Material Handling Robots

Interested in robotic part transfer solutions?

FANUC America offers its experienced team to help solve the most complex automation challenges for any size business.

Solutions for Robotic Handling of Parts

Need to move some parts? FANUC America offers an extensive lineup of material handling robots. These robots are equipped with iRVision and are capable of high speed transfer in a well-optimized system. With everything available from compact robot models designed to work in sensitive environments to heavy-duty robots, finding a material handling robot to suit your needs is easy.

From pick and place to dispensing, palletizing, packaging, part transfer, machine tending or assembly, automated material handling solutions are available to meet every need. FANUC America and our Authorized System Integrator Network work at any scale, supplying easy-to-use standalone solutions or fully integrated systems that automate every material handling process from front to end of line. Robotic handling solutions maximize your productivity by increasing throughput and extending operating times.

FANUC M-2000iA Robot transfers part for sand mold coating

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System Integration Solutions in Manufacturing

For a truly integrated machining solution, partner your FANUC robot with FANUC CNCs or General Motion Controls. With streamlined communications and the industry's best reliability, nothing beats a truly automated machining system from FANUC.

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Power Motion i

Looking for precision motion control in material handling applications? Let FANUC’s Power Motion i handle all your complex motion control needs! Offering powerful CNC and PLC technology together, PMi is more versatile than just a PLC, perfect for tasks involving multiple axes, paths, speeds and torque controls.

Learn more about PMi

Types of Material Handling Equipment Available from FANUC

FANUC is a leading handling robots supplier, offering a wide variety of material handling equipment types to meet your specific needs. From compact solutions to larger, heavy-lifting handling autonomous robots for material handling, FANUC has the perfect solution for your application.

Cobots

Our collaborative robots are easy to use and have a small footprint, making them perfect for easy applications like part orientation or palletizing. These handling robots can also be used in more sensitive environments as they do not require guarding. Cobots are easy to use, flexible, and require no guarding, offering a simple solution for your material handling needs.

Learn more about Cobots

SCARAs

FANUC offers a wide variety of SCARA robots perfect for laning, separating product from bowl feeders, and other material handling applications. These SCARA robots are available in payload capacities from 3kg to 20kg, making them perfect for a variety of tasks such as:

Pick and Place
Assembly
Testing
Inspection
Packaging

Learn more about SCARA

Mid-Range Robots

Our mid-range robots, like the M-10 and M-20, are perfect for material handling and machine tending applications, especially in fulfillment cells. For processes like inductions and product positioning, these lightweight robots are great for material handling applications involving medium payloads (up to 35kg).

Larger Payload Robots

For heavy lifting applications, another type of material handling equipment FANUC offers is larger payload robots with increased payload capacities. Our larger payload robots are perfect for heavy-duty material handling applications, managing up to 2300kg. We offer the strongest 6 axis robot on the market as well as other robots capable of handling the most labor-intensive, challenging tasks.

Advantages of Using An Automated Material Handling System

Safety Consistency & Repeatability Accuracy Efficiency Labor Management

Safety

Integrating automated solutions into your facility can ensure safe material handling processes. Automated systems can help to prevent accidents by reducing the need for human intervention in tedious and potentially-dangerous tasks.

Consistency & Repeatability

A well-designed automated material handling system can provide consistent and repeatable results. This is especially important in applications where precision is critical, such as when working with small parts.

Accuracy

Eliminating the need for manual handling can help to improve the accuracy of your material handling process. Automated systems can place components with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the likelihood of errors.

Efficiency

Leveraging automated solutions can help to streamline your material handling process and increase efficiency. Automated systems can work around the clock, ensuring that tasks are completed quickly and efficiently without putting additional strain on your workforce.

Labor Management

Maintaining a workforce to handle material handling tasks can be costly. One of the advantages of handling robots is that you can cut labor costs by limiting the need for manual labor in certain applications, limiting the number of human workers you need to manage these tasks and reducing the risk of costly human error in the process.

Advantages of Using An Automated Material Handling System

Material handling is a critical part of any manufacturing process. By adopting automation and robot applications for material handling tasks, you can improve your productivity and efficiency while also reducing costs. Here are some of the advantages of using automated material handling systems:

Robotic Material Handling Systems

To improve your productivity and efficiency in the material handling process, consider integrating robotic automation into your system. The goal of any effective materials-handling system is to:

Reduce or eliminate material handling costs
Improve inventory control and order accuracy
Enhance customer service through faster order turnaround times
Improve worker safety and ergonomics

A robotic handling system can help you achieve these goals by automating the tasks of picking, placing, and moving materials throughout your facility. Robotic systems are especially well-suited for tasks that are tedious, dangerous, or physically demanding, such as lifting heavy objects or working in tight spaces.

Robotic Material Handling Application Videos

Robotic Material Handling of Rubber Bales

Courtesy of Sage Automation

Robotic Glass Handling & Packing

Courtesy of QComp Technologies

What to Consider When Selecting an Automated Material Handling System

When deciding to integrate a new material handling system, consider the following factors before making a purchase to ensure you choose the best fit.

Payload and Speed Requirements

The first thing to consider is the payload and speed requirements of your application. The payload is the weight of the material that needs to be moved, and the speed is the rate at which it needs to be moved. It's important to choose a system that can handle the payload of your application while still meeting your speed requirements.

Necessary End-of-Arm Tools

You will also need to consider the types of material handling robots tools that will be required for your specific application. End-of-arm tools are used to grasp, lift, and move materials, but there are other specialized tools available, as well.

Materials Being Handled

Lighter materials can be handled with less powerful robots, while heavier materials will require a more robust system. You will also need to consider the size and shape of the materials being handled.

FANUC offers a number of automated material handling robots capable of handling different payloads and tasks; our material handling experts will work with you to determine the best solution for your operation.

Facility Layout and Available Space

Mapping out your current facility layout and available space is important to ensure that the system you select will fit into your facility. You will also need to consider the amount of space required for any ancillary equipment, such as conveyors or sorting systems.

Labor Needs and Worker Safety

Hiring and retaining a dedicated workforce is a persistent, costly challenge. By automating your material handling processes, you can reduce labor costs by eliminating the need for manual handling in certain applications. When you automate physically-demanding, tedious tasks, you also improve worker safety, making your facility a more appealing place to work.

Material Handling Automation Capabilities

When deciding to integrate automated material handling equipment, you will need to consider the best fit for your needs when it comes to what these machines can do. Developments in automation and robotic technologies make it possible for a robotic material handling system to effectively accomplish a number of critical tasks, such as:

Pick and Place

One of the most basic and essential tasks that can be completed with a material handling robot is pick and place. Part picking and placing simply involves picking up an object from one location and placing it in another. Part picking robots can achieve the high standards of speed, reliability, and accuracy that are expected from these processes today.

If you are interested in efficient part handling and pick & place solutions, our pick and place robots may be right for you.

Dispensing and Sealing

Automating dispensing and sealing tasks with robotic material handling equipment will improve the efficiency, precision, and accuracy of these processes. From dispensing glue and epoxy for smaller jobs to applying automotive seam sealer, FANUC robots are capable of enhancing these tasks in a precise and repeatable manner for optimal performance.

Palletizing

Packing and unpacking tasks, such as palletizing and de-palletizing, can also be completed efficiently with material handling robots.

When considering a palletizing robot for part handling, be sure to consider the following:

Payload (including the weight of your end of arm tool, dressout, and product)
Reach
Duty
Cycle time
Floor space

Packaging

In industries like e-commerce, automatic handling and packaging lines can be immensely beneficial when it comes to increasing throughput without jeopardizing accuracy, precision, and quality.

Material handling robots can be used for a variety of packaging applications, such as:

Filling containers
Applying labels
Assembling boxes
Erecting cartons
Sealing bags
Shrink wrapping products

Part Transfer

Maintaining a continuous flow of materials throughout your facility is essential to keeping your production process moving. Another material handling application of robots is part transfers; using robots for this task can help to ensure that materials are transferred quickly and efficiently to where they need to go.

Assembly

Robots can also be used to complete simple assembly tasks such as inserting fasteners or joining components. Automating these simple tasks can save time, cut labor costs, and reduce the risk of error.

The Role of Material Handling in Logistics

Material handling involves the movement of materials throughout the supply chain, from the time they are received at the facility until they are shipped out. Enhancing material handling and logistics processes can be achieved through the application of handling robots and automated solutions.

Material handling can have a major impact on your overall logistics operation. Inefficient material handling can lead to:

Delays in production
Increased labor costs
Damage to materials
Loss of product

The benefits of automating your material handling process can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your overall logistics operation. Automating tasks that are time-consuming, physically demanding, or dangerous can help to improve productivity and safety while reducing labor costs.

Enhance your logistics operations with automated material handling solutions from FANUC

Manual Material Handling Vs Robot Material Handling

There are benefits to both manual and automated material handling systems. When deciding what material handling services are best for your needs, you will need to consider a number of factors, such as:

The type of materials being handled
The size and weight of the materials
The frequency of the task
The layout of your facility
The number of workers required
The safety of the workers
System costs and your budget

Manual material handling systems are typically less expensive than automated systems. However, robotic material handling systems can be more efficient than a manual approach, and they require fewer workers to operate. Material handling robot applications can also be safer for workers, as they are often designed to keep workers at a safe distance from moving parts.

Material Handling Robots Industry Applications

Automated material handling systems are used in a variety of industries to improve productivity and efficiency. Some of the most common applications of robots in material handling include:

Aerospace

The aerospace industry uses industrial material handling equipment to move parts and assemblies around the factory floor, reducing the strain on workers and simplifying the task of maneuvering heavy payloads.

Automated material handling systems can also be used to complete assembly tasks that require consistent precision and accuracy to meet performance standards. Automated material handling systems can improve the efficiency of aerospace manufacturing operations by reducing the need for manual labor while also improving safety by keeping workers at a safe distance from moving parts.

Automotive

Carmakers use material handling robotics to move materials throughout the production process. These systems can be used to transport materials from one workstation to another, or to move parts and components from one assembly line to another for efficient assembly.

Consumer Goods

The production of consumer goods must be efficient and consistent to ensure companies operate a competitive, sustainable business. With robotic handling systems, producers of consumer goods can achieve the highest level of production in applications like packaging to ensure they fulfill consumer needs.

E-Commerce

The e-commerce industry has seen a dramatic increase in the use of automated material handling systems in recent years. These systems are used to move products throughout the distribution center and can be customized to meet the specific needs of the e-commerce industry.

As the most common applications for e-commerce material handling robots, picking, packing, packaging, and shipping processes can all be improved upon through automation, increasing the efficiency and speed of order fulfillment to meet growing consumer demand.

Energy

Fossil fuel and renewable energy companies alike use automated material handling systems to move materials efficiently and safely. In the energy industry, robot material handling systems can be used to transport materials from one workstation to another, or to move parts and components from one assembly line to another.

Food & Beverage

Food and beverage production and distribution companies use robotic material handling systems to automate processes like picking and packing as well as depalletizing, enhancing the efficiency of these tasks and ensuring that products meet safety and quality standards.

FANUC is proud to offer a food-grade stainless steel robot specifically designed to pick and pack food products while meeting USDA and FDA food safety standards.

Warehousing

Maintaining an efficient and effective inventory management system is essential for any business that relies on warehousing to store their products. Automated material handling in warehouse environments makes it easy to store, sort, retrieve, and transfer products without increasing labor costs. Using robots and automation solutions for material handling in warehouse facilities will enhance efficiency and productivity while also boosting customer satisfaction as a result of fewer errors and faster output.

Improve your warehouse material handling systems with FANUC robots today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is material handling?

Material handling involves the movement of materials from one point to another within a production facility. It can involve the movement of raw materials, parts, and finished products. Material handling processes are present in a number of environments and industries; warehouse material handling, for example, refers to the movement of products stored in and retrieved from a warehouse.
What is material handling equipment?

Material handling equipment is any type of equipment that is used to move materials from one point to another. This includes everything from conveyor belts to cranes, forklifts, and robots.
How do robots promote safe material handling?

Robots can actually help to promote safe material handling in the workplace. By automating the movement of materials, robots can help to reduce the risk of injury to workers.
What are the goals of material handling?

The goals of material handling are to safely and accurately move materials, parts, products, and/or packages throughout a facility. You can enhance your material handling system with robots and automation to improve productivity and efficiency in your facility while also promoting worker safety.
How can I improve the efficiency of my material handling system?
There are a few ways you can improve how your material handling system performs. An automated handling system is one of the best ways to increase efficiency and productivity, but you can also take the following steps:
- Use robots to move materials from one point to another
- Customize the system to meet the specific needs of your business
- Implement an inventory management system to keep track of materials
- Train workers on how to safely and efficiently use the material handling

FANUC America: Providing Your Modern Material Handling Solutions

FANUC America is a leading supplier of material handling technology including robotics and other automation solutions. We offer a wide range of products and services to help you optimize your production process and improve your bottom line.

Material Handling Robots

Applications

Solutions for Robotic Handling of Parts

System Integration Solutions in Manufacturing

Power Motion i

Types of Material Handling Equipment Available from FANUC

Cobots

SCARAs

Mid-Range Robots

Larger Payload Robots

Advantages of Using An Automated Material Handling System

Safety

Consistency & Repeatability

Accuracy

Efficiency

Labor Management

Advantages of Using An Automated Material Handling System

Robotic Material Handling Systems

Robotic Material Handling Application Videos

Robotic Material Handling of Rubber Bales

Robotic Glass Handling & Packing

What to Consider When Selecting an Automated Material Handling System

Payload and Speed Requirements

Necessary End-of-Arm Tools

Materials Being Handled

Facility Layout and Available Space

Labor Needs and Worker Safety

Get in Touch With Our Team to Get Started Today

Material Handling Automation Capabilities

Pick and Place

Dispensing and Sealing

Palletizing

Packaging

Part Transfer

Assembly

The Role of Material Handling in Logistics

Manual Material Handling Vs Robot Material Handling

Material Handling Robots Industry Applications

Aerospace

Automotive

Consumer Goods

E-Commerce

Energy

Food & Beverage

Warehousing

Frequently Asked Questions

FANUC America: Providing Your Modern Material Handling Solutions

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