FANUC Launches M-1000/550F-46A Robot for Heavy-Duty Industrial Applications

FANUC is expanding its range of M-1000 high-performance heavy-payload industrial robots with the addition of the M-1000/550F-46A extra-long reach model. Designed to meet the needs of automotive ‘giga casting’, among other heavy-duty applications, this large six-axis articulated-arm robot has a 550 kg payload and an impressive reach of 4.6 m. It also delivers best-in-class speeds for a robot with this reach.

Growing numbers of auto manufacturers are moulding large, single-piece aluminium body structures using a process known commonly as giga casting or mega casting. Giga casting, like many heavy-engineering tasks, increasingly involves the handling of large workpieces. This trend is fuelling demand for robots with high-payload capacity, long reach and a strong wrist.

The new M-1000/550F-46A with its 4.6 m reach is 40 % longer than the 3.3 m of the existing M-1000𝑖A. Any application that requires extracting a heavy or large workpiece from deep inside a machine or press, for example, will benefit from a high-payload robot with extra-long reach.

A long reach and high payload means an ultra-strong wrist is also essential, not just for heavy components, but also to handle large workpieces whose centre of gravity is far from the gripping position. The robustly designed, IP67-rated wrist of the new the M-1000/550F-46A is complemented by a high-rigidity robot body design, with the J2 arm supported on both sides.

FANUC’s new M-1000/550F-46A features the serial link design common of the M-1000 range. Serial link means there is no interference of the main J3 arm with the J2 arm due to the absence of a supporting mechanism present in the parallel-link configuration typical of heavy-payload robots. The serial link design thus provides a much wider range of motion and more versatility with smaller floor space requirements.

Further supporting a large work envelope without the need of significant floor space is the J3 arm’s ability to stand upright and flip over backwards. In effect, the robot can reach from one side to the opposite side without performing a 180° movement of the J1 axis, delivering faster cycle times. Further uses in the automotive sector of the versatile M-1000/550F-46A include the handling of battery units, while this multipurpose robot can also undertake a broad range of heavy-payload, long-reach handling applications in other industries.

The M-1000/550F-46A utilises the new FANUC R-50𝑖A series robot controller as standard, introducing a number of intelligent features in support of smart factory initiatives.

FANUC will present the M-1000/550F-46A at the forthcoming EMO 2025 exhibition in Hanover on 22-26 September. At Stand D30 in Hall 6, visitors will see for themselves the new robot handling an automotive giga-cast chassis part.

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