F3 Robot System

Designed for light payload applications, the F3 provides an articulated robot arm with six degrees of freedom and a powerful, multitasking controller. Typical applications for the F3 include machine loading, dispensing, polishing, deburring, cutting, drilling, trimming, and a wide range of factory floor processes.

The arm of the Thermo Scientific F3 Robot System communicates with its external controller, sensors and other devices along a dedicated communication network, eliminating the masses of wires required by traditional robots. The robot system amplifiers are integrated inside the arm, making the arm immune to electromagnetic interference.

The arm uses brushless motors built directly into the robotic arm to improve heat flow characteristics and to decrease the overall size of the arm.

Absolute encoders enable the F3 to be turned on and ready to go in mere seconds. The F3 arm can store position data for up to eight weeks, even if the robot and controller are disconnected.

The arm's tool flange allows easy mounting of a variety of end effectors, including grippers, dispensers, or deburring tools.

The Thermo Scientific C500C controller features include a true multitasking operating system, a sophisticated trajectory planner, 16 digital inputs, 12 digital outputs, one analog input, four relay outputs, two serial ports, an emergency stop button, and support for an optional Thermo Scientific Teach Pendant.

Programming the Thermo Scientific F3 Robot System is easy, using either our powerful RAPL-3 robot application development language supplied standard with the C500C controller, or Thermo Scientific ActiveRobot^TM, the optional ActiveX programming component for Microsoft Windows.

Features

• Six degrees of freedom
• 360° workspace
• DC brushless motors
• Absolute encoders in each joint, which retain homing and position information
• High stiffness harmonic drives
• End of arm connections include the following:
  • Connections for optional Pneumatic and Server Grippers
  • Dual-acting pneumatic solenoid
  • Optional four digital inputs and four digital outputs
• Releasable brakes on joints 1, 2, and 3
• ISO standard tool flange
• Safety beacon
• Thermo Scientific C500C controller with the following:
  • Thermo Scientific CROS multitasking operating system
  • Thermo Scientific RAPL-3 programming language
  • General purpose I/O (GPIO) with 16 digital inputs and 12 digital outputs
  • Two serial ports
  • Console port
  • SYSIO port for connecting additional E-stops and devices that mimic the front panel push buttons and LEDs
  • Teach pendant connector
• Options:
  • Thermo Scientific ActiveRobot application development software for Microsoft Windows
  • Thermo Scientific Linear Track for seventh degree of freedom
  • Thermo Scientific Servo Gripper
  • Thermo Scientific Pneumatic Gripper
  • Thermo Scientific Teach Pendant
  • Thermo Scientific GPIO Termination Block
  • Thermo Scientific Force Control Kit

Benefits

• Six degrees of freedom allow you to accurately position the tool flange at any point within the workspace, from any orientation.
• Absolute encoders in each joint allow precise positioning of the robot arm and retain homing information during power shutdown, eliminating the need to home the robot on power-up.
• Arm-mounted amplifiers perform diagnostic functions and reduce susceptibility to electromagnetic interference.
• Dual-acting pneumatic solenoid prevents the optional Thermo Scientific Pneumatic Gripper from dropping an object when power is removed.
• Releasable brakes on joints one, two, and three prevent the joints from moving or falling under the influence of gravity or inertia when power is removed, yet allow the operator to manually move the joints to reposition the arm.
• ISO standard tool flange allows a wide range of end of arm tools to be used.
• Safety beacon alerts operators when the robot arm is powered and is capable of moving.
• Thermo Scientific C500C Controller:
  • Thermo Scientific CROS multitasking operating system provides powerful, flexible control for total work cell automation
  • Easy to learn, yet sophisticated Thermo Scientific RAPL-3 programming language speeds development of controller-based applications.
  • 16 digital inputs and 12 digital outputs enable the controller to monitor or control external hardware.
  • Two serial ports enable the controller to communicate with other devices in the workcell, such as vision systems.
• Options:
  • Thermo Scientific ActiveRobot speeds development of PC-based applications
  • Thermo Scientific Pneumatic Gripper provides reliable, air-controlled gripping of objects.
  • Thermo Scientific Servo Gripper provides accurate positional and force control when gripping objects.
  • Thermo Scientific Teach Pendant speeds teaching and simplifies operation.
  • Thermo Scientific GPIO Termination Block extends the controller GPIO port to a termination block for easier access.
  • Thermo Scientific Linear track provides an extra degree of freedom in either an upright or inverted position.
  • Thermo Scientific Force Control Kit enables the arm to detect forces and torques

Work Range and Speed