FANUC FANUC Robot Applications & End-of-Arm Tooling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of the FANUC Line Tracking feature in a conveyor-fed assembly application?
- It allows the robot to synchronize its motion with a moving conveyor and perform operations on parts without stopping the line (Correct answer)
- It maps the conveyor layout for safety zone calculation
- It detects conveyor belt speed for maintenance alerts
- It controls the conveyor speed from the robot controller
Correct answer: It allows the robot to synchronize its motion with a moving conveyor and perform operations on parts without stopping the line
FANUC Line Tracking uses an encoder on the conveyor to synchronize the robot's motion with the belt, enabling pick-and-place or assembly operations on continuously moving parts.
Question 2: In FANUC laser cutting or seam tracking applications, what is the role of the laser displacement sensor?
- To measure the workpiece surface profile in real time and adjust the torch or nozzle standoff distance (Correct answer)
- To detect part presence on the fixture
- To measure ambient light for vision calibration
- To set the robot's joint zero position
Correct answer: To measure the workpiece surface profile in real time and adjust the torch or nozzle standoff distance
A laser displacement sensor continuously measures the distance from the robot's tool to the workpiece surface, and the controller uses this data to maintain a consistent standoff height.
Question 3: Which FANUC robot model is classified as a collaborative robot (cobot) rated for direct human contact without a safety fence?
- CR series (e.g., CR-7iA, CR-35iA) (Correct answer)
- M-20iB series
- R-2000iC series
- ARC Mate 100iD
Correct answer: CR series (e.g., CR-7iA, CR-35iA)
FANUC's CR series robots are designed for collaborative operation, featuring rounded covers, force-limiting safety functions, and ISO/TS 15066 compliance for contact with people.
Question 4: When programming a FANUC robot for machine tending, what signal convention is used to indicate the robot's gripper has a part and is ready to load the CNC?
- A dedicated DO (digital output) sent to the CNC, often called a 'Part Present' or 'Robot Ready' signal (Correct answer)
- An analog voltage proportional to grip force
- A PROFIBUS status byte reserved field
- A hardcoded timer delay replacing handshake signals
Correct answer: A dedicated DO (digital output) sent to the CNC, often called a 'Part Present' or 'Robot Ready' signal
A digital output from the FANUC robot to the CNC machine indicates part-present and robot-ready status, forming the handshake that authorizes the CNC to begin its cycle.
Question 5: What is the primary advantage of using a servo-driven gripper versus a pneumatic gripper on a FANUC robot?
- Servo grippers provide programmable force and position control, enabling precise grip force adjustment for different parts (Correct answer)
- Servo grippers are lighter and require no electrical connections
- Servo grippers have faster open/close speeds for all applications
- Servo grippers eliminate the need for a tool changer
Correct answer: Servo grippers provide programmable force and position control, enabling precise grip force adjustment for different parts
Servo-driven grippers allow the robot program to set exact grip force and finger position for each part type, which is impossible with fixed-pressure pneumatic grippers.
Question 6: In FANUC material removal (deburring) applications, which software feature compensates for tool wear and keeps consistent contact force on the part surface?
- Force Control (FANUC Force Sensor) with constant-force motion (Correct answer)
- Joint limit override
- Payload identification routine
- Constant velocity override (OVR) setting
Correct answer: Force Control (FANUC Force Sensor) with constant-force motion
FANUC's Force Control software, using wrist-mounted F/T sensor feedback, maintains a user-defined constant contact force even as the deburring tool wears down.
FANUC FANUC Robot Applications & End-of-Arm Tooling 2
What is the function of the FANUC Line Tracking feature in a conveyor-fed assembly application?