Kuka releases ‘one of the strongest and fastest delta robots on the market’

Kuka has released a new delta robot, the KR 3 D1200, which is specially designed for pick-and-place of foodstuffs, among other applications, and carries up to 6 kg at high speed.

Part of the Kuka Hygienic Oil (HO) portfolio, the new KR 3 D1200 performs various pick-and-place tasks at “previously unattainable speeds” with maximum precision, according to Kuka, which adds that it now moves up to 6 kg of food, medicine or electronic parts.

Although the KR 3 D1200 has a rated payload of 3 kg, it is designed for loads of up to 6 kg. This makes it “one of the strongest delta robots on the market”.

The small footprint with a diameter of 350 millimeters makes ceiling mounting space-saving and efficient. The robot has a reach of 1,200 millimeters and a vertical working range of 350 millimeters.

With a position repeatability of +/- 0.1 millimeters and an angular repeatability of +/- 0.2°, the KR 3 D1200 works very precisely.

The new KR Delta has “unprecedented speed”, says Kuka. In the small adept cycle and with a load of one kg, the cycle time is less than 0.32 seconds.

To avoid downtimes, the KR Delta has been designed to be particularly low-maintenance. Encapsulated gears with lifetime lubrication and self-lubricating ball joints help to ensure that the Kuka robot can always perform.

The fact that it is made mainly of carbon fiber makes it particularly light and robust. As a result, it impresses with low costs for care and maintenance and maximum productivity.

When handling foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals, the new KR 3 D1200 displays further strengths: It contains food-safe H1 lubricants as standard, which qualifies it for handling foodstuffs in secondary applications.

In particular, dry, packaged products such as chocolate, bread or sweets are in good hands with it. For direct contact with raw foods, that is the primary sector of this industry, the “older brother”, the delta robot KR 3 D1200 HM (Hygienic Machine), launched in 2021, is suitable.

Even under the most sensitive conditions, such as those encountered in the raw processing of meat or cheese, the KR Delta in the HM version promises excellent hygiene.

A combination of the two KR Delta variants can bring many companies in the food industry a significant step forward. Compared to the KR 3 D1200 HM with its stainless steel body, the new delta robot, made mainly of carbon fiber, is considerably lighter and thus also about a third faster.

It impresses with a larger cylindrical work envelope and a lower price, adds Kuka.