Industrial robotics
Kuka wants to enter the 3C market
At the Hannover Messe, Kuka presented the KR 3, the most compact model in its Agilus family of small robots to date. With this robot, the Augsburg-based company wants to enter a new market environment: electronics production.
The KR 3 is Kuka's response to the upheaval in parts of the Chinese electronics manufacturing industry, among other things.
© KukaCompared to the smallest model in the Agilus series to date, the KR 6 with a load capacity of 6 kg, the KR 3 is even more compact. It weighs around 26 kg, has a footprint of approx. 180 x 180 mm² and can move loads of up to 3 kg within a radius of 540 mm. It was designed by KUKA to take over all the essential work steps in small parts assembly - including gripping, inserting, gluing, soldering, testing and checking. According to Stefan Lampa, CEO of Kuka Roboter, the model is currently the fastest robot in the 3 kg payload range.
(from left) Frank Klingemann, Managing Director Kuka Systems; Christian Schlögel, Chief Technical Officer Kuka Roboter; Stefan Lampa, Chairman Managing Director Kuka Roboter; Till Reuter, CEO Kuka; Katrin Stuber-Koeppe, Press Spokeswoman Kuka.
© Markus Haller, ElectronicsTogether with CEO Dr. Till Reuter, Lampa explained in Hanover the major goal that Kuka is pursuing with the small robot. The KR 3 is the first robot from the Augsburg-based manufacturer that is suitable for the production of 3C components and assemblies (computer, communication and consumer electronics).
Due to the emerging upheaval in China, those responsible at Kuka now believe the time has come to serve this market. The majority of all 3C products are manufactured in China - until now often by hand. "Chinese factory owners are now looking for robots for electronics production," explains Lampa. With the additional sales generated by the KR 3 and the further expansion of business in Asia, the Augsburg-based company plans to increase its turnover in the Chinese robot market from the current EUR 450 million to EUR 1 billion by 2020.
There is no official list price for the KR 3 yet, but it will definitely be under €24,000, Lampa assured. The KR 3 is not a collaborative robot, such as the two-armed small robot YuMi from the manufacturer ABB (list price €36,000), which has recently made a name for itself, but is designed for the rapid completion of monotonous work steps and works behind a protective grid.
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