The cell will feature a FANUC LR Mate 200iD human arm sized mini robot, with both 2D and 3D iRVision technology. The LR Mate 200iD robot will pick and place a ball, and then putt the ball accurately – achieving a hole-in-one every time.

Equipped with a Schunk tool changer and 3D iRVision sensors, the robot will first select a vacuum gripper and then pick up a ball from the bin to drop on to the green. Having placed the ball on the green, the robot will change its end effector to a golf club.

Before taking a swing, the iRVision colour 2D camera detects the colour of ball to determine the direction of the putt – one colour ball is putted to the base of the windmill and another colour ball is projected through the windmill then into the FANUC lettering. Using the robot’s eyes, the ball is accurately struck – achieving a hole-in-one. The complete golf cell is under the control of a FANUC high performance R-30iB robot controller – the robot’s brain.

The LR Mate 200iD is said to be the lightest mechanical unit in its class, and is easy to integrate into a machine cell either upright or mounted upside down on the machine frame. A high rigidity arm and advanced servo technology enable smooth motion without vibration, even in high-speed operations. Special models are available to meet the demanding environmental requirements of food, wash-down, cleanroom and arc welding applications.

The FANUC golf cell will feature on stand K90 in the robot area, and is one of five pick & place and palletising robots being showcased by FANUC at PPMA – Stand C50.