Flexible Part Feeding with Graco's G-Flex™ 1500 Feeder and FANUC Robots

Founded in 1926 Graco is a leading global manufacturer of fluid handling systems and components.

This video features Graco's latest flexible parts feeding solution -- The Graco G-Flex™ 1500 Feeder. This uniquely designed system from Graco delivers feeding for a wide range of part sizes and shapes in a stand-alone, easy-to-integrate package. The G-Flex comes pre-configured to meet most applications and requires minimal interface -- Simply connect power and one PLC input.

This system uses FANUC's LR Mate Series robot for part handling. FANUC robots provide the speed, precision and reliability required for handling these small parts. The system also utilizes FANUC iRVision to locate parts on the fly. These vision-guided FANUC robots allow the system the distinctive ability to feed different components in multiple sizes and geometries. Additionally, the G-Flex has an extremely high tolerance for parts that are contaminated, including machining chips or oily parts.

Once G-Flex is set up, an operator can load nearly any small to medium size part into the large hopper. Parts are dispensed on-demand to the feeder table that recirculates parts into the FANUC Robot's field of view. This feeder table is run through a programmable platform that shakes automatically, continually feeding almost any shaped item. Integrated controls on the G-Flex allow for fully adjustable vibration magnitude, giving the operator control over part speed and movement. Active feedback from table to controller automatically adjusts vibration frequency as more or less weight is added to the table. Through teaching, the FANUC robot is able to locate and recognize exactly how to implement each assembly part.

Graco's G-Flex™ 1500 Feeder system, along with the use of FANUC robots for small to medium part handling make this unit a flexible, efficient assembly process for numerous applications. To learn more about this innovative feeder solution from Graco, please visit www.graco.com/g-flex.