RobotWorx mainly deals with the designing and marketing of robotic systems for industrial automation. On this occasion, the company was involved in introducing robotic technology to the students at the Pennsylvania High School. They were approached by the authorities of the Chambersburg Area High School in southern Pennsylvania for purchasing a small industrial robot for using it as a teaching aid.
Jim Shaffer, Ray Setaro, and Jon Seaman programming a FANUC ArcMate 50iL industrial robo
One of the teachers of industrial safety, electronics and automation robotics at the School had approached RobotWorx for buying the FANUC ArcMate 50iL robot arm, which they could use in their school for introducing general and automated welding programming concepts to their students. The teachers at the school were united in their opinion that the US requires a workforce that has a strong technical background and that the current demand at the industrial units is a need for high-end technical workers. The FANUC ArcMate robot series is mainly used in high-precision welding and cutting applications. The robot comes with advanced features such as electric-servo driven motor, integrated gas and air lines housed inside the robot and smooth point to point motion. The robotic arm has six-axes and a payload capacity of 6 kg and a horizontal reach of 1368 mm. The robot’s arm can be mounted vertically, at an angle and also inverted on the wall.
The robots that have been used so far in schools for the introduction of robotic concepts are limited to those that are capable of navigating through mazes and performing other simple tasks. This is the first time an industrial robot has been chosen for use as a teaching aid in schools.