Omron has enhanced its Sysmac NJ machine automation platform, giving it the power to control up to eight robots without needing dedicated separate control hardware. The platform, launched last year, can integrate and co-ordinate the operation of the robots with other machine functions, and with a special pick-and-place vision system.

Omron has also released its first delta (tripod-shaped) robot to accompany its earlier Scara devices. The new delta robots can perform 200 pick-and-place cycles per minute. The Ethernet-based Sysmac network is said to be able to maintain a 1ms cycle time, even if it is controlling four delta robots – or 2ms if it is controlling eight.

Omron has also developed new function blocks especially for robot duties. One, for example, moves a robot to an XYZ position within a defined time. Another monitors robot positions and velocities.