Yamaha Robotics Releases New Robot Controller Option RCX3-SMU

June 13, 2024 Thom R

Providing safety features certified by a third party, including speed and area monitoring functions.

Yamaha Robotics announced today that it will release the functional safety option unit RCX3-SMU for SCARA robots and Cartesian robots with three or more axes controlled by the robot controller RCX340 in June of this year.

As demand for industrial robots expands against the backdrop of labor shortages, rising labor costs, and the need for advanced automation in new fields such as IoT/CASE, safety requirements for industrial robots are also increasing.

The RCX3-SMU has been certified for functional safety by the certification body TÜV SÜD and is equipped with safety functions that comply with the robot safety standard ISO 10218-1. The STO function, SS1 function and speed monitoring function, etc. support the design of safe equipment.

Yamaha Robotics is a comprehensive small robot system supplier that offers a wide range of products, including linear conveyors, single-axis robots, SCARA robots, vision systems, and controllers used in automated production lines. The company works to provide the best solutions to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

Robot controller option RCX3-SMU (left) and robot controller RCX340

Main safety features of RCX3-SMU

1) STO (Safe Torque Off) function

The built-in main power supply (power supply for driving the motor) switch circuit cuts off the power supply to the controller. (=Safe state)

2) SS1 (Safe Stop 1) function

Monitors the robot’s deceleration and stopping status. If the robot stops, or does not decelerate at the appropriate deceleration rate or time, this function executes the STO function and transitions the process to a safe state.

3) Speed monitoring function (SLS)

Monitors the speed of the robot. If the set speed is exceeded, the SS1 function is executed.

4) Area monitoring function (SLP)

The robot’s Cartesian coordinate position and motor pulse position are monitored. If the setting range is exceeded, the SS1 function will be executed.

5) Safety input function

Monitors the status of the safety input port. The SS1 function is executed according to the status of the safety input port and the safety input function (emergency stop, mode select, manual mode protection stop, etc.) set for each port.

6) Safety output function

Each safety output port outputs the set internal state (emergency stop state, safe state, etc.)

Basic Specifications

Basic Specifications	Name	RCX3-SMU
	Type	Speed monitoring unit
	Supported Controller	RCX340-S (RCX3-SMU compatible) *YC-Link/E not supported
	Target robots	Standard robots with three or more axes that can be connected to the RCX340 (Not compatible with some multi-robots, etc.)
	Maximum number of monitored axes	4 axes
	Maximum number of monitored robots	1 robot
	Dimensions (W x H x D mm)	W155mm×H195mm×D130mm
	Main unit weight	2.6kg
	Cooling Method	Forced Air Cooling
	Power supply	INPUT Single-phase 200-230V ± 10% 50/ 60Hz, Min0.3A Max12.7A OUTPUT Single-phase 200-230V ± 10% 50/ 60Hz, Max12.5A
Input/Output Interface	Indicator	STATUS/ALARM/BEAT
	Power supply for safety I/O	Input COMMON×1 Output COMMON x 1
	Safety Input	Emergency stop/Automatic mode/Manual mode/General purpose x 4
	Safety Output	General purpose x 2
Built-in	Safety Circuit	Main power switch circuit
	Noise filter	Built-in noise filter
	Surge Absorber	Built-in surge absorber