Mitsubishi Electric launched its first MELFA ASSISTA collaborative robot today. The 6-axis RV-5AS-D offers positioning accuracies as low as ±0.02mm (0.007 in), a reach of 900mm (35.43 in) and a payload of 5kg (11.02 lbs). Other Mitsubishi cobots could be coming down the line.

The RV-5AS-D, which complies with the international safety and robotic standards ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS15066, features a Windows-based environment, called RT Visual, for programming its actions. The software allows non-expert users to drag-and-drop icons to define the movements of the arm, and to simulate operations in 3D before the robot actually performs them.

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Movements for the cobot can be taught and recorded via a dedicated control panel on the cobot’s arm, doing away with conventional teach pendants. Mitsubishi said this control panel and programming interface enable even inexperienced users to set up the system with ease.

The RV-5AS-D also offers a direct control mode, which is similar to the “teach mode” other cobots have offered. Mitsubishi said users can manipulate the arm into position by hand with controlled force. This position can be stored and added to a motion sequence or attributed to a command without needing to open the programming tools.

A six-color LED ring that encircles the robot’s forearm provides a visual indication of its current status. Each color identifies a different mode of operation, alarms or faults. An on-arm keypad can be used to start and stop the robot, to reset errors, or to teach it tasks.

The MELFA ASSISTA series cobots can optionally use NSF H1 food-grade lubricant approved by the U.S. National Sanitation Foundation for the production of food & beverage products.