Yaskawa Motoman announced the MLX200 Robot Gateway – the newest PLC control platform for Motoman® robots. MLX200 enables the control of robots entirely through the Rockwell Automation ControlLogix® and CompactLogix™ Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC). 

“MLX200 brings the unified controls architecture concept to reality. If conveyors, sealers, wrappers and most packaging equipment are controlled through PAC ladder logic and Rockwell Automation platforms, then robots should not be any different,” says Roger Christian, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “With MLX200, robots are maintenance staff-friendly as troubleshooting of the entire system happens in one place, in one language. Multiple programming languages are no longer required.” 

MLX200 enhances the previous MLX100 technology by optimizing the robot motion software; it now consumes significantly less PAC resources, while improving the capability of scheduling algorithms for line-tracking applications, and now includes control through the CompactLogix platform. 

“The MLX200 Robot Gateway not only strengthens our product line and commitment to the consumer packaging industry, but it also enables seamless robotics integration throughout the production line,” said Shishir Rege, Product Marketing Manager, Consumer Product Goods. “We are excited about the MLX200’s ability to enhance the application development experience with its unified controls architecture.” 

“MLX200 is our unique approach to making unified controls architecture a reality. It combines the strength of Rockwell Automation Programmable Automation Controllers for logic and control with Yaskawa’s advanced kinematics and robot manipulators,” adds Chetan Kapoor, Senior Technology Director. 

A multitude of applications (including those requiring vision guidance and line tracking) are possible through the MLX200 platform, including assembly, part transfer, picking, sorting, kitting, case packing, palletizing and de-palletizing. Select Motoman robots (4-7 axis; 5-300 kg payload) are offered with the MLX200 Robot Gateway. Any combination of the available models can be used for multiple robot applications.