By Graham K. Rogers

Seiko Epson Corporation has announced the 21 December release of two new 6-axis robots to replace the C3 series. Epson will simultaneously launch a pair of new options, the RC700 industrial robot controller and the Vision Guide 7.0 machine vision system.

The C4 and C4L are more compact and deliver high speeds making them ideal for tasks such as electronics assembly and automotive parts transport. The new devices improve on the efficiency of the C3 by being able to handle heavier payloads. The C4 has a 600-mm horizontal reach (to wrist center), while the C4L is an extended-reach model that has an arm length of 900 mm.

More information on the robots, the PC700 controller, and Vision Guide 7.0 is available on the Epson Newsroom page.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.