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    IMTS 2024: Astorino Education Robot Provides the Skills Needed for Modern Manufacturing

    Sept. 3, 2024
    Kawasaki Robotics' Astorino education robot platform is a mini version of a Kawasaki industrial robot that lets students and trainees learn the skills of the trade for modern manufacturing.
    Related To: Kawasaki Robotics, Inc.
    © Kawasaki Robotics
    Kawasaki Robotics Astorino educational robot

    Premiering at IMTS 2024, Astorino is an affordable educational robotics platform for industrial and technical education providers.

    Astorino offers the capabilities of a modern industrial robot at a fraction of the cost of other robots for the educational market, enabling educators to more easily equip students with the foundational, real-world skills needed as manufacturing continues to evolve.

    Named after the popular open-source Arduino platform and development partner ASTOR, Astorino leverages Kawasaki Robotics' expertise, including hardware, firmware, control system, application software, and training. The platform also supplies STL files so students can rapidly print 3D replacement parts for 99% of the robot.

    The 1 kg payload, 6-axis robot has a structure and programming environment nearly identical to a Kawasaki industrial robot. Weighing only 12 kg and powered by a 110V outlet, the robot is adaptable to any classroom environment.

    The Astorino platform includes a built-in control system; dedicated firmware and software; Modbus TCP and USB/Ethernet communication, and safety functions such as E-Stop and safety brakes. Motor control uses three signals (pulse/direction/enable) and steel gears reduce backlash to <5 arcmin. The robot is flexible and can also be paired with multiple options such as three kinds of grippers, a 24V IO module, a cube feeder with optical sensors, and external sensors.

    Astorino was designed to be cost-effective for learning institutions by minimizing operational, maintenance and recurring costs. The development environment includes dedicated firmware, free software, and a free code editor. By eliminating recurring costs such as software licenses and replacement parts (since the students can print 3D parts), educators have a clear idea of costs and can focus on teaching rather than budgeting.

    Courses range from a basic introduction to each robot, including programming and operations, to fully detailed repair and maintenance programs. Kawasaki Robotics is developing similar course materials as well as a Train-the-Trainer course for the Astorino.

    The Astorino educational robotics platform can be experienced in Kawasaki Robotics' booth #121415 at the IMTS Smartforce Student Summit.

    Features:

    • 99.5 % 3D printed
    • 6 weeks delivery time
    • Compatible with Kawasaki Robotics programming language
    • Easily available spare parts through 3D printing
    • Linear track, machine vision, and more options available
    • Training material, technical documents, and CAD files included

    Kawasaki Robotics
    Wixom, MI
    Local: (248) 446-4100
    Toll-free: +1 (855) 855-1414
    kawasakirobotics.com