KUKA Robotics Corporation Displays New and Innovative Technologies at PackExpo Las Vegas 2009

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KUKA Robotics to display the latest in robotic innovations for the packaging and palletizing market in front of 21,000 customers and buyers at PACK EXPO 2009! The latest innovations include 5 new best of breed robotic palletizers with superior performance and high payload capacities, ranging from 300kg to 1300kg which rounds out KUKA’s already versatile and inventive line of palletizing and packaging robots. The PackExpo introductions also include the debut of 2 new and resourceful software programs: Layer Tech (developed to simplify the process of flexible palletizing pattern creation and product changeovers) and Bag Tech (developed to support in high speed bag palletizing applications).

KUKA Robotics in-booth robotic demonstrations will feature the new and innovative “customer-solution inspired” breed of palletizers: the KR 700 PA and the KR 470 PA. These new palletizers utilize large working envelopes, maximum stacking heights, accommodate sizeable end of arm tooling, while employing useful centers of gravity and payloads of 470kg, and 700kg. The high performance capability of these new units makes them the ideal solution in the most rigorous palletizing and de-palletizing applications. The KR 700 PA, the fastest palletizer in its payload class, will make its North American debut at PackExpo 2009. The KR 700 PA with its 700kg payload will demonstrate strength and agility while handling traditional burgundy wine barrels.

Booth demonstrations will also feature the new and innovative software program, Layer Tech. This newly introduced software was developed to assist end users in the development of pattern creation while minimizing change over times. When coupled with the KR 40 PA for flexible palletizing layer pattern forming, the combined solution offers reduced maintenance costs while offering maximum flexibility. The Layer Tech software will be displayed with the small footprint swift handling KR 40 PA shown in a layer pattern forming simulation. The KR 40 PA is an ideal robot for high speed layer pattern forming, and small footprint palletizing applications.

The powerfully quick KR 180 PA palletizing robot will be displayed along with the newly introduced Bag Tech software, a program developed as a simple operator interface for bag palletizing applications. With a focus on ease-of-use, Bag Tech, which requires no external pc, offers a user-friendly environment for the set-up and operation of high speed bag palletizing applications.

About the KUKA Robot Group

KUKA Robotics Corporation along with KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg Germany (part of the KUKA Aktiengesellschaft group of worldwide companies), ranks among the world's leading suppliers of industrial robots and material handling vehicles. Core competencies include the development, production, and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software, linear units, and omniMove™ omni-directional motion platforms. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries as well as multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. KUKA robots range from 5kg to 1300kg payloads, and 635mm to 3900mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA is the market leader in Germany and Europe, and number three in the world. The KUKA Robot Group employs about 2,000 people worldwide. Of these, 1,200 are employed in Germany, either at the KUKA Robot Group headquarters in Augsburg, or at various subsidiaries. In 2008, sales totaled 474 million Euro. Twenty-six subsidiaries provide a presence in the major markets of Europe, the Americas and Asia. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at 866-873-5852 or visit their website at www.kukarobotics.com.

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