Yaskawa America history

Motoman began in 1976 in Europe as a manufacturer and supplier of welding machinery for the automotive industry.

Unfortunately, “MOTOMAN” did not sell at all at that time. It was developed to differentiate Yaskawa’s robots from powerful hydraulic robots by focusing on the electric “arc welding”. Then, in 1977, Nakatsu Plant of Yorozu Automotive (present Yorozu) in Nakatsu-city, Oita prefecture decided to purchase the MOTOMAN-L10.

The technical research for AC drives has started, and the world first vector control drives VS-626TV was launched in 1979.

1980 Yasnac Control System RG: The Motoman RC Control system was introduced in 1980 and gave the ability to control up to six axes.

1982 Motoman L10W: The Motoman L10W was introduced in 1982 with a work area that was increased by 80%. It also featured a robot wrist that was more narrow and capable of a maximum workload of 10kg.

1983 Motoman L10WA: The world's first six axis robot that featured an extra wrist axis, called A. The RG control system could handle this robot model and the ordinary L10W with an external axis.

1985 Motoman L-Series: The release of a whole series of robots meant that several models could be operated with the same type of control system.

1988 Motoman K Series: The K series was introduced with the Motoman K10S, a six-axis, 10kg payload robot.

1989 Motoman Inc.: Motoman Inc. is officially formed as a joint venture between Hobart Brothers and Yaskawa Electric.

1994 Motoman SK Series: The Motoman SK-series introduced a line of robots that focused on improved performance.

1995 Troy, Ohio: Motoman opens a new production facility to build 120kg and 150kg robot arms that are ANSI/RIA compliant.

1998 Motoman UP-Series: The UP series introduced a simpler robot arm that is more readily accessible for maintenance and repair.

In July 1999, MagneTek acquired EMS of Cincinnati, OH making MagneTek an even stronger force in the market.

2000 Motoman PX Series: The PX Painting Expert line of coating robots is introduced with wrist options of 3-roll, Lemma, and hollow.

That’s when not even two years later in January 2001, Yaskawa purchased the Drives Group of MagneTek and began promoting Yaskawa products under the Yaskawa name.

In fiscal 2002, after a quarter-century since then, Yaskawa achieved its long-cherished dream of becoming the “world’s No.1” in reality and in name in terms of sales volume, and the production at MOTOMAN Center is now exceeding 1,000 units/month

Yaskawa has networked MECHATROLINK suitable for motion control and founded MECHATROLINK Members Club (MMC) in 2003.

Finally during the fall of August 2004, Yaskawa brought the last branding partner, Omron IDM, into the fold as well.

2008 New Motoman Painting Robots: The Expert Paint EPX line of robots is launched.

2010 New Facilities: Yaskawa Motoman breaks ground on a new 300,000 sq ft facility as they make a move from West Carrollton and Troy to Miamisburg, Ohio.

The dual arm SDA series as next generation robot was developed in order to automate an assembly area in 2012.