KUKA 00-117-391 KCP2 Teach Pendant Controller Panel

Description

Product Introduction

The KUKA 00-117-391 (KCP2 / Control Panel 2) serves as the primary human-machine interface for KUKA KRC2 and KRC2 Edition2005 robot controllers. Designed specifically for demanding industrial automation environments, this teach pendant allows field technicians to jog axes, program motion commands, configure I/O signals, and clear system faults directly at the robot cell.

Unlike standard HMI panels, the 00-117-391 integrates dedicated hardware safety circuits—including a dual-circuit emergency stop button and 3-position deadman enabling switches—directly into its ergonomic housing. Its built-in 6D space mouse delivers intuitive manual positioning across complex tool center point (TCP) trajectories, eliminating tedious coordinate guesswork during cell commissioning.

Key Technical Specifications

Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience

Picture this: It’s 2 AM on a Tuesday, and your automotive welding line halts because an operator dropped the teach pendant onto the concrete floor, cracking the screen and triggering a permanent deadman fault. Every minute of down-line costs $1,200. You need a direct-fit replacement plugged in and handshaking with the KRC2 cabinet immediately—no software reconfiguration required.

• Automotive Body-in-White – Spot welding & material handling – Rapid replacement restoring robot cell manual jog controls instantly.
• Metal Fabrication – Robotic MIG/TIG welding – Fine-tuning torch alignment using the 6D space mouse inside tight fixtures.
• Palletizing & Packaging – High-speed end-of-line pickers – Clearing safety interlocks and editing path points without opening cabinet doors.
• Foundry & Machining Tending – Harsh environment material loading – IP54 rugged seal resists oil mist and abrasive dust exposure.

Field Case Study

A Midwestern tier-1 aerospace supplier experienced a total display freeze on a KRC2 ed05 controller driving an 8-axis milling cell. The original pendant suffered internal ribbon cable degradation after years of flex wear. We dispatched a tested 00-117-391 unit overnight. The site technician unthreaded the circular umbilical connector at the cabinet, plugged in the replacement, and had the cell running routine toolpaths within 15 minutes of delivery—saving an estimated $35,000 in missed shipment penalties.

00-117-391

00-117-391

Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing

We don’t just ship boxes; we test them on actual KUKA racks before they leave our warehouse floor:

1. Inbound Visual Inspection: Verify housing integrity, rubber boot seals, strain relief, and pin alignment on the main connector.
2. Live Rig Handshake: Connect unit to our dedicated KRC2 ed05 test bench running KSS 5.x to confirm instant communication.
3. Display & Touch Check: Inspect LCD backlight uniform brightness; verify zero dead pixels or touch matrix dead zones.
4. Safety Circuit Validation: Test dual-channel E-stop button and multi-stage enabling switches with an oscilloscope for contact bounce and continuity.
5. Keypad & 6D Mouse Calibration: Run full diagnostic software checking every membrane key press and 6-axis analog deflection.
6. ESD Packaging: Clean housing with anti-static solution, wrap in heavy anti-static bubble layer, and pack in high-density foam shipping boxes.

The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide

• ⚠️ Watch the Connector Pins: The heavy multi-pin circular connector at the cabinet end can bend if forced. Align the keyway perfectly before twisting the locking ring. If you feel hard resistance, stop—don’t force it.
• ❗ Deadman Switch Misalignment: If the controller reports an immediate safety circuit error upon plugging in, check the 3-position switches on the back. Wear on old internal spring contacts can cause channel imbalance; always test both left and right switches independently.
• ⚠️ Do NOT Hot-Unplug Without Caution: While KRC2 supports pendant removal under specific conditions (if equipped with a bypass plug), pulling the 00-117-391 while the cell is in Automatic mode without proper safety jumpering will instantly drop the line safety relay.
• ❗ Cable Strain Relief: The cable boot on the bottom of the pendant takes heavy abuse. Never haul or drag the pendant by its cord across the shop floor unless you enjoy tracing intermittent CAN bus comm faults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the KUKA 00-117-391 teach pendant hot-swappable?

A: No, not by default. Disconnecting the pendant breaks the hardwired Emergency Stop circuit, causing an immediate safety stop. You must insert a dedicated KCP bypass plug into the cabinet if you intend to run the robot without the pendant connected.

Q: Can I replace a 00-117-391 with a newer smartPAD pendant?

A: No. The 00-117-391 is designed specifically for KRC2 architecture. KUKA smartPADs are built for KRC4 controllers and utilize completely different communication protocols, display interfaces, and safety wiring.

Q: Why buy New Surplus or Refurbished instead of direct from the OEM?

A: KUKA has phased out legacy KRC2 hardware support. Sourcing surplus or fully bench-tested refurbished units is often the only way to avoid a full $80,000+ system upgrade to KRC4/KRC5 when a single controller component fails.

Q: Does this unit include the connecting cable?

A: Yes, the 00-117-391 comes with the standard 10-meter heavy-duty umbilical cable pre-attached with the OEM multi-pin cabinet connector.

Q: What warranty comes with this component?

A: We provide a full 12-month functional warranty on both New Surplus and fully refurbished units, covering internal hardware, keypads, display, and integrated safety circuits.