Product category:
Robots and robotic systems
News Release from: ABB Robotics | Subject: Robotic welding, assembly and handling
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 March 2006
Multi-robot, arc welding system is
co-ordinated
Fully co-ordinated, multi-robot, arc welding system, to be demonstrated at MACH 2006, offers shorter cycle times, improved quality and more-efficient production concepts.
ABB, the global power and automation technology group, demonstrates its latest development in fully co-ordinated, multiple-robot manufacturing systems at MACH 2006, with a fully operational 'MultiMove' arc welding cell At the heart of the system is ABB's revolutionary IRC5 control software, MultiMove, which allows up to four robots, including work positioners and other devices, to work in fully co-ordinated operation
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 14 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Such is its power that in a typical automotive operation, one robot can lift and hold a car door, a second picks and locates a hinge, while a third welds the hinge in to place.
The advanced functionality is made possible by the exceptional processing power of the IRC5 control module computer, capable of calculating MultiMove path calculations for up to 36 servo axes, while directing up to four drive modules.
Robots can also be programmed to work on a parallel assembly line, returning 'just-in-time' to carry out programmed tasks.
Further reading
ABB robotics transform metal fabrication sector
Steve Bartholomew of ABB Robotics explores the case for robotics in metal fabrication and how, by adopting sustainable practices, users can significantly transform productivity and efficiency.
Flexible robots finish castings automatically
Improved automated grinding and finishing of castings is now possible with software that enables a robot to grind, polish and buff castings as well as deflashing.
Robot picks and places 3kg at 110 picks/min
Robots offer increased speed, higher payload and a smaller footprint, while the average cycle time performance has improved by over 20%, resulting in 110 picks/min at 3kg.
The solution offers total freedom of motion and the optimum working position regardless of the task.
It also eliminates the need for extra jigs and manual labour involved in mounting objects, while substantially cutting lead times.
Traditional, sequential robot tasks can also be streamlined.
Because every robot motion is synchronised, process flow can be optimised and throughput times reduced.
With every robot knowing what the other is doing, risk of collision is also minimised.
ABB will also use MACH 2006 to team up with global partners RNA Automation of Castle Bromwich, UK, and Svensk Industriautomation (SVIA) of Sweden, to exhibit SVIA's Miniflex, a powerful new robotic parts feeding system based around ABB's six-axis robot, the IRB 140.
The compact Miniflex, which is mounted on a common base plate along with the robot, allows parts up to 60mm in size to be held in a buffer, from which they can be automatically picked.
Miniflex is equipped with SVIA's vision system, PickVision, which was specifically developed for robot-guided materials handling.
PickVision is easy to operate, easy to 'teach', and has its own patented method of collision avoidance.
For the automated feeding of unsorted blanks up to 120mm in size, SVIA has also developed Multiflex.
The system tips parts straight from the pallet into the machine, where they are automatically picked by the ABB robot which again identifies the parts using the PickVision system.
Through a recent agreement SVIA's authorised UK agent, RNA, not only sources new applications within the UK for Miniflex and Multiflex, but provide its own blend of expertise and professionalism in integrating the SVIA systems into customers' production set-ups.
SVIA's range provides a perfect complement to the full range of bowl feeders, linear feeders, conveyors, bulk hoppers, centrifugal feeders and tray loading/palletising equipment manufactured by RNA.
For its part, ABB Robotics provides advice on the most suitable ABB robot product for the relevant application, before sourcing and preparing the robot from its large stock of six-axis robot products, then supplying it to SVIA for incorporation into the cell.
* About ABB - ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact.
The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 104,000 people.
* ABB Robotics at MACH 2006, NEC, Birmingham, UK, May 15-19, Hall 5, Stand 5096A. Request a free brochure from ABB Robotics ...
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