Product category:
Metals foundry, materials and equipment
News Release from: ABB Robotics | Subject: Force Control software at MACH 2008
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 April 2008
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.
ABB will be demonstrating an IRB140 robot with the Force Control software at the UK's MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition It provides manufacturers with flexible technology that can quickly and accurately adapt to varying surfaces and consistency of materials
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Two advanced software features are important.
1 - FC Pressure enables the robot to grind, polish and buff castings while maintaining a constant pressure between the tool and the work surface.
2 - FC Speed Change, enables a robot to deburr or deflash part line surfaces of castings at a controlled speed, slowing down when encountering excessive burr and avoiding potential damage to the equipment and products.
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* Vision guided robotics system - ABB's TrueView vision guided robotics system uses a robot-mounted single camera and variable lighting package for full six degree-of-freedom 3D vision guidance.
The robot is programmed to position the camera and adjust the lighting to an optimal image capture location.
The software processes the image and sends the appropriate path adjustment to the robot via Ethernet.
This unique approach to vision guidance allows for automatic calibration and part training, reducing solution development and integration lead times.
The technology will be demonstrated on ABB's IRB 6600 power robot which offers the 'best in its class' for path accuracy and repeatability.
Also on display at MACH 2008 will be ABB's new IRB1600ID (Integrated Dressing) dedicated arc-welding robot.
The integrated dressing design encloses all cables within the upper arm of the robot, helping to eliminate the problems of sharp parts damaging the cable, which can cause expensive disruptions to continuous operations.
The dresspack protects all the necessary parts including power, welding wire, shielding gas and pressurised air.
* Robotic equipment optimisation - visitors to the stand will also be able to find out how they can optimise the performance of their robotic equipment by taking advantage of ABB's Remote Service Agreements.
Available in three options - Response, Maintenance and Warranty - these agreements provide customers with a proactive maintenance plan for their robots aimed at extending the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), shortening the subsequent Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) and in turn, lowering the overall cost of ownership.
This valuable service tool is made possible by a small service box and system infrastructure, which is installed into the robot's control system.
ABB can then monitor and collect data on the wear and tear and productivity of robotic cells, enabling problems to be identified and prevented before they result in a potential stoppage.
ABB's presence at the stand forms part of its continuing drive to promote the benefits of robotic technology to industrial users in the UK.
* ABB Robotics at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 4, Stand 4698. Request a free brochure from ABB Robotics ...
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