ABB Robotics delivers 10 new products in 2014

A countdown of the new industrial robots and robotic solutions ABB has introduced this year.

With the needs of the world’s dynamic markets changing all the time, a key ingredient to ensuring the growth of our robotics business is the introduction of new products that reflect what our customers are demanding. Our systematic approach to bringing new products to market begins by listening to, responding to, and anticipating the needs of the market. Armed with this information, our engineers are able to develop the world class industrial robots and robotic solutions that our customers have come to expect.

Thus far in 2014, ABB Robotics has introduced 10 new products and expects to deliver an eleventh before the year closes. Here is a countdown of the new industrial robots and robotic solutions ABB has introduced this year, in descending order:

1. IRC5C compact robot controller

Renowned for its outstanding performance and quality, the footprint of the IRC5C from ABB is now up to 25 percent smaller.

On December 5, 2014, ABB introduced the IRC5C, its second generation compact industrial robot controller. A full-fledged member of the IRC5 family of industrial robot controllers, the IRC5C comes equipped with the majority of the functionality and benefits of its larger counterpart; now in an even smaller footprint (310H x 449W x 442D mm).

2. IRB 6700 Power Line industrial robot

The IRB 6700 family of robots is a natural evolution following 40 years of large robot heritage at ABB, featuring a multitude of next generation improvements meant to obtain the lowest total cost of ownership.

ABB unveiled the first four members of the IRB 6700 family in November 2013; followed by two additional members in February 2014. On October 14, 2014, ABB has again raised the bar with the introduction of the IRB 6700-300/2.70 and the IRB 6700-245/3.00, the last two variants in its 7th generation large robot family.

3. FlexMT™ machine tending package

The FlexMT is a standardized yet flexible solution which increases machine tool utilization by as much as 60% while reducing labor costs.

On July 7, 2014, ABB introduced two variants of this function package: the FlexMT 20 (20kg/1.65m reach) and the FlexMT 60 (60kg/2.05m reach). The FlexMT comes complete with a robot controller inside its fully integrated control cabinet and is a pre-engineered, well-tested and reliable automation solution.

4. IRB 1200 industrial robot

Have you ever wanted to make your machines 15% smaller and 10% faster? ABB’s new IRB 1200 allows you to do exactly that.

With the introduction of the IRB 1200 on June 3, 2014, ABB addressed the needs of the material handling and machine tending industries for flexibility, ease of use, compactness and short cycle times while still maintaining large working envelopes.

5. Integrated Force Control

ABB’s Integrated Force Control uses real-time tactile sensor feedback to handle process variations with the sensitivity of the human hand while shortening programming time as much as 70 percent.

From machining to small parts assembly, dexterous handling of work piece and tools is of the utmost concern. Small variations in the manufacturing phase can mean the difference between success and failure. To help deal with these issues, ABB Integrated Force Control technology, introduced on May 9, 2014, makes robots more intelligent and able to handle variations in the process with real-time external inputs—much like a human would when handling a delicate item or precise dimensions.

6. RacerPack

ABB’s RacerPack surpasses conventional flow wrap packing solutions in up time, change over time and ease-of-use while outperforming competitive throughput rates by as much as 50%.

For nearly 15 years the IRB 360 FlexPicker has been the gold standard in precision picking and placing applications. As ABB’s latest innovation to make use of the FlexPicker, the RacerPack, introduced on April 10, 2014, incorporates the FlexPicker into a single stainless steel cabinet with panel mounted controller, custom grippers, and in-feed conveyors for large scale collating, picking and placement jobs.

7. Compact CBS II

The only fully integrated robotic solution for internal charge water-borne painting, with up to 50% time savings during color change.

ABB first introduced its robotics Cartridge Bell Paint System in 1998. On March 26, 2014, ABB introduced the latest innovation in this line, the Compact CBS II. Made from cast and machined aluminum, it is the only fully-integrated robotic solution for internal charge water-borne painting. The lighter, faster and more efficient design is more closely integrated with the system’s components and reduces color exchange time as much as 50 percent when compared with other solutions.

8. RobotStudio Picking PowerPac for PickMaster 3

RobotStudio Picking PowerPac saves up to 80% in programming time when compared to traditional methods.

As an industrial benchmark for more than 13 years, ABB’s PickMaster software is already the market leader for easy configuration of complicated robotic picking and packing systems. The Picking PowerPac, introduced on March 12, 2014, goes one step further and condenses this advanced application experience into a comprehensive and truly easy-to-use compliment to PickMaster 3 that boosts the performance of picking lines with thorough optimization in the virtual world before lines are built in the real world.

9. IRB 6700 Low Line industrial robot

The IRB 6700 family of robots is a natural evolution following 40 years of large robot heritage at ABB, featuring a multitude of next generation improvements meant to obtain the lowest total cost of ownership.

For 40 years ABB has evolved its lineup of large industrial robots to meet modern manufacturing needs. This depth of experience has led to a comprehensive knowledge of the needs of our customers and the technical capability to produce the most robust and cost effective machines available. In November 2013, ABB unveiled the first four members in the family of its 7th generation of large robots—the IRB 6700. On February 17, 2014, ABB once again raised the bar for others to attain with the introduction of two additional variants, the IRB 6700-155/2.85 and the IRB 6700-200/2.60.

10. IRB 6660FX 7-axis industrial robot

The IRB 6660FX increases the productivity of medium size tandem press lines by more than 25% compared with conventional 6-axis robots.

Suitable for both new and existing press lines, a dual action unit has been integrated into the IRB 6660, introduced on January 29, 2014, to create a 7-axis robot, which allows medium size parts to be transferred rapidly along a linear path. This seventh axis eliminates vibrations created when parts are rotated 180° by a conventional 6-axis solution. The system is also equipped with integrated dynamic model control to coordinate all seven axes to ensure optimum speed, accuracy and lifetime.