ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation  

ABB’s next generation mobile raining cart features the new 6-axis GoFa collaborative robot. With a payload 4.5 kg higher than YuMi, GoFa unlocks opportunities for both new and established users, from SME’s to larger companies, by enabling easy automation without the need for in-depth programming skills or prior training. Users can easily program GoFa via lead-through programming and ABB’s new Wizard easy programming software. Based on simple graphical blocks, Wizard makes it easy for non-specialists to automate their applications. The blocks represent actions such as ‘move to location’, ‘pick up an object’, and ‘repeat task’, making it easy and intuitive to build a series of simple processes for the robot to perform.

Based on ABB’s class-leading IRB 1100 industrial robot, which offers best in class speed and accuracy, the CRB (Collaborative Robot) 1100 SWIFTI™ combines a payload of 4 kg and reach of up to 580mm with the benefits of safe collaborative operation and ease of use. This will open new possibilities for enhanced productivity in a wide range of applications, from manufacturing to logistics and beyond, and enable more businesses to embrace automation.  SWIFTI is aimed at tasks including assembly and polishing where human operators need to be present to carry out duties such as supervision and repositioning of parts. Such applications have traditionally used extensive physical safety measures such as fencing to minimize the risk of people coming into contact with robots moving at high speeds, increasing the cost and size of the installation, and disrupting line speed and productivity as the robots have to be stopped so a human can enter the workspace.  

As a pre-engineered solution, the ArcPack U2 simplifies the transition from manual to robotic welding. No need to spend valuable engineering time to design one-off, customized cells; no need to design a cell layout that optimizes robot work envelop; and no need to design a pre-verified, optimal base structure. The ArcPack U2 can fit in tightly constrained workshop areas, and the IRB 1660ID robot with IRC5 Controller is easily integrated with different welding process equipment. The demo features Scalable Robotics’ novel human-robot interaction programming techniques that enable people who know their process to intuitively show the robot what needs to be done, with the Scalable system automatically creating a robust and high-quality program.  Scalable Robotics is enabling manufactures with any batch size to easily, cost effectively and safely produce in today’s highly competitive marketplace.

RobotStudio with Virtual Reality allows users to take advantage of information from connected robots at each stage of the automation lifecycle. The change to high mix low volume in shorter cycles makes engineering efficiency a critical competence today.  Tools like RobotStudio help make the task of engineering a new cell or new line more efficient. Virtual Reality tools help visualize production bottlenecks “offline,” without interrupting real production. This can eliminate expensive surprises in the commissioning stage and speed product launches.  When using Digital Twin technology, the simulated twin can be directly connected to the operation, which allows the process to be optimized virtually at the same time as it is being implemented. Virtual Reality Lead Through Programming Virtual Reality allows robot programs to be created in an intuitive way by guiding the robot through the process and simultaneously recording the motion.

Traditional methods of 3D printing using machines are time consuming as programming the printing paths involves plotting millions of points and trajectories. With ABB’s new 3D Printing PowerPac, any standard slicer software design can be 'translated’ into ABB’s simulation environment and robot code. This means an operator can progress from the CAD design stage to final modeling of a product in just half an hour. The 3D printing industry is poised for a period of strong growth, with valuation expected to hit USD 34.8 billion by 2024, owing in part to the development of new industrial-grade 3D printing materials, according to research firm Markets and Markets. The 3D Printing software provides a faster and more streamlined 3D printing process.  Coupled with the high performance of ABB robots, manufacturers can now produce high-quality 3D printed objects for a variety of industrial applications more efficiently.

The ABB Ability suite consists of five services: Condition Monitoring & Diagnostics, Backup Management, Remote Access, Fleet Assessment, and Asset Optimization. Each ABB Ability™ Connected Service, or the combination of some, deliver specific and clear benefits to customers that can help them drive performance and productivity improvements, thus saving maintenance and production costs quickly. They are delivered to you via the MyRobot web application providing customers and ABB Service with actionable information through an intuitive user interface at your fingertips any time, and any place. It is a cloud-based service suite thought for fulfilling the needs of different user profiles within maintenance and production departments that allow them to remotely monitor, troubleshoot and optimize robot systems.