The Bot Board (BOTS)

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Programming times for robot-based grinding & polishing reduced by 80%

2007-03-29 - A new robot-based system that will drastically reduce programming time for the automated grinding, deburring, machining and polishing of castings will be on display at ABB’s stand at GIFA 2007 (stand 44, Hall 17), taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany on 12th-16th June.
ABB’s new system, featuring RobotWare Machining FC (Force Control), can reduce overall programming times by up to 80% for robots used to grind castings, vastly improving productivity levels.

Mathys Pirk, Segment Manager Foundry, ABB Robotics, says that with the introduction of RobotWare Machining FC based systems, “one of the last real barriers to productivity improvement in this sector has been lifted. The new RobotWare Machining FC technology removes the bottleneck and increases process efficiency, saving time, raising overall consistency and boosting product quality.”

ABB will discuss the benefits and applications of the RobotWare Machining FC technology in detail at the GIFA technical forum on the 14th June. As well as systems and function packages based on RobotWare Machining FC, ABB will be displaying its foundry-class robotics technologies, designed to operate at optimal levels whilst being exposed to harsh foundry conditions. ABB has engineered its robotics technologies to suit the application where the equipment is being used, for example, where robots are employed for water jet-cleaning. Protection is provided not only for the robot, but also for the controllers and other robotic equipment used, to prevent moisture affecting equipment performance. This ensures that equipment is maintained to ensure high levels of productivity.

Robots on display at ABB’s stand will include the new IRB6620 robot. With a total weight of only 900kgs, the IRB 6620 can be either floor-mounted, tilted by 15%, shelf-mounted or hung up-side-down, thereby offering flexibility and space-saving options.

In addition, over 40 ABB robots will feature on stands attended by ABB partners. Such a large presence for ABB robots shows the breadth of technical expertise and support available for customers that purchase robots from ABB. Its network of global partners in the foundries industry ensures that its robots are supported locally in most countries around the world.

As well as its dedicated foundry applications, ABB will also be showcasing various software applications that will help simplify planning, enable offline programming and ease installation. These include Remote Service, a robotics diagnostics tool that uses wireless technology to transmit diagnostic information, and Robot Diecast, which simplifies the process of setting up and operating ABB robots with an easy-to-use graphical interface. Throughout the show, ABB will also be providing practical demonstrations illustrating how ABB’s programming tools simplify the process of programming, and reduce programming time.

For further information, visit ABB on Stand 44, Hall 17.
http://www.ar.abb.com/cawp/seitp202/170089d7fea3ea5bc12572ad00271b97.aspx

here’s IRB6620 robot info:

http://www.robotstudio.com/irb6620/kampanj.html

large high-rez pic:

http://www.robotstudio.com/irb6620/download/article_irb6620.jpg