How ABB Robotics is Transforming Manufacturing with Collaborative Robots

How ABB Robotics is Transforming Manufacturing with Collaborative Robots

Robotics has proven to be a significant technological advancement in various industries, and manufacturing is one of the areas where it has become an integral part. Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are a new generation of versatile robots designed to work in tandem with humans in manufacturing facilities. In this article, we’ll discuss how ABB Robotics is transforming manufacturing with collaborative robots.

Introduction

Robotic automation has been used in manufacturing since the 1960s to increase efficiency and productivity. However, traditional robots were meant to work autonomously and needed to be isolated from humans due to safety concerns. But with the advancement of technology, collaborative robots have become a feasible solution for industries where robots can work alongside humans in a shared workspace.

ABB Robotics, a leading global supplier of industrial robots and modular manufacturing systems, has developed innovative collaborative robots intended to transform manufacturing. Their robots incorporate smart features, such as customized grippers, tactile sensing, and machine vision, which can handle various tasks in manufacturing.

Collaborative Robots and Their Role in Manufacturing

Collaborative robots are designed to be safe and user-friendly, allowing humans to work along with them without safety concerns. They have a built-in feature to detect an unexpected collision, which immediately shuts down their operation, ensuring the safety of the surrounding humans. These robots are portable and can be easily moved around the manufacturing workspace to accomplish different tasks.

Unlike traditional robots, collaborative robots do not need extensive programming and expertise to operate them. They come with flexible software, enabling unskilled personnel to reprogram them based on the specific task required.

ABB’s Collaborative Robots and Their Features

ABB Robotics has been a pioneer in creating collaborative robots for the manufacturing industry. They have designed robots with numerous features to optimize productivity and enhance safety.

One of the key features of ABB’s collaborative robots is customized grippers. They can be customized to handle multiple tasks, including gripping, manipulating, and placing various objects.

Another feature is the utilization of machine vision, which enables robots to detect and sort objects. This feature enhances the robot’s productivity by identifying the right object and placing it in the desired location.

Tactile sensing is another essential feature that ABB Robotics integrated into their collaborative robots. This feature enables robots to sense contact, pressure, or force, ensuring they safely and accurately interact with humans in a shared workspace.

ABB’s Collaborative Robots in Action

ABB Robotics has successfully integrated their collaborative robots into various industries, including automotive, food & beverage, and electronics.

In one example, ABB collaborated with a leading beverage company, Heineken, to integrate their cobots to improve productivity. ABB’s collaborative robots were able to pick, place, and package 48,000 beer bottles per hour, accomplishing more than ten times the speed of their regular workforce.

In another instance, a leading automotive manufacturer, Volkswagen, implemented ABB’s collaborative robots to streamline their production line. The robots performed various car assembly tasks, such as tightening screws and attaching parts, hence reducing human error and ensuring efficiency.

Conclusion

The incorporation of collaborative robots in manufacturing has revolutionized the industry by enhancing productivity, reducing human error, and ensuring overall safety in the workspace. ABB Robotics, at the forefront of this transformation, has developed innovative and effective collaborative robots that are assisting various industries in achieving their manufacturing goals. The smart features integrated into their robots have made them more efficient and safe, leading to improved productivity and an overall cost reduction in manufacturing.