Automatic identification of robot faults

ABB Australia, a leading power and automation technology group, has announced a service concept for its customers’ robots that will identify and predict problems remotely, then automatically dispatch help.

The concept is designed to: extend the mean time between failure of robots and robotic components; shorten the subsequent mean time to repair; and lower the overall cost of the robot unit.

Fewer service-related call-outs would also lessen travel and fuel consumption, reducing the carbon footprint of the unit.

The service package is centred around the concept of logging a robot’s key performance data and sending this remotely to an ABB service centre via GPRS technology. The information can then be stored and used for reference, and alarms can be directly monitored. Trends can even be spotted before problems become evident.

With Remote Service, the robot automatically alerts the central database. It triggers an SMS to the on-call service engineer, who can immediately access a detailed data and error log and quickly identify the exact fault. From that point, ABB can offer support without being physically present — especially important for customers in remote parts of Australia who have no direct representation.

“Shorter mean time to repair offers a clear benefit to many of our customers,” said Nicole Ebert, service manager at ABB Australia.

“These companies are heavily dependent on robotisation to meet the just-in-time nature of their businesses and unplanned stoppages can have dramatic consequences.”