Robotics

Article (1)
  • Robotics safety
    Major technological advances have ushered in a new age of robotics, in which once-futuristic visions have either become realities or are on the horizon. Yet despite breakthrough applications in areas ranging from manufacturing to medicine, robots carry risk.
Feature (3)
Product (16)
  • ABB IRB 2600 robot range
    ABB has introduced the IRB 2600, which features an optimised, design that offers a high payload capacity of up to 20 kg and an ultra-wide working range. The robot is designed to be suitable for machine tending, materials handling and arc welding; as well as other process applications.
  • Kawasaki RS10L, RS20N, RS50N and RS80N robots
    A range of Kawasaki six-axis articulated arm robots has been announced by JMP Engineering. The R-series offers advanced performance and functionality, and are designed to replace the existing F-series robots.
  • Gantry-mounted robot
    ABB has launched its first robot combining the advantages of an articulated robot and a linear gantry for improved flexibility and cycle times.
  • Compact robot
    ABB has launched its smallest ever multipurpose industrial robot, the compact and lightweight six-axis IRB 120. Available with a new compact version of the IRC5 controller, the robot weighs just 25 kg and can handle a payload of 3 kg (or 4 kg with a vertical wrist) with a reach of 580 mm.
  • Robot
    Cama’s latest robot, the Triaflex, is a custom-made robot that can reach speeds of up to 150 cycles/min, with the capability to function on a single or double line tracking system and carry out tasks which are particularly complicated technically, such as managing and loading products on continuous motion machines.
  • Robot range
    The Kuka KR5 sixx CR cleanroom robot features a 5 kg payload and is available in two versions: the KR5 sixx R650 CR with 650 mm reach and the KR5 sixx R850 CR with 850 mm reach. Both are compact, high-speed robots that meet ISO Class 3 requirements and are double foil packed under cleanroom conditions.
  • Lightweight robot
    The IRB 4600 features a compact and lightweight design with an upper arm of aluminium and spur gears of ABB’s own design. The robot incorporates QuickMove and TrueMove, ABB’s sharp motion technology that defines precise performance and path accuracy with the shortest possible rapid cycle time.
  • Robotic bin picking
    ABB has introduced robotic bin picking technology that can locate and disseminate jumbled and randomly situated materials from bins.
  • Robotic tool changer module
    ATI-Industrial Automation has introduced a high-power tool changer electrical module that passes current up to 28 A, 500 VAC/700 VDC and includes Amphenol MS-style connectors and a protective earth safety ground. Other features include a fluid-resistant seal on the contacts and specially designed contact pins for low resistance.
  • Solar cell production robot
    ABB has announced a standard compact solution for solar cell manufacturing plants — the FlexPicker-System Solar. The standardised robotic cell was specially designed for loading, unloading and handling processes in automated production lines for solar cells.
  • Clean room robot
    ABB has upgraded its IRB 6640 robot to create a ‘clean room’ version. Working in close cooperation with strategic partners from the photovoltaic industry, the project was undertaken in response to the strict specifications for thin film production processes used in solar module manufacturing, where cleanliness is a critical factor.
  • Robot programming GUI
    SmartGUI is the graphical user interface for Kuka robots. Robots only work on instruction and the SmartGUI system is designed to enable that instruction be straightforward and simple.
  • Robotic tool changer module
    ATI-Industrial Automation has introduced a high-power tool changer electrical module that passes current up to 28 A, 500 VAC/700 VDC and includes Amphenol MS-style connectors and a protective earth safety ground.
  • Robot software
    ABB has announced that it has further enhanced its IRC5 controller operating system with the latest release of RobotWare. RobotWare 5.10 adds a host of improvements aimed at delivering greater levels of control and accuracy for robot applications.
  • Agile spot welder
    The IRB 6620 is a compact spot welding robot that can be mounted floor standing, inverted and in tilted positions. The low total weight of the robot (900 kg) makes it easy to install and handle without the need for heavy-lifting cranes. The low weight also means it can be put on top of a machine.
  • High payload robot
    ABB has announced the launch of a new stronger robot, IRB 6640. This new robot is perfect for various applications within material handling, machine tending and spot welding.
News (13)
  • ABB announces new robot safety training workshop
    ABB has announced a new series of training workshops that highlight safety considerations for robotic production systems.
  • RMIT student wins robotics award
    Chun-Yen Lai from RMIT University has won ABB's 2008 National Robotics Innovation Competition, after devising a robot that automated the manufacture of key furniture components.
  • CSIRO mine automation technology goes global
    CSIRO has signed an agreement to commercialise its innovative underground longwall automation system, known as LASC technology, with one of the world’s largest longwall mining original equipment manufacturers, Joy Australasia.
  • Rio Tinto's Pilbara train drivers set to strike
    Train drivers at Rio Tinto's Pilbara operations are expected to walk off the job for 12 hours this Saturday 11 October, as part of a push by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to get driver compensation for Rio's planned driverless train system.
  • Robots help recreate the Big Bang
    Two of ABB's IRB 140 robots were part of the laser welding system that manufactured the two accelerator rings of the Large Hadron Collider, located at CERN on the Swiss-French border.
  • 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.
  • Centre for mine automation to be established
    Rio Tinto has announced major funding for one of the world’s largest civilian robotics research centres, a centre for mining automation, which will be based at The University of Sydney.
  • National robotics innovation competition
    An industry-sponsored robotics innovation competition will be launched at an information evening on 7 March.
  • National robotics competition launched
    ABB Australia and the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia (SAE-A) have announced the launch of the 2nd Annual National Robotics Innovation Competition.
  • Robotics innovation competition
    ABB Australia has launched the ABB Australia and the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia inaugural National Robotics Innovation competition.
  • National Robotics Innovation Competition launched
    ABB Australia and the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia have announced the launch of the National Robotics Innovation Competition.
  • 2007 National Robotics Innovation Competition - Winners announced
    ABB Australia has announced Jarred Spriggs from Deakin University is the overall winner of the National Robotics Innovation competition for university students, launched earlier this year.
  • Robotic vehicle invention wins funding
    An unmanned robotic vehicle with mobile inspection, detection and surveillance capabilities is one of three ACT projects awarded funding in the latest round Australian Government innovation grants.
Case Study (11)
  • Automated slaughter line for salmon
    Norway is now operating the first salmon slaughter line in the world to use automatic bleeding based on machine vision and robot technology. The innovation makes for more rational operation, says the system’s pilot operator.
  • Frontline benefits from ABB’s robotic technology
    Producing perfect aluminium welds and eliminating harmful dust during polishing operations has been achieved by the acquisition of a series of CSF (Complete Surface Finishing) robotic solutions at Frontline Australasia at its plant in outer south-east Melbourne.
  • Sticky fingers? Tiny robots to grip nanotubes
    How do you handle the tiny components needed for constructing nanoscale devices? A European consortium has built two demonstrators that include microrobots equipped with microgrippers to automatically pick up and install carbon nanotubes thousands of times thinner than a human hair. They have even tackled that ever-present bane of nanotechnology - sticky fingers.
  • Robotic automation enabling SMEs to compete on global market
    Industrial robots, once the preserve of large-scale manufacturers, are increasingly being seen in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
  • Robotic powder coating improves efficiency at Electrolux
    Every second of every day in any year around the world, Electrolux sells two of its products. This requires state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, such as the fully automated and flexible powder-coating facility for oven and grill cavities recently installed at Electrolux’s manufacturing plant in Dudley Park, South Australia.
  • Robot solves skills shortage for coatings specialist
    Finding specialised qualified staff and the need for greater efficiency in an increasingly competitive marketplace motivated Peter Harrison, the General Manager of Melbourne-based Hilustre Coatings Pty Ltd, to investigate the possibility of using a robot at the company’s spray painting facility.
  • Smarter robotic palletising
    More and more, customers are wanting to automate the palletising function within their production facilities but are often unable to provide space for such a system. And in today’s current economic conditions, customers are becoming even more focused on the return on investment of their capital equipment purchases.
  • SPC Ardmona cans in safe hands
    When Australian company SPC Ardmona switched its palletising system, it found other advantages than just packing more pallets. The new system also opened up opportunities for new business.
  • Robots help Power Plastics increase output
    At Power Plastics in Sydney, Australia, hand-packing 3000 polyethylene condiment bottles an hour was taking a high toll in labour costs and operator health and safety — in a highly competitive market.
  • Cleaning up one of Tasmania’s dirtiest jobs
    Zinc smelting began in 1917 on the site of Nyrstar’s Hobart plant in Tasmania. For generations it has involved hard, dirty and risky jobs. One of the toughest — skimming the waste ‘dross’ off molten zinc just poured into ingot moulds — was done by hand with a rake, until four ABB industrial robots took it over in 2008.
  • Research and development helps Australian manufacturers
    Melbourne-based automation and robotics specialist Andrew Donald Design Engineers is reaping great benefits from its work with Australian manufacturers. The company works with its customers to design automated processes to improve efficiency and productivity, and with its strong focus on research and development, has claimed the Australian Government’s R&D Tax Concession since 1998.
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