ABB launches fast 5-axis delta robot for lightweight work

ABB has expanded its FlexPicker Delta robot range with the IRB 365, which it claims is the fastest in its class for reorientating packaged lightweight products such as cookies, chocolates, candy, small bottles and parcels.

Responding to the rise in e-commerce and growing demand for shelf-ready packaged goods, the IRB 365 has been developed for applications including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, where production line speed and adaptability are essential.

“The IRB 365 can pick, reorientate and place 1 kg products at 120 picks per minute,” said Roy Fraser, Global Product Manager for ABB Robotics. “Our customers saw that the growth in online shopping was driving the demand for shelf-ready packaged goods, so we developed a new delta robot that would rise to the challenge. By handling more products per minute, the IRB 365 robot increases productivity, while saving time and energy to make production more efficient.”

From product reorienting, top-loading and secondary packaging to bottle handling, unscrambling, 3D picking, feeding and parcel sorting, the IRB 365 is designed to meet a wide variety of applications. Powered by the OmniCore C30 controller, ABB says the system offers built-in digital connectivity and more than 1000 additional software/hardware functions ready to meet future demands and requirements.

Through ABB’s PickMaster Twin software, the company says the IRB 365 can be integrated into packaging lines in a matter of hours rather than days using digital twin technology, which also reduces changeover times.