ABB launches single-arm YuMi cobot

Following on from the dual-arm YuMi robot, introduced in 2015, ABB has developed a single-arm YuMi to expand its collaborative robot range.

The single-arm YuMi is compact and lightweight (9.5 kg) and supports mounting in any direction including ceiling, table and wall mounting for rapid and flexible installation to fit into existing production lines. The ultralight magnesium arm rotates on seven axes to mimic human-like movements with greater agility than 6-axis robots. With its 500 g rated payload, the robot was specifically designed to meet the flexible production needs required by small parts assembly processes including consumer electronics, consumer goods, and small and medium enterprises.

Single-arm YuMi also features the same lead-through programming as the dual-arm YuMi, meaning workers can teach the robot motions and positions easily and quickly, greatly simplifying robot programming. Combining this simplicity with the robot’s deployment flexibility, it will help manufacturers in many industries to offset shortages of skilled workers and help reduce entry barriers for new potential robot users, particularly small and medium enterprises.

The YuMi range of robots can be combined in numerous configurations. For example, a single-arm YuMi can be used to feed parts to a dual-arm YuMi to increase flexibility, or added as an extra arm for more complex assembly tasks requiring more than two robot arms.

To fulfil the enhanced safety requirements of specific usage scenarios, ABB’s SafeMove 2 will be available as an option for the single-arm YuMi, giving it the full range of safety certified functions that other ABB robots have.