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.
A key improvement is the introduction of a new generation of ABB's QuickMove/TrueMove motion technology on a number of robot models. The enhanced version enables users to improve quality, boost productivity and improve robot performance with up to 50% better path performance and up to 20% reduction in cycle time. The 'speed independent path' property of ABB motion technology is retained by the new generation of technology, thus eliminating the need for path tuning when speed parameters are adjusted during commissioning.
With RobotWare 5.10, ABB is also providing the PC tool Robot Application Builder (RAB), free of charge. With RAB, users can build tailor made operator interfaces for the FlexPendant, enabling them to enjoy the full power of IRC5 customisability. SoftMove is an added feature in RobotWare 5.10, ensuring greater flexibility for the robotic cell by being able to make the robot flexible in any chosen, linear direction. This allows the robot to effectively perform like a mechanical spring when encountering resistance during operation, enabling the robot to deviate from the programmed path and thus cope with tolerances in fixtures and tools without need for mechanical compliance devices.
Finally, RobotWare 5.10's Analog Sync feature provides users with the ability to optimise machine tending by synchronising robot movement with machine opening and closing, allowing reduced cycle times of up to 10%.