ABB delivers new robotic machine tending software solutions

VÄSTERÅS, Sweden - March 14, 2013 - PRLog -- With more than 30,000 machine tending robots installed since the 1970’s, ABB’s decades of experience have culminated in an overhauled system of robotic machine tending software designed with the customer’s most common considerations in mind. For everything from die-casting to injection molding and machining, this new package delivers world class flexibility and ease-of-use.
Together, the new PC-based RobotStudio Machine Tending PowerPac and the new controller-based RobotWare Machine Tending software allow for simulation, validation and optimization to be completed in the 3D virtual world and then transferred directly to the real-world. Everything from cycle times to post processing capabilities to potential risks for collisions can be simulated virtually before costly mistakes are made on the factory floor.

“As a company we put a lot of effort into creating solutions that are truly innovative and address real needs among our customers,” says ABB Product Manager, Andreas Eriksson. “With this new system of software we’ve hit many of the main considerations. It’s easy, fast and flexible to program machine tending cells and our control software is usable by even less skilled workers. These are things our customers are always looking for.”

RobotStudio Machine Tending PowerPac—an add-on for RobotStudio, ABB’s powerfully simple PC-based programming tool—provides a platform for quick, easy creation and editing of machine tending robot cells in a 3D virtual environment. With a library of common grippers and station types—and built-in support for most machines and peripheral equipment— getting a cell up and running in the virtual world is easy. In addition, safety is simplified with the capability to define safe home position movements in a virtual environment.

RobotWare Machine Tending is designed to be an effective, standalone, controller-based, programming, configuration and operation tool, but is also tightly integrated with the RobotStudio Machine Tending PowerPac. An intuitive and customizable graphical user interface allows for easy production monitoring and control, as well as automatic program and part selection. Although the interface has been designed so that less skilled personnel can control most common tasks, the software also provides unlimited access to powerful RAPID coding tools for more advanced users.

Users of ABB Robotics' machine tending systems also have to all the benefits of ABB’s Robot Care program including Remote Service technologies, which provides remote access to the system for production monitoring, fast diagnostics and predictive maintenance.

All ABB Robotics' products are fully supported by the ABB Robotics’ global sales and service organization in 53 countries and over 100 locations.