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Abstract
Purpose - To provide a concise briefing on the developments in robotic welding.
Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on the ABB "Open Days" held at its UK operation.
Findings - Gives information on the launch of MultiArc; the arc welding application based on its MultiMove multiple cooperating robot software that runs on the new IRC5 robot controller. Another piece of technology launched was the wireless proximity sensor, which drastically minimises cabling in a manufacturing cell. Some welding software packages were demonstrated, including VirtualArc for off-line MIG/MAG welding parameter prediction and ArcWeld PowerPac off-line programming and simulation. Also shown were management software for real time measurement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and SmartSpares, a web-based tool for managing critical spares.
Originality/value - The paper provides information of value to those working or interested in developments in the robotics welding and associated industries.
Keywords Robotics, Welding, Sensors, Materials handling
Paper type Technical paper
Launched in the first quarter of 2004, ABB's new IRC5 robot controller has been both a success and a "headache" for the company. On the one hand ABB sold virtually all of its 2004 production to just one customer, which made it difficult to promise early delivery to others. Now, however, it is beginning to more actively promote the IRC5, with customer Open Days such as those held recently at its UK headquarters in Milton Keynes.
The focus of the UK Open Days was welding, which is where ABB sees the initial highest potential for the IRC5, confirmed by the previously referred-to order from a major automotive Tier One supplier for use in arc welding cells. This customer has particularly focussed on MultiArc, which exploits the MultiMove functionality of the IRC5 (Rooks, 2004) to allow multiple robots to work cooperatively together and with workpiece positioners. MultiMove allows up to four robots plus additional axes - a total maximum of 36 axes - to be combined in a totally flexible way. The result is higher productivity through parallel actions and anticipatory movements reducing idle times, and better quality by such as balanced welding.
In the MultiArc demonstration cell at Milton Keynes, two IRB 1400 robots simultaneously welded an automotive fabrication mounted in an IRP 25OD twin-station positioner that continually manipulated the part...