ABB robot function package guarantees absolute accuracy

Citation

(2002), "ABB robot function package guarantees absolute accuracy", Industrial Robot, Vol. 29 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2002.04929cad.002

ABB robot function package guarantees absolute accuracy

ABB robot function package guarantees absolute accuracy

Keywords: Robots, Calibration

ABB, the global power and automation technology group and leader in robot-based automation, has developed a robot function to guarantee accuracy through a robot's entire working life (Plate 2).

Typically, inherent mechanical intolerances and deflection in a robot structure, due to load, decrease the robot's "absolute" accuracy and practical compensation of such errors is a complex and nonlinear problem.

The ABB solution is a product concept currently undergoing a pilot at Volvo, Tower and BMW, and it comprises three interconnected aspects. The first aspect is to compensate positions internally in the controller, resulting in a defined and measurable robot tool center point (TCP) accuracy. A generic robot model is used for each robot family and robot individuals are described by a set of error parameters, which are determined at ABB Robotics. The accuracy of each robot will be ascertained and verified through the "Birth certificate", which statistically describes the robot accuracy through an extensive sample of robot positions.

Plate 2 Absolute Accuracy concept will guarantee a robot's accuracy throughout its entire working life

The second and third aspects are the CalibWare PC-based software tool and the Calibration Cube hardware, which represent the key tools in the Absolute Accuracy maintenance toolkit. They enable the user to install, verify and maintain the accuracy of Absolute Accuracy robots throughout the entire robot lifetime.

ABB's Absolute Accuracy concept significantly reduces production downtime because it bridges the gap between the real robots on the factory floor and the virtual robots in the CAD environment. All programming carried out on the PC is reflected immediately in the actual robot and this makes offline programming a true reflection of actual robot path. Production downtime is also minimised because Absolute Accuracy makes the robots exchangeable and consistency between robots means that one robot can be replaced with another without sacrificing accuracy. Turnaround time for new models will also be considerably shorter because the programme for a new model, programmed offline, can be delivered immediately, requiring no fine-tuning, and this means that the new robot can start work without delay.

For further information please contact:

David Marshall, ABB, Auriga House, Precedent Drive, Rooksley, Milton Keynes MK13 8PQ, UK. Tel. +44 (0)1908 350300; Fax. +44 (0)1908 350301, E-mail: david.marshall@gb.abb.com