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Operators use OmniCore V400XT to manage a big robotic with Robotic Studio. Supply: ABB Robotics
Because of advances in cloud computing, notion know-how, and synthetic intelligence, industrial and different robots have gotten smarter and extra succesful. ABB Robotics as we speak launched its next-generation OmniCore platform, which may now management most of its automation line.
“For our prospects, automation is a strategic requirement as they search larger flexibility, simplicity, and effectivity in response to the worldwide megatrends of labor shortages, uncertainty, and the necessity to function extra sustainably,” stated Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation Enterprise Space. “Via our growth of superior mechatronics, AI, and imaginative and prescient methods, our robots are extra accessible, extra succesful, extra versatile, and extra cellular than ever.”
“However more and more, they have to additionally work seamlessly collectively, with us, and one another to tackle extra duties in additional locations,” he added. “This is the reason we’re launching OmniCore, a brand new milestone in our 50-year historical past in robotics; a singular, single management structure – one platform, and one language that integrates our full vary of main {hardware} and software program.”
ABB Robotics, which has workplaces in Zurich and Auburn Hills, Mich., famous that OmniCore is the product of greater than $170 million in funding. The unit of ABB Group referred to as it “a step change to a modular and futureproof management structure that may allow the complete integration of AI, sensor, cloud, and edge computing methods to create probably the most superior and autonomous robotic functions.”
Whereas ABB has provided OmniCore since 2018, its plan was all the time to make it its unified management platform, defined Marc Segura, division president of ABB Robotics. “Now we’re in our pivotal second the place we’re launching it to the duvet virtually our whole robotics portfolio,” he informed The Robotic Report.
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OmniCore gives pace and accuracy
ABB Robotics stated OmniCore delivers robotic path accuracy at a degree of lower than 0.6 mm, and it may management the movement of a number of robots operating at speeds of as much as 1,600 mm per second (3.5 mph). This builds on ABB’s expertise with automotive manufacturing. It additionally opens alternatives for precision automation in areas resembling arc welding, meeting of cell phone shows, gluing, and laser reducing.
“Our automotive prospects are extraordinarily competent and helped push the boundaries of what’s potential,” Segura stated. “OmniCore additionally complies with and exceeds probably the most stringent cybersecurity commonplace and is future-proof for AI and digitalization.”
He claimed that the up to date platform allows its robots to function as much as 25% quicker and to devour as much as 20% much less power in contrast with its earlier controller.
Platform covers {hardware}, software program ecosystem
OmniCore is constructed on a scalable, modular management structure that provides a big selection of capabilities, making it appropriate for brand spanking new industries embracing automation, resembling biotechnology and development, stated ABB. It additionally consists of greater than 1,000 {hardware} and software program options to assist prospects design, function, keep, and optimize operations.
Segura cited software program options resembling Robotic Studio, OptiFact, Absolute Accuracy, and PickMaster Twin, in addition to {hardware} choices spanning from exterior axis and imaginative and prescient methods to fieldbuses.
“The OmniCore distinction is its capability to handle movement, sensors, and software tools in a single holistic unified system,” he stated. “Our new, next-generation platform is greater than a controller. It’s the spine of worth creation, which features a full, built-in software program ecosystem.”
“For instance, OmniCore allows automotive producers to extend manufacturing pace, providing super aggressive benefit, rising press-tending manufacturing from 12 to fifteen strokes per minute to provide 900 elements per hour,” Segura stated. “A few of these functions are actually accessible whilst pre-integrated configurations, enabling our methods integrators to scale back commissioning occasions even additional.”
ABB says OmniCore gives seven advantages for robotics deployment and administration. Supply: ABB Robotics
ABB plans for compatibility throughout its robots
ABB stated its historical past of robotics innovation started with “the world’s first microprocessor-controlled robotic” in 1974. It launched the RobotStudio software program in 1998 and acquired Sevensense in 2024 to carry industry-leading AI-based navigation know-how to its autonomous cellular robots (AMRs) bought with ASTI in 2021.
OmniCore replaces ABB Robotics’ IRC5 controller, which will likely be phased out in June 2026. The firm plans to proceed to assist its prospects with spare elements and providers by the remaining lifetime of the robotic. Is new {hardware} wanted to improve?
Current customers want solely to make some minimal re-engineering for connectivity, wiring, and the personalized consumer interface on the FlexPendant, replied Segura. “We’re nonetheless compliant with all of the sensors used on IRC5 and have added extra alternatives on the OmniCore platform,” he stated.
Along with managing movement, sensors, and software tools, OmniCore will be capable to handle ABB’s collaborative robots, acknowledged Segura. “We additionally plan to run all our AMRs and cellular manipulators to run on OmniCore within the close to future,” he stated.
OmniCore is now accessible, and ABB is taking orders. The corporate is internet hosting a digital convention for the brand new OmniCore platform at 10:00 CEST (4:00 a.m. EDT) on June 4, 2024. It is going to be accessible to those that register after the launch occasion.
