ABB’S NEW INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS REVOLUTIONISE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY

In a significant leap for industrial automation, ABB has unveiled two advanced robots, the IRB 7710 and IRB 7720, which promise to set new benchmarks in energy efficiency and operational productivity. These models are the latest additions to ABB’s expanded portfolio of large, modular robots designed to meet the evolving demands of diverse industries such as automotive, general manufacturing and logistics.

State-of-the-art energy efficiency

One of the most outstanding features of the IRB 7710 and IRB 7720 robots is their ability to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%. This impressive achievement is largely attributed to the incorporation of ABB’s OmniCore controller. The OmniCore controller not only optimises motion control with high precision, but also integrates regeneration technology, allowing the robots to feed unused energy back into the power grid. This dual capability not only improves the sustainability profile of the robots, but also contributes to overall energy savings in industrial operations.

Improved productivity

In addition to energy efficiency, these robots offer a significant increase in productivity. Compared to their predecessors, such as the IRB 7600, the IRB 7710 and IRB 7720 reduce cycle times by up to 25%. This improvement is critical for industries that want to maximise throughput without compromising quality. The new robots are capable of handling payloads from 280kg to 620kg, making them versatile tools for high-demand applications such as automotive pressing, electric vehicle battery assembly and high-precision machining.

Versatility and precision

The IRB 7710 and IRB 7720 offer unrivalled flexibility with 16 new variants, bringing the total number of variants in ABB‘s large robot portfolio to 46. This wide range allows operators to select the ideal robot configuration for specific tasks, ensuring optimal performance in different industrial applications. The robots’ path accuracy of up to 0.6 mm, coupled with speeds of up to 1600 mm/s, positions them as leaders in high-speed, high-precision operations.

Real-world applications

These advances are especially beneficial for the automotive industry, where the IRB 7710, for example, can increase the production output of robotic press lines from 12 to 15 strokes per minute, producing up to 900 parts per hour. This increase in efficiency is crucial to meet the high demands of modern automotive manufacturing, especially in the production of electric and hybrid vehicles.

In the construction sector, the new robots support the growing trend towards modular construction, as they are able to efficiently assemble steel building structures and perform surface finishing tasks faster and with higher quality. This versatility makes them indispensable in sectors that require both high payload handling and precision.

ABB’s introduction of the IRB 7710 and IRB 7720 robots marks a significant breakthrough in industrial robotics. Combining significant energy savings with increased productivity, these robots not only meet the demands of today’s diverse industries, but also set a new standard for sustainable and efficient industrial automation. As companies continue to seek solutions that align with productivity and sustainability goals, ABB’s new offerings provide a compelling option for forward-thinking operations.