INDUSTRY News


Universal Robots adds a 20kg industrial cobot to its portfolio


Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots, Universal Robots, is adding a new 20kg cobot to its product range. Called UR20, the cobot features a new joint design and software that will increase its cycle times and loads. Its 1750mm reach can work to the full height of the standard Euro pallet, helping transform the way businesses package and palletise stock. In addition to palletising, the firm expects its UR20 to be used for welding, material handling, machine loading and tending, as well as for innovative solutions created by the extensive partner ecosystem. “This is the cobot redefined,” said Kim Povlsen, Universal Robots’s President. “The UR20 is the most innovative cobot we have produced and the latest evolution in 17 years of technical experience in the robotics industry. Our expert engineers have completely re-engineered the arm whilst retaining the same intuitive user interface.” Universal Robots launched the world’s first commercial cobot in 2008, with over 50,000 cobots sold to date, and many more in the planning.


“The UR20 is just the beginning. We’re launching our next generation with this high-payload model first to market because it will make end-to-end automation a reality for our customers, allowing them to use cobot automation for new tasks,” said Povlsen.


ABB COLUMN


REALISING THE VALUE OF PARTNERSHIP


As uncertainty persists and the impacts of factors such as geopolitical disputes, skills shortages and the lingering effects of COVID-19 are felt throughout industry, companies from manufacturing and logistics through to retail are realising the importance of making their processes more resilient. For many the answer is to use automation to provide both improved


efficiency and the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Our own surveys of the UK manufacturing sector have revealed


that, when it comes to robotic automation, many companies are unsure of where to start, either because they have never used robots before or they lack in-house resources and skills to design, build and commission robotic solutions. This is why we have created our network of Value Providers, each hand-picked for their expertise in creating automated solutions for specific industries and applications. Combining knowledge and expertise, our Value Providers can


produce bespoke solutions that work in harmony with ABB robots, whether it’s tooling for the robot itself, ancillary equipment such as conveyors or even mobile containerised solutions. They can even simulate and test the robot system using tools such as our RobotStudio offline programming software, and carry out trials and troubleshooting on site. The ABB Value Provider network is an extension of our commitment to delivering outstanding service and support – meeting solutions for demanding applications means that we can broaden the appeal of robotic automation to both SMEs and larger companies alike. With the help of our Value Providers, our robots have transformed processes in various applications and industries around the world, with examples including handling ceramic flagons, automated handling of heavyweight automotive equipment, slicing confectionary and meat products, as well as handling of fragile food products, to name but a few. As more companies look to the possibilities that robotic automation can bring, the benefits that can be achieved by combining our proven technologies with the collective experience and expertise of our Value Provider network will help to create a smoother switch to robots for businesses of all sizes.


Nigel Platt LBL Manager, UK and Ireland, ABB Robotics


AUT-NOV21-BRITISH ENCODER:AUT-NOV21-BRITISH ENCODER 26/10/2021 13:52 Page 1


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Automation | July/August 2022


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