OmniVance machine tending cell uses ABB cobot to address labor shortages

The new OmniVance Collaborative Machine Tending Cell has a compact footprint. Source: ABB Robotics

ABB Robotics today introduced the OmniVance Collaborative Machine Tending Cell, which it said is easy to program, install, and use. The integrated system combines a collaborative GoFa 12 collaborative robot with software in a compact design.

“Our new package makes it easier for users to efficiently access the benefits of robotic automation for machine tending, dramatically reducing setup time and the need for engineering skills,” stated Craig McDonnell, managing director of ABB Robotics Business Line Industries.

“Machine tending is a highly repetitive, output-driven task that requires precision, making it an ideal candidate for automation,” he added. “As companies struggle to find skilled workers, automating tasks such as machine tending enable them to utilize their workforces more effectively.”

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GoFa 12 promises to reduce time on repetitive tasks

The OmniVance cell can reduce the time spent on repetitive machine-tending tasks by up to 60%, freeing up workers to take on more rewarding, high-value jobs, claimed ABB.

Featuring a portable design for easy movement between different machines, the cell uses the GoFa 12, which combines a reach of 1.27 m (4.1 ft.) with repeatable precision for loads up to 10 kg (22 lb.), the company said. The cobot is IP67-certified, making it suitable for applications such as metal fabrication or machine tool building where oil, water, or dust may be present.

The GoFa 12 also includes power- and force-limiting capabilities to work safely alongside human operators without the need for conventional barriers. ​

All major components of the cell are pre-engineered and integrated, including the GoFa cobot, tray system, and standard gripper, with just one day needed for installation and setup, according to ABB.

The GoFa 12 cobot at the heart of the OmniVance cell is designed for easy programming. Source: ABB

OmniVance includes software for ease of use

ABB Robotics, a unit of ABB Group, said its new cell is easy to program, providing the flexibility needed for high-mix, low-volume production.

OmniVance uses ABB’s Wizard Easy Programming software, whose “no-code,” block-based technology is intended to enable even first-time users to create and adjust programs in minutes. The company noted that its dedicated WebApp also enables users to learn to operate the cell themselves, without needing formal training in robotics programming.

ABB asserted that OmniCell makes it easier for systems integrators and end users to determine specifications and minimizes the rick of project overruns. In addition, the company said its global service network supports “quick changeovers, easy expansion, and timely support.”

The OmniVance Collaborative Machine Tending cell is the latest in ABB’s growing range of cobot-based systems aimed at addressing the skills gap and lowering barriers to automation in manufacturing. The range also includes the OmniVance Collaborative Arc Welding Cell, which uses ABB’s GoFa 5 cobot as part of an integrated package to enable users to automate high-quality welding without prior robotics experience.