Flexible Tube Press and Weld System Wins Award

The assembly is then loaded into an Flex Arc Weld cell that features two IRB 1600 welding robots, with each robot welding the left and right axle. Utilizing an ABB dual fixture IRBP Positioner, the arc welding robots weld an axle in one fixture while the IRB 6600 loads the next axle to be welded on the second positioner fixture.

Each IRB 1600 robot is capable of welding both the left and right axle tube, providing valuable backup redundancy to reduce production downtime during maintenance.

The Press and Weld System features MultiMove™ and SafeMove™ technology allowing the IRC5 controller to move the robots in fully coordinated motion and work collaboratively in very tight floor spaces, drastically reducing the Manufacturing footprint.

SafeMove is both a software and electronics based safety controller that provides Category 3 safety rated supervision of robot motion. Together they enable leaner robot cell solutions and more collaborative applications where robots and operators can work more closely together and under safe conditions.

ABB Robotics in Auburn Hills has since received two additional orders for similar Press and Weld systems from Ford.

This is the second year in a row that an ABB Robotics system has won the Ford Powertrain Manufacturing TMM Excellence Award in North America. In 2011 an ABB Robotic Torque Converter Assembly cell utilizing Force Control won the “Top Award” out of 77 total nominations.

ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. www.abb.com

ABB Robotics is a leading supplier of industrial robots – also providing robot software, peripheral equipment, modular manufacturing cells and service for tasks such as welding, handling, assembly, painting and finishing, picking, packing, palletizing and machine tending.

Key markets include automotive, plastics, metal fabrication, foundry, electronics, machine tools, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries. A strong solutions focus helps manufacturers improve productivity, product quality and worker safety. ABB has installed more than 200,000 robots worldwide. www.abb.com/robotics