ABB Introduces Two New Digitally-Connected Robot Controllers

ABB is adding two new members to its OmniCore controller family. Available for a range of robots across ABB’s portfolio, the new E10 and V250XT controllers reportedly offer 20% energy savings and future-proofing through built-in digital connectivity and 1000+ additional functions to meet changing requirements. These two new controllers are said to enhance robot control in a variety of industries, from electronics assembly to automotive, logistics and general manufacturing.

Both controllers include over 1,000 hardware and software functions encompassing areas such as programming, offline commissioning and simulation, maintenance, vision and safety. The controllers also feature built-in connectivity to ABB Ability Connected Services cloud-based service suite for robots, which reportedly offers new opportunities for improving performance through enhanced predictive maintenance and lifecycle management.

ABB is also introducing its Internet of Things (IoT) Gateway open automation software for OmniCore. IoT Gateway is said to enable the seamless transmission of data from the factory floor, machine to machine (M2M), robots to other machines and robots to sensors, to the MES/ERP system or to the cloud. In addition, the inclusion of ABB’s TrueMove and QuickMove motion control technology in both controllers is said to offer class-leading cycle times, high speed, position repeatability and path accuracy. This enables ABB’s new robots to operate up to 25% faster than their predecessors.

Featuring a slimline 19" rack-mount design, the E10 is reportedly ideal for confined space and high-density production lines where space saving is a key requirement. The E10 controller is designed to power ABB’s Scara robots and articulated robots with payloads of up to 11 kg.

Designed to power articulated robots with a payload of up to 300 kg such as IRB 6700, the OmniCore V250XT controller offers a solution for use in electric vehicle production, automotive manufacturing, logistics and general industrial applications.

The OmniCore E10 and V250XT controllers consume up to 20% less energy compared to ABB’s previous IRC5 controllers due to energy-saving power re-generation technology and brake energy recovery.