The OmniVance™ Machining Cell and Machining Software solutions from ABB bring greater flexibility and simplicity to a range of applications. Cases in point are sanding, polishing, cutting, and surface finishing.

The new Machining Cell is part of ABB’s new OmniVance portfolio of standardized application cells. It is the first to market that can perform up to eight different applications in one cell. Meanwhile, its intuitive Machining Software simplifies programming and reduces set-up time by up to 92 percent.

“The OmniVance Machining Cell and Machining Software are our latest innovations in ABB’s growing robotics portfolio to make automation more accessible, flexible and faster,” said Marc Segura, ABB’s Robotics Division President. “As consumers’ appetite for a greater range of products grows and product lifecycles shrink, manufacturers need to make quick and cost-effective changeovers to stay ahead in the market.”

Unlock Flexibility with OmniVance Machining Cell

Specifically, the OmniVance Machining Cell is composed of the IRB 2600 robot, a controller, and a turn table. Pressure and level sensors and other equipment were combined to form the Machining Cell. All components were pre-tested to guarantee compatibility. Moreover, 90 percent of the cell is already built. This means users only need to focus on tooling and robot calibration.

This level of ‘pre-engineering’ results in a faster set-up and more compact footprint. Eventually, this would ensure that cells can easily integrate into a wide range of production environments. The use of a standardized design also makes it possible to often run up to eight different functions on a single cell. It can be done by simply changing the end effector.

The OmniVance Machining Cell has been shaped by real-life stress tests on 2,400 cells. The result is a highly durable and stable solution suitable for harsh conditions and capable of running unsupervised for 20,000 hours before maintenance is needed.

Simplify Automation with Machining Software

ABB’s Machining Software is the first to integrate auto-calibration and path-tuning functions into a single intuitive tool. This simplifies the process of setting up new products while maximizing accuracy in machining applications, including sanding, deburring, polishing, and dry ice cleaning. The Machining Software is a standalone tool that supports the IRB2600 robot used in the Machining Cell as well as a wide variety of robots from ABB.

Additionally, it calibrates tools and work objects automatically, reducing re-calibration time from four hours to just 10 minutes. Integrated path tuning functionality enables users to easily edit thousands of path points in just half a day, compared to the two days typically needed to obtain a high-quality surface such as that of a cellphone case or an aluminum wheel.

Non-programming experts can easily perform and monitor machining operations with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Faster programming of the machining operation is achieved through simple drag and drop functions, minimizing the risk of errors. Copying and pasting programs between multiple machining stations can further reduce the time it takes to scale up operations.

“Our OmniVance Machining Cell and Machining Software provide new opportunities for unlocking new levels of efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility for businesses across a wide range of sectors, from wood and metals production through to electronics and automotive,” added Segura. “As product design becomes more complex and labor shortages impact, our Machining Cell and Machining Software together can enable businesses to transform their productivity in even the most intricate tasks.”

Complete Application-Specific Solution

The OmniVance FlexArc Compact is one of the latest offerings as part of ABB’s new OmniVance brand, which unifies all ABB standardized application cells. By combining robot, gripper, controller, software, and other components into a single application-specific solution, OmniVance cells require minimal integration effort and reduce the potential for errors. The standardized design of OmniVance cells, coupled with ABB’s global footprint ensures quick changeovers, easy expansion, and timely support.