"Until now, anyone who wanted to use a single plug-and-play cobot from ABB at multiple workstations often faced days of programming and communication effort. To solve this problem, we have preconfigured our Movotrak CTU, recently added to the ABB Robotics partner ecosystem, so that it can interact directly with ABB cobots without any additional effort. Integrators, distributors, and end users can now spend more time solving productivity problems with the 7th axis instead of dealing with complex integration details," explains Kevin Zaba, Executive Vice President and President of the Automation & Motion Control business unit at Regal Rexnord.
The Thomson Movotrak CTU offers numerous advantages as a 7th motion axis:
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Extended operating range: The Movotrak CTU is the first collaborative 7th axis to extend the conventional working range of cobots to up to 10 meters.
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Flexible mounting options: Movement from one workstation to another along a rail can be achieved by floor, wall or ceiling mounting.
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Collision detection: The first 7th axis solution with collision detection that stops the cobot immediately when it encounters an obstacle.
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Increased productivity: Less downtime due to reduced teaching and installation effort thanks to the 7th axis's Freedrive mode.
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Fully integrated solution from a single source: Thomson linear units can be seamlessly integrated with other Regal Rexnord components, such as Boston Gear gear units, Huco couplings, and Kollmorgen motors and associated software, to form a complete, high-performance assembly with a single part number.
“This collaboration with ABB Robotics is an impressive demonstration of how Regal Rexnord's broad range of technologies can be integrated into highly efficient, ready-to-use end-to-end solutions,” added Louis Pinkham, CEO of Regal Rexnord. "By combining the technical expertise of our Thomson, Kollmorgen, Boston Gear, and Huco brands into a 7th axis available in the ABB Robotics partner ecosystem, we enable our customers to easily add productivity and flexibility to their automation strategies. This also demonstrates once again our consistent commitment to innovation and value creation through higher-level concepts at the system level."
The ABB Robotics ecosystem
ABB partners develop complete packages consisting of pre-assembled accessory and software modules that are compatible with the entire ABB portfolio of robot solutions and are easy to integrate. With these fully integrated, ready-to-use package solutions, both end users and system integrators can significantly reduce the time and effort required to set up robots in new application scenarios.
Regal Rexnord's participation in the ABB ecosystem includes modifications to the mounting hardware, the development of a special, easy-to-connect cable set, and the programming of an interface to the ABB software platform and development environment, including an ABB web app, a wizard, and programming tools for the RAPID™ module code. This integration allows certified ABB robot application developers to access Thomson configuration tools directly from the ABB FlexPendant user interface.
For more information, visit https://www.thomsonlinear.com/de/produkte/robot-transfer-units/collaborative-7th-axis-abb
About ABB Robotics
ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation is one of the world's leading suppliers of robotics and machine automation. It is the only company with a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and machine automation solutions – developed and coordinated via ABB's value-adding software. The company supports customers of all sizes and in all industries – from automotive and electronics to logistics – in outperforming their competitors with greater resilience, flexibility, and efficiency. To this end, ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation accompanies its customers on their journey to the connected and collaborative factory: leaner and cleaner for a better future. The business has around 11,000 employees at over 100 locations in more than 50 countries. go.abb/robotics
About Regal Rexnord
Regal Rexnord's 30,000 employees worldwide are working to build a better future by developing sustainable solutions for power, motion and control. The company's automation portfolio of controls, drives, precision motors, actuators, and linear systems enables controlled motion in a variety of applications, from factory automation to surgical precision instruments.
The company's linear actuator brands—Thomson, Nook, and Delevan—have nearly 80 years of innovation in motion control. They are the leading manufacturers of linear actuators, Ball Bushing® linear ball bearings, profile rail linear guides, 60 Case® LinearRace® guide shafts, ground and rolled ball screw drives, sliding and trapezoidal screw drives, spindle lift drives, linear units, robot/cobot transfer units, and the corresponding components. Since the invention of the ball bushing linear bearing in 1945, the company's brands have continued to set new standards with unique solutions for linear technology. Through its development, production, and sales locations in North America, Europe, and Asia, the company supplies customers worldwide in the material handling, industrial automation, medical and healthcare, food and beverage, aerospace, military, mobile machinery, and many other markets.
Regal Rexnord is organized into three business segments: Industrial Powertrain Solutions, Power Efficiency Solutions, and Automation & Motion Control. The company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has manufacturing, sales, and service facilities around the world. For more information, including a copy of the sustainability report, visit RegalRexnord.com.
Source: www.RegalRexnord.com
