ABB has acquired SVIA, a provider in the fast-growing market of robot automation cells for machine tending.
SVIA, headquartered in Jönköping, Sweden, builds automated solutions for machine tending processes, using robots to feed components to lathes and mills, and to secondary processes like assembly, washing and part marking.
SVIA has a portfolio of over 800 machine tending cell solutions which integrate robotic automation to increase the productivity, flexibility and quality of manufacturing.
These solutions, together with ABB’s position in what it calls the “Internet of Things, Services and People” (IoTSP), will provide a unique set of value propositions to industrial customers globally, says the company. The parties agreed not to disclose the value of the transaction.
The acquisition expands ABB’s machine tending portfolio with a wider variety of advanced and vision-integrated applications for industries including automotive, plastics and electronics, such as smartphone manufacturing.
The expanded offering will benefit both machine OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and established CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine users as well as ABB’s global network of channel partners.
Pekka Tiitinen, president of ABB’s discrete automation and motion division, says: “SVIA’s pioneering automation solutions fit perfectly into ABB’s leading global Robotics business unit. SVIA already uses ABB robots across its innovative portfolio of machine tending solutions.
“We co-developed ABB’s FlexMT robot automation cell which can increase machine tool utilization by up to 90 per cent, compared to 50 per cent utilization with manual machine tending.
“Together, we will enhance growth through our strong commitment to customer focus and by providing integrated, complete solutions based on the IoTSP. This approach has been the cornerstone of SVIA’s success and is a key part of ABB’s Next Level growth strategy.”
The strong interest in robotic machine tending automation is being driven by the need to enhance productivity and flexibility as production shifts towards smaller lots of more diverse products.
It is believed that robot automation can improve safety by protecting workers from fast-moving machinery.
SVIA’s solutions portfolio, combined with ABB’s machine tending software, reduce engineering costs that are the most significant expense when installing a new machine, claim the companies.
SVIA supports simplicity in its solutions, and offers an intuitive mobile software app which provides real-time reports on production rates, machine status and stoppage alerts.
This is part of the integrated ecosystem of the IoTSP, which can deliver higher levels of productivity and reliability.
SVIA will become part of the Robotics business unit of ABB’s discrete automation and motion division, and its global application center for machine tending.
