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ABB and Tenova supply technology to Hasçelik for making ‘special steel’

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ABB has partnered with Tenova, a developer and provider of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, to install and commission equipment in a new Hasçelik steel plant in Osmaneli, Turkey, about 200 km south-east of Istanbul.

Hasçelik is one of Turkey’s leading manufacturers of “special steel” with a total of five manufacturing plants and other locations worldwide.

The new line will comprise Consteel Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) equipped with Consteerrer electromagnetic liquid steel stirring system, a ladle furnace and a twin vacuum degasser. [Read more…] about ABB and Tenova supply technology to Hasçelik for making ‘special steel’

ABB Robotics launches OptiFact to unlock full potential of factory data

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ABB Robotics has released its new modular OptiFact software platform, which streamlines data collection, visualization, and analysis in automated production facilities.

The platform enables users to collect, manage, and analyze data from hundreds of factory devices, including ABB robots, to determine key performance indicators including cycle time and overall equipment efficiency (OEE).

By speeding up diagnostics and decision making, OptiFact increases the production line uptime with less engineering effort, ensuring production can keep pace with customer demand. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics launches OptiFact to unlock full potential of factory data

ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe

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Industrial power and automation giant ABB is planning to invest $280 million to expand its manufacturing footprint in Europe and build a stunning new state-of-the-art facility in Västerås, Sweden – the ABB Robotics European Campus.

The Campus will serve as the hub for ABB Robotics’ offering in Europe, providing customers with AI-enabled collaborative and industrial robots, as well as digital solutions to support flexible automation as part of the company’s “local for local” production strategy.

Replacing the existing robotics facilities at the site, the new Campus is planned to open in late 2026. [Read more…] about ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe

ABB makes collaborative robots capable of heavier payloads, longer reach

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ABB has launched two new variants of its GoFa collaborative robot. The GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 open new possibilities for companies to leverage cobot automation for enhanced efficiency.

Handling payloads of up to 10 and 12 kilograms with market-leading repeatability, the cobots accomplish an expanded range of tasks in close collaboration with factory workers, addressing skills and labor shortages while improving safety and productivity.

Offering straightforward programming and rapid integration into production environments, the new variants lower barriers to entry for first-time users, educators and SMEs. [Read more…] about ABB makes collaborative robots capable of heavier payloads, longer reach

ABB expands large robot family with four ‘energy saving’ models, 22 variants

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ABB Robotics is expanding its large robot range with four new models and 22 variants, offering more choice, increased coverage and greater performance.

The next generation models include the IRB 6710, IRB 6720, IRB 6730 and IRB 6740, suitable for payloads ranging from 150 kg to 310 kg, with a reach from 2.5 m to 3.2 m, offering customers greater choice and significant performance and energy efficiency improvements.

Marc Segura, president of ABB’s Robotics Division, says: “Sustainable production is a major priority of automotive manufacturers, with 78 percent of companies identifying it as important to their business and 77 percent identifying it as a priority for their customers. [Read more…] about ABB expands large robot family with four ‘energy saving’ models, 22 variants

World’s most remote robot automates Amazon reforestation project

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A pilot project between ABB Robotics and US non-profit organization Junglekeepers is demonstrating the role Cloud computing technology can play in making reforestation faster, more efficient and scalable.

ABB Robotics is supporting Junglekeepers in their mission to protect 55,000 acres of Amazon rainforest and reverse deforestation.

In a first-of-its-kind demonstration, ABB’s cobot YuMi is automating planting tasks in a jungle laboratory, speeding the process and allowing Junglekeepers’ volunteers to focus their valuable time and resources on more impactful work. [Read more…] about World’s most remote robot automates Amazon reforestation project

ABB launches ‘complete’ robot training package to prepare students for future work

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Package includes easy-to-use GoFa collaborative robot cell, 56 hours of teaching materials and globally recognized STEM certification

ABB Robotics is aiming to “close the global education gap in automation” and prepare students for the future of work with the launch of a ready-to-use education package. Comprising a GoFa collaborative robot (cobot), teaching materials and a globally recognized technical qualification, the package is part of ABB Robotics global campaign to help workers thrive in a new era of automation. 

The ABB Robotics Education Package has been created to ensure educational establishments can provide highly skilled young people for companies looking to benefit from robotic automation.

Although some 80 percent of global educators see automation shaping employment in the next 10 years, only one in four education institutes incorporate robotics into their curriculum. Barriers include the lack of teachers trained in robotics and automation and the difficulty in incorporating robotics training into the curriculum seamlessly. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘complete’ robot training package to prepare students for future work

ABB predicts top US robotics trends

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With annual revenue in the US robotics market expected to grow at 5.62 percent, resulting in a market volume of over $9 billion by 2027, John Bubnikovich, president of ABB US Robotics Division, is making several predictions on key trends in in robotics automation in the US for 2023 and beyond.

Bubnikovich says: ”The impact of US labor shortages is increasingly being felt by many businesses as they struggle to keep pace with customer demands, even with the potential for some softening in the US economy in the short-term.

“This, combined with global political uncertainty, fragile supply chains and rising material costs, in addition to the growing trend of reshoring and nearshoring of operations, means more companies are adopting robotic automation to maximize flexibility, build resilience and adapt more sustainable production processes.” [Read more…] about ABB predicts top US robotics trends

BrainBox AI receives $20 million investment from Québec Government and ABB. Then decides to buy ABB business unit

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BrainBox AI, a developer of autonomous building technology, has raised $20 million to support the continued development of BrainBox AI’s decarbonization technology and its global commercialization efforts.

The company raised the funds from the Government of Québec, the lead investor for 10 million US dollars; and ABB, a returning lead investor and global partner to BrainBox AI.

Sam Ramadori, CEO at BrainBox AI, says: “We are grateful for this significant investment from the Québec Government and ABB. Having their support propels our mission to provide commercial real estate owners and retailers around the globe with a scalable and impactful decarbonization tool. [Read more…] about BrainBox AI receives $20 million investment from Québec Government and ABB. Then decides to buy ABB business unit

ABB unveils AI-enabled robotic item picker for warehouses

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ABB Robotics has enhanced its industry-leading logistics automation portfolio with the launch of the Robotic Item Picker – a new AI and vision-based solution that can accurately detect and pick items in unstructured environments in warehouses and fulfillment centers.

Daniel Navarro, managing director of consumer segments and service robotics at ABB Robotics, says: “The explosion of e-commerce, changing consumer demands, and global labor shortages are driving the need for flexible automated solutions that make order fulfillment and distribution faster and more efficient.

“With its ability to learn and adapt in constantly changing warehouse environments, our AI-enabled Robotic Item Picker sees items and decides how to pick them, at speed with more than 99.5 percent efficiency, helping businesses overcome these challenges and build resilience.” [Read more…] about ABB unveils AI-enabled robotic item picker for warehouses