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ABB opens $100 million global innovation and training campus for machine automation at B&R in Austria

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ABB opened its new global innovation and training campus at the headquarters of B&R in Eggelsberg, Austria, its global center for machine and factory automation. B&R is a subsidiary of ABB. 

The new campus will create up to 1,000 additional high-tech jobs and includes world-class research and development laboratories, as well as global training facilities for up to 4,000 people per year in collaboration with universities. ABB invested EUR 100 million ($103 million) in the expansion of the B&R headquarters.

Campus innovations around artificial intelligence and machine and factory automation will play an essential role in unlocking the potential of future industrial production – in sectors such as electronics, e-mobility, food and beverage, recycling, logistics, or agriculture. [Read more…] about ABB opens $100 million global innovation and training campus for machine automation at B&R in Austria

B&R unveils ‘high-end’ computer for autonomous agricultural and construction vehicles

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Industrial automation company B&R, a subsidiary of ABB, is adding a new high-end computer to its mobile automation portfolio.

The company says the new computer offers significantly more processing power and memory, giving it plenty of resources to implement autonomous functions for agricultural and construction vehicles or self-driving transport systems.

The computer is specially designed to perform in harsh environments. The housing temperature can be between -40°C and +85°C. The computer is also highly resistant to shock and vibration. [Read more…] about B&R unveils ‘high-end’ computer for autonomous agricultural and construction vehicles

ABB unveils weird magnetic levitation system for ‘multi-dimensional manufacturing’

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ABB has expanded its flexible manufacturing portfolio with the launch of an innovative magnetic levitation shuttle system.

The solution is the result of a strategic partnership with Planar Motors (PMI), which enhances ABB business unit B&R’s adaptive machine offering, integrating PMI’s new production technology milestone in open, adaptive manufacturing.

ABB says it is partnering with Canada’s PMI to expand its machine automation offering: The integration of PMI’s magnetic levitation technology into the company’s machine automation division’s (B&R) portfolio will accelerate industry’s transition from strictly linear production to an open, adaptive manufacturing space. [Read more…] about ABB unveils weird magnetic levitation system for ‘multi-dimensional manufacturing’

Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

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A group of students have built a robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology.

The 13 students were given three days to build a machine that uses robots to sort garbage at the international Smart Green Island Makeathon engineering competition.

Austrian automation specialist B&R supported an interdisciplinary team of students from Brno University of Technology, the Kempten University of Applied Sciences, the Technical University of Ostrava, the University of Applied Sciences in Bremerhaven and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. [Read more…] about Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

ABB and B&R launch ‘first fully integrated machine-centric robotics’ solution

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B&R, a unit of ABB’s robotics and discrete automation business unit, has unveiled an initiative which involves the integration of ABB robots into its automation portfolio.

B&R says the move will enable it to offer “unprecedented levels of machine flexibility and precision”, merging robotics with machine control into one unified architecture will enable manufacturers to “embrace the trend of mass customization and optimize their lot size one processes”.

Fully integrating ABB’s robots into its automation systems means that B&R will now be able to supply machine builders with machine automation and robotics from a single source. [Read more…] about ABB and B&R launch ‘first fully integrated machine-centric robotics’ solution

B&R unveils new simulation tool for digital twin development

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B&R has integrated its “industrialPhysics” simulation tool into its Automation Studio engineering environment.

The company says the 3D simulation software greatly simplifies model-based machine development, enabling easier digital twin development.

B&R says developers can import CAD data from machine components or entire machines directly into the simulation tool, and then they can quickly and easily generate a digital twin for developing and testing the machine software. [Read more…] about B&R unveils new simulation tool for digital twin development

B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

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Industrial automation company B&R has been showcasing its technology for mass customisation, or “batch of one”.

The company exhibited its SuperTrak process at the metal industry event EMO, held recently in Germany.

B&R says the metal industry is not immune to the global trend away from bulk annual orders toward small-batch customer orders with short lead times. [Read more…] about B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

ABB to showcase robotic innovations at Pack Expo

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ABB is set to showcase the company’s latest robotic innovations that help packagers manage high mix, low volume production at Pack Expo Las Vegas.

ABB will be in the Central Hall, at booth C-2051, where it will showcase several major new technological innovations.

The company says the innovations will provide the engineering and commissioning efficiency to package more products on the same lines, switch between products with minimal downtime, and quickly ramp up to full-production speed for new products.

Also, for the first time, ABB Robotics and ABB subsidiary B&R Industrial Automation will share adjacent booths, bringing together the most advanced solutions for flexible, high-performance packaging automation. [Read more…] about ABB to showcase robotic innovations at Pack Expo

B&R brings safety to delta robot kinematics

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B&R now offers SafeRobotics functions for tripods to safely monitor all types of delta kinematic systems – or delta robots.

The company says serial axes can also be included in the calculations, for example when tripods are mounted on moving platforms.

Safe robot monitoring is implemented using the safety functions Safely Limited Position, Safely Limited Orientation, Safely Limited Joint Position and Safely Limited Speed. [Read more…] about B&R brings safety to delta robot kinematics

B&R expands its library of HMI widgets

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The new Skyline widget from B&R‘s mapp View HMI software package displays a clear overview of extensive manufacturing systems.

The widget can also be linked to an alarm system. With important information about their machines available at a glance, plant operators are able to react promptly to error messages. This prevents downtime and increases the productivity of the plant.

The interactive HMI element is suitable for modular machines and plants in any industry. The developer simply drags the widget into place on the HMI screen and configures it as needed.

[Read more…] about B&R expands its library of HMI widgets