ABB FlexLoader

Main articles:

• Robots (robotics)
• Industrial robots

2021: FlexLoader M

On October 27, 2021, ABB announced the production of a family of modular cells for servicing machines in the metallurgical industry - FlexLoader M. They are flexible and optimize the level of use of machines, minimizing productivity losses caused by unforeseen production shutdowns.

FlexLoader M

According to the company, the FlexLoader M family, consisting of six different versions of cells, offers various methods of loading and unloading machines depending on the size, shape and number of machined parts. This makes them a suitable solution for such tasks as casting and injection molding, during which several types of products are produced in different quantities.

FlexLoader M offers a single unified platform for machine maintenance, characterized by the flexibility needed to solve a wide range of production tasks, as well as an increase in 2/3 of the performance by reducing the time, costs and failures traditionally associated with changes in production. told Andrea Cassoni, managing director of robotics for general industries, ABB

The family starts with Tray and Conveyer cell variants, and other variants will be released in the coming months. FlexLoader M Conveyor uses a simple but powerful vision system that allows you to load blanks of a complex shape, providing flexibility in processing different blanks with a single cell.

FlexLoader M Tray is a solution with a drawer that allows you to service the machine. Due to its minimum footprint, which allows it to be placed almost anywhere, it is suitable for processing different parts of various shapes, such as cubes, cylinders, plates and pipes. FlexLoader M with standardized replaceable modules is an extensible solution for a wide range of machine maintenance tasks, including lathes, milling machines, CNC and machining centers.

A key feature is the ability to use the same base machine, changing loading and loading modules at the entrance and exit as production requirements change. The modular approach of FlexLoader M optimizes upgrade and scaling, since on average it takes only one to two days to install and commission.

Robotic cells of FlexLoader M are extremely convenient to use and are quickly programmed even without special knowledge in the field of robotics. An intelligent configuration wizard allows you to program parts in less than five minutes without any machine vision programming skills. You can switch between already programmed parts in less than one minute, which makes production on the principle of "lot size - one part" a reality.

Ease software of programming means that the operator can complete training in less than half a day, which further reduces the time required to put the cell into operation. FlexLoader M can reduce labor costs for machine maintenance processes by up to 90%, while one operator can process up to 10 cells at a time. The automated system provides a machine utilization rate of more than 97% compared to 40-60% in manual machines. All cell variants can be equipped with a vision system that determines the position of the workpiece and gives commands to machines and to the robot other equipment connected to the network, for example, air purification stations, marking systems, burrs removal and measurements.

The 3/3 vision system can use either a 2D camera or a 3D sensor depending on the task. FlexLoader M is also equipped with data-based optimization features, including remote monitoring, which allows operators to monitor, fix problems and optimize their robotic systems. The cell vision software has additional functions, including status monitoring, fleet management, and performance and order management. FlexLoader M will replace the current family of cells FlexLoader of the ABB company. Cells are FlexLoader characterized by a number of characteristics, including a higher utilization of machine tools and the ability to fail-safe production due to battery life.