Drives & Controls March 2023

n TECHNOLOGY March 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com 18 ABB HAS ANNOUNCED a robot designed to bridge the gap between existing industrial and collaborative robots (cobots). The Swifti CRB 1300 cobot is claimed to be six times faster and five times more precise than other robots in its class, while the combination of a 7–11kg payload capacity and a top speed of 6.2m/s is claimed to boost production efficiency by up to 44%. The cobot, which has a reach of 0.9–1.4m, can perform a variety of tasks including screwdriving, assembly, pick- and-place, and palletising. It is said to be ideal for tasks requiring consistent accuracy and repeatability. With protection against dust and moisture up to IP67, it can be used in demanding environments, making it suitable for machine-tending applications. In a typical palletising application, the cobot can handle up to 13 boxes per minute compared to the nine boxes possible with others in its class, says ABB. The cobot prioritises operator safety, using a safety laser scanner integrated with ABB’s SafeMove collaborative safety software. Together, these technologies allow safe collaboration with human workers without the space and costs associated with protective fencing or other physical barriers. If the scanner detects a worker in the Swifti’s operating area, the software slows or stops the robot automatically. When the worker moves away, movement is restarted, returning to full speed only once the working area is completely clear. A light indicates the cobot’s status when workers are in its workspace area. Integrating the scanner and software is said to be easy, with SafeMove allowing workers to set up a safe working zone and other safety features using a pendant. “Our customers are looking to robotic automation to make their processes more flexible, efficient and resilient, helping to counter labour shortages by enabling their employees to perform more value-added work,”says Andrea Cassoni, ABB’s global managing director for general industry robotics.“The latest addition to our Swifti family is a highly accurate, high-payload cobot that’s up to six times faster than others in its class. This means it can be used by both SMEs and large manufacturers looking for collaborative automated solutions to achieve new levels of flexibility and productivity.” The new cobot is powered by ABB’s OmniCore C30 and C90XT controllers. Users can set up the robot either by guiding it physically through a process (lead-through programming), or by using ABB’s newWizard Easy programming software, based on simple graphical blocks, whichmakes programming accessible for non-specialists. The Swifti CRB 1300 is part of ABB’s wider cobot portfolio which covers payloads from 0.5–11kg. An earlier member of the family, the Swifti CRB 1100 cobot for payloads up to 4kg, was announced in 2021. https://new.abb.com/products/ robotics/collaborative-robots ABB HAS ANNOUNCED a new generation of low-maintenance, water-cooled motors that achieve IE5 efficiencies and are claimed to have power densities that are 50% higher than similarly-sized motors. The Baldor-Reliance HydroCool XT motors are available in induction (IE3) or permanent magnet rotor (IE5) versions, in four Nema frame sizes from 45-930kW (60-1,250hp). The motors’ water-jacket cooling achieves higher thermal conductivities than air-cooled machines, helping to extend their lives, while eliminating the need for fans or air filters. They are said to deliver more power in a smaller footprint than similarly sized totally enclosed, fan-cooled motors. Cooling efficiency is maintained even at low speeds, allowing the motors to operate direct-on-line or as variable-speed drives without derating or power losses. They are suitable for constant- torque applications. Shaft grounding is standard to protect the bearings. The motors support ABB’s Ability Smart Sensor condition-monitoring technology to provide instant information on their health and performance, and generating data to make operations efficient, predictable and safe. The IP55-protected (IP56 optional) motors are aimed at industries such as pulp and paper, water and wastewater, mining and aggregates, as well as extreme marine duties. “The power- and torque-dense design of the HydroCool XT reduces its size and, since the cooling is built into the frame, there is no need for extra space around the motor for air flow,” explains Matt Felt, global product manager for Baldor-Reliance Navy & Marine Motors. “The motor is quieter than comparable air-cooled motors, and it’s able to achieve high efficiency ratings. These features result in a smaller physical footprint and lower overall operating costs when compared to similarly powered motors.” https://drivesncontrols.news/8kxlzl Low-maintenance water-cooled motors deliver efficiencies of up to IE5 11kg capacity arm bridges the gap between robots and cobots ABB says that its new Swifti CRB 1300 robot bridges the gap between industrial and collaborative robots