Advancing Path-Savvy, Safety-Conscious Robotics With ABB OmniCore

ABB recently announced the launch of its innovative fully-integrated hardware and software platform for enhancing the sustainability and control of autonomous robotics applications. The OmniCore platform is a product of $170 million in investment to push forward a new era of intelligent human-centric robotics. ABB develops and supplies innovative sustainability-focused electrification and industrial automation solutions, delivering connected hardware and software systems to support the transition to greater connectivity under the umbrella sometimes known as ‘Industry 5.0’.

OmniCore provides a centralized platform for robot application development. Image used courtesy of ABB

Key Features of OmniCore

OmniCore has a scalable and flexible control architecture that allows for the development of a wide range of connected robotic applications. This solution is ideal for firms introducing automation into industries such as biotechnology and construction.

With OmniCore, users can efficiently develop, manage, maintain, and optimize their operations. Over 1,000 hardware and software functions and applications offer technologies such as ABB's Absolute Accuracy, QuickMove, TrueMove, PickMaster Twin, hardware vision systems, fieldbus connections, conveyor tracking, and more.

ABB’s OmniCore also champions sustainability, banking 20% in energy savings by integrating regeneration technologies and power back to the grid initiative.

Application Agnostic Robotics

OmniCore connects to all primary robot communication protocols in one central platform, enabling sensor, conveyor, camera, and track motion integration, among others.

With the largest range of controllers available, OmniCore covers a wider, scalable robot and manipulator repository to access, monitor, and manage diverse applications. Controllers leverage both QuickMove and TrueMove motion control technologies to allow robots to modify acceleration and speed to optimize path execution automatically. Robots are capable of a 0.6 mm path accuracy while taking on speeds of up to 1600 mm/s.

ABB provides an overview of its SafeMove software solution for human-machine collaborative working. Video used courtesy of ABB

Application areas include arc welding, laser cutting, dispensing and sealing, inspection, machining, painting, palleting and palletizing, material handling, and more.

Customers can leverage RobotStudio to create an OmniCore controller to emulate a real-world counterpart and program robot applications offline. RobotStudio was built upon the foundations of the ABB Virtual Controller (an identical copy of software installed in physical robot controllers) which provides realistic simulations and configuration files and programs for shop floor robots.

SafeMove is another notable feature of ABB controllers. The collaborative safety software solution allows for the streamlined configuration of safe human-machine collaborative workflows while maximizing space utilization on factory floors. Customers can engineer customizable safety configurations while optimizing productivity and reducing the total investment cost.

Diverse Controller Range

The OmniCore V250XT and V400XT controllers help manufacturers meet changing market needs by automating processes while offering versatility in productivity, scalability, and digitalization. Both controllers provide high-performance motion control, 20% energy savings, built-in digital connectivity, and scalable functionalities ideal for automotive, logistics, and general production.

The V250XT accommodates robots such as the IRB 6740 with payloads of up to 310 kg, can accept three more drive units, and provides 15 liters of extra capacity, with dimensions of 650x480x960 mm. The V400XT accommodates larger robots such as the IRB 8700 with payloads of up to 800 kg, can hold 6 additional drive units, and has an extra area of 50 liters.

The OmniCore E10 controller has a highly slim form factor that is ideal for narrow spaces and busy electronics production lines. This controller is intended to power ABB's SCARA and articulated robots with up to 11 kg payloads, (such as the IRB 1300). The E10 is ideal for orchestrating the assembly of small parts in electronics and general industry, highlighting the value of compact production cells.