ABB Robotics introduced its highest payload, multipurpose industrial robot — the IRB 8700 — with a reach of 3.5 meters and capable of handling a payload of up to 800 kg (1000 kg with the wrist down; 630 kg with LeanID, the “integrated dressing” package that integrates the most exposed parts of the dress pack into the robot, making it easier to program, providing a more compact footprint, and extending cable life due to less wear and tear.) The new IRB 8700 is designed to provide industrial operations with exceptional “uptime, reliability and reduced maintenance,” and reportedly provides the lowest total cost of ownership among high-payload robot models.
“When designing the IRB 8700, we focused on combining ABB’s largest ever model with an unusually long reach for a robot in the high payload class,” explained John Bubnikovich, vice president, sales and marketing, ABB Robotics North America. “Utilizing ABB’s superior motion control technology at high moments of inertia, the new robot automatically adapts and adjusts its speed to accommodate heavy and wide parts.
“With a compact footprint, optimized counterweight, parallel linkages, stiff axes and fewer drive motors, the IRB 8700 keeps its momentum down and speed up, providing unmatched agility and performance,” he added.
The developer noted the IRB 8700 offers the same range of functionality and expertise as the rest of the ABB Robotics portfolio, “in a much bigger package.” The robot has only one motor and one gear per robot axis, while most other robots in this size class use dual motors and/or gears. In addition, there are no gas springs; only a reliable counterweight and mechanical springs for counter balancing.
Together these design elements mean the IRB 8700 has fewer components and is able to deliver shorter cycle times and higher accuracy – making it 25% faster than any comparable robots in its payload range.
The IRB 8700 is available in two configurations, one with a reach of 4.2 meters and a payload of 550 kg (620 kg with the wrist down; 475 kg with LeanID); the other with a reach of 3.5 meters and a payload of 800 kg (1000 kg with the wrist down; 630 kg with LeanID). Both configurations also have a high moment of inertia at 725 kgm2.
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