ABB eliminates manual 3D robot programming with new software

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• Fabricating Products

Click image to enlargeRobotics firm ABB has added 3D printing capabilities to its RobotStudio simulation and offline programming software to program ABB robots for additive manufacturing in just 30 minutes.

Part of the PowerPac portfolio of RobotStudio, the new 3D Printing feature eliminates manual programming. The 3D Printing PowerPac supports a variety of processes, such as welding and printing with granules or concrete and is ideal for low-volume, high-mix printing.

Traditional methods of 3D printing using machines are time consuming, as programming the printing paths involves plotting millions of points and trajectories. With ABB’s new 3D Printing PowerPac, any standard slicer software design can be 'translated’ into ABB’s simulation environment and robot code.

This means an operator can progress from the CAD design stage to final modeling of a product in just half an hour.

“With our new 3D Printing software, we are offering customers a faster and more streamlined 3D printing process. Coupled with the high performance of our robots, this means manufacturers can now produce high-quality 3D printed objects for a variety of industrial applications more efficiently,” said Steven Wyatt, head of portfolio and digital at ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation.

ABB Robotics is a leading robotics suppliers, active in 53 countries and 100 locations and have shipped over 400,000 robot solutions for a diverse range of industries and applications.

www.abb.com/robotics