ABB has introduced its highest payload, multipurpose industrial robot, the IRB 8700. The robot has a reach of 3.5 m and is capable of handling a payload of up to 800 kg (1,000 kg with the wrist down; 630 kg with LeanID). "Designed for an increase in uptime, reliability and reduced maintenance, the IRB 8700 provides a low total cost of ownership," said a company spokesperson. The robot is targeted for material handling applications in the automotive, transportation and other heavy industries.
"When designing the IRB 8700, we focused on combining ABB's largest model with an unusually long reach for a robot in the high payload class," said John Bubnikovich, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, ABB Robotics North America. "Utilizing ABB's motion control technology at high moments of inertia, the 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 enhanced agility and performance."
The IRB 8700 offers all the functionality of the ABB portfolio in a larger 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," said the spokesperson. In addition, there are no gas springs; only a counterweight and mechanical springs for counter balancing. Together these design elements mean the IRB 8700 has fewer components and is built to deliver shorter cycle times and higher accuracy.
The IRB 8700 is available in two configurations, one with a reach of 4.2 m and a payload of 550 kg (620 kg with the wrist down; 475 kg with LeanID), and the other with a reach of 3.5 m and a payload of 800 kg (1,000 kg with the wrist down; 630 kg with LeanID). Both configurations are available with LeanID, a cost-effective Integrated Dressing (ID) designed for easier programming, reduced wear and a smaller footprint. Both configurations also have a high moment of inertia at 725 kg/m2.
For more information contact:
ABB Robotics, Inc.
1250 Brown Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
248-391-8622
www.abb.com/robotics