ABB Robotics has introduced a new range of palletizing products at Interpack 2011. The range consisted of two new robots for palletizing and three palletizing grippers.
Palletizing Power Pac
The significant part of the Palletizing Power Pac is the programming software, called RobotStudio, which integrates the advantages of a graphic system simulation tool with the programming software of the application. Rick Tallian, the consumer industry manager at ABB robotics, explained that the Palletizing Power Pac is the most important part of the palletizer, which integrates PickMaster 5 Technology and the RobotStudio simulation environment. He claimed that the programming software can be directly transferred to a robotic system on the plant floor.
The software programming facilitates the configuration and simulation of the grippers and the robots through a common step, without the need for additional programming. Through this software the users can first do a test trial of the palletizing system before they use it on their equipment. The RobotStudio empowers the designer to trace the site of the multiple product infeed conveyors, pallet build positions, robot safety enclosures and other physical hurdles with utmost precision. After the layout of the system is determined, the suitable robot can be selected for the application. The FlexGrippers are also included in the PowerPac module; they enhance the accuracy of the performance of the robotic system. After setting up the entire system, the product configurations and pallet patterns are keyed into the PowerPac for validation.
ABB showcased the performance of PowerPac through the “Five Minute Challenge”, where the participants at the Interpack were able to experience the strength of the PowerPac.