It’ll be interesting to see what the next move by a large robotics company will look like. As AM grows, this number will surely increase, further motivating companies like ABB to accommodate their new customer base. In other words, many makers of industrial robotic arms have begun to catch on to the growing adoption of their products for 3D printing. Therefore, as AM becomes more widely adopted in a factory setting, robotics companies have a greater incentive to find ways to work with AM technology. The drive for the use of these machines is not just the fact that many of them can be used to fabricate large-scale structures, but also that they would be more easily integrated into an already existing manufacturing environment, where industrial robots are already the norm. Comau and KUKA are comparable to ABB in terms of the way that their robots have been used for AM, while Universal Robots sells less expensive, less industrial machines that have been used by the likes of Voodoo Manufacturing. Of these, FANUC is the only one to sell a system specifically for 3D printing, a collaborative wire arc welding robot. Other companies who have seen their robotics featured in AM processes include Yaskawa, Comau, KUKA, Universal Robots, FANUC and Schunk. Despite its size and legacy, it is not the only manufacturer competing in the 3D printing space.
Note that there is a 30-days trial version of the software, but that you will need a license in the long run (RobotStudio is a very powerful tool with many options.
The company suggests that this process is faster than plotting a toolpath for a traditional printing system.Įstablished over 130 years ago, ABB has roughly 147,000 employees spanning more than 100 countries. The following steps will guide you for setting up the environment on the WINDOWSPC: Install ABB RobotStudio from the ABB website.
This includes such 3D printing processes as welding, concrete or printing with polymer granules.ĪBB highlights the fact that any 3D printing slicer software can be converted into ABB’s simulation environment and robot code. According to the company, the software’s new 3D printing feature will allow users to program ABB robots for AM in just 30 minutes.
Part of the PowerPac portfolio, RobotStudio removes the need for manual programming for 3D printing. You’ll also come across countless researchers taking advantage of these robots for new 3D printing applications.Ĭlearly catching on to the growing adoption of its tools in the additive manufacturing space, ABB is hoping to make it easier for users to do so. Viridis3D also uses a standard ABB robot to perform a unique take on 3D printing sand for metal casting. One of the most notable may be MX3D, which outfitted its industrial robotic arm with a wire arc welding system to 3D print large-scale metal objects, including a bridge in Amsterdam. Numerous customers have already begun using ABB robots for 3D printing purposes. Swiss tech giant ABB has caught on and has added 3D printing capabilities to the latest edition of its RobotStudio simulation and offline programming software. Their great dexterity and flexibility have made them increasingly powerful platforms for a variety of 3D printing processes. A loaner laptop may be provided upon request a minimum of 1 week prior to the training.Industrial robotic arms are no strangers to 3D printing. Students should provide their own computer for the training. Students wanting to take this class should have some basic computer skills, CAD experience is especially helpful, and knowledge of the ABB platform.
If time permits, the training will also cover basic programming within the student’s unique virtual station. The course exercises are designed to develop students skills learned during lecture. The course consists of several “Course Exercises” that students will complete using the information learned during class. This course is for programmers with little or no RobotStudio experience to offline programming on the ABB platform.