ABB open week to highlight latest possibilities of robotic automation in manufacturing

Taking place at ABB’s Milton Keynes site, the event is free to attend and the Thursday 14th May is open to manufacturers, system builders and integrators as well as colleges and universities interested in the benefits of using robots in manufacturing processes.

The week will be packed with a variety of activities, such as hands-on workshops, innovation seminars and demonstrations of the latest advances in robotic technology from ABB’s portfolio delivering modular products, function packages and standardised cells for various metal fabrication applications.

A key attraction will be ABB’s new FlexArc suite. Featuring an ABB robot together with the same controller and software technology that would be found in a real-life application, the suite enables ABB’s customers to trial solutions and to gain hands-on training experience of using a robot to carry out different welding techniques and configurations.

Recognising that skills and support rank high amongst many companies’ concerns about using a robot, the week will include an extensive focus on ABB’s customer service and support capabilities. Visitors will be able to find out more about services such as 24/7 support, ABB’s extensive service engineer coverage in the UK & Ireland, 24 hour turnaround on spare parts and the 152 check on robot refurbishment services. Also visible will be the remote service offering, whereby customers can have their robots remotely monitored by ABB, with an engineer being dispatched at the first sign of any problems. ABB specialists will be on hand too, to answer any questions about any aspect of robotic automation.

Another attraction will be the chance to get first-hand experience of programming a real live robot in ABB’s training centre. Delegates will have the chance to try out both ABB’s FlexPendant handheld controller, and its RobotStudio offline programming software, which can be used to set up and trial everything from a standalone robot through to a complete cell in a virtual environment.

With ABB keen to encourage the next generation of engineers, the week will also feature a special day dedicated to education. Aimed at educational establishments, students, graduates and apprentices, the day will include a focus on both current and future robot technologies and will explain how the abilities of both people and robots can be best be combined to open up new possibilities in manufacturing.

To book your place, register at www.tinyurl.com/ABBOpenWeek.