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Cobots Offer Heavier Payloads, Longer Reach



ABB has launched two new variants of its GoFa collaborative robot (cobot). The GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 open new possibilities for companies to leverage cobot automation for enhanced efficiency. Handling payloads of up to 10 and 12 kg with high repeatability, the cobots accomplish an expanded range of tasks in close collaboration with factory workers, addressing skills and labor shortages while improving safety and productivity. Offering straightforward programming and rapid integration into production environments, the new variants lower barriers to entry for first-time users, educators and SMEs, the company reported.

"In addition to their enhanced payloads, the GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 cobots offer tool center point (TCP) speeds of up to 2 m per second with 0.02-mm repeatability-a two-fold improvement over comparable solutions," said a company spokesperson. "IP67-certified against moisture and dust ingress, they extend the benefits of fast and accurate cobotics to new industrial applications, automating demanding tasks such as machine tending, welding, parts handling, polishing and assembly. The GoFa 10's 1.62-m reach-14% more than others in its class and enough to cover U.S. pallets-makes it ideal for palletizing applications."

The GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 cobots are straightforward to program, deploy and use, lowering barriers to automation for first-time users and SMEs. Set-up is made easy with lead-through programming and ABB's Wizard programming software, allowing even nonspecialists to quickly automate their applications by manipulating simple graphical command blocks rather than writing complex programming code.

Pre-installed on the cobots' ABB's FlexPendant robot controller, the ABB SafeMove robot safety monitoring app's safety features, including safe speed limits, standstill monitoring and orientation supervision, enable close collaboration between robots and factory workers without requiring bulky protective barriers or fencing.

The GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 cobots are powered by ABB's OmniCore controller. The combination of OmniCore's enhanced motion control provided by ABB's TrueMove and QuickMove motion control technologies and GoFa's intelligent torque and position sensors provides the smooth movements needed for high precision surface finishing, fastening, assembly and testing tasks. Energy saving features including power re-generation and brake energy recovery reduce power requirements by up to 20%, enhancing sustainability.

Responding to the growing diversification of automation applications, ABB recently launched its ABB Robotics Ecosystem program. Bringing together third-party accessories such as grippers, cameras and customized software that are compatible with the ABB portfolio, including the new GoFa cobots, the program lets users easily leverage innovation from across the ABB Robotics ecosystem.

For more information contact:

ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation

1250 Brown Road

Auburn Hills, MI 48326

248-391-9000

www.abb.com/robotics

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