The Thomson Movotrak 7th Axis Cobot Transfer Unit (CTU). (Photo: Regal Rexnord/PRNewswire)
MILWAUKEE—Regal Rexnord Corporation reported that it joined forces with automation company ABB Robotics to simplify integration of its GoFa™ collaborative robots (cobots) into 7th Axis Cobot Transfer Units (CTUs) from Regal Rexnord’s linear motion brand, Thomson.
Through the collaboration, the Thomson Movotrak™ CTU becomes the first cobot 7th axis technology to be certified by ABB Robotics for use in its partner ecosystem, according to a release from Regal Rexnord.
“Until now, anyone wanting to use a single, plug-and-play ABB cobot on multiple workstations faced what could be days of programming and communications challenges,” said Kevin Zaba, executive vice president and president of Regal Rexnord’s Automation & Motion Control segment, in a statement. “As part of the ABB Robotics partner ecosystem, we have preconfigured our Movotrak CTU, ensuring rapid deployment with ABB cobots right out of the box. Integrators, distributors, and end-users can now invest more time using the 7th axis to solve productivity problems than dealing with complex integration details.”
The Thomson Movotrak CTU 7th Axis is said to offer several beneficial features, including extended operating range. As the first collaborative 7th Axis, it extends the traditional cobot operating range up to 10 meters. It also offers flexible mounting options, with the ability to move from one workstation to another along a rail that is secured to the floor, wall, or ceiling, the release stated.
The CTU 7th Axis is reported to be the first 7th axis CTU with collision detection, stopping the cobot when it encounters an obstacle. It is also said to be a “single-source, fully integrated solution.”
“Thomson linear units are integrated with other Regal Rexnord components, including Boston Gear gearheads, Huco couplings, and Kollmorgen motors and software for a complete, high-level assembly with one part number,” the release stated.
The ABB Robotics ecosystem
Partners of ABB Robotics develop and provide packages consisting of pre-engineered accessories and software that are compatible and easily integrated with ABB’s complete portfolio of robotics. As fully integrated, ready-to-use systems, the packages are said to enable end users and systems integrators to reduce time and effort in setting up robots for new applications.
Regal Rexnord’s participation in the ABB partner ecosystem involves changes to mounting hardware, development of a specialized plug-and-play wiring harness, and programming to interface with the ABB software platform and engineering environment, including an ABB Web App, Wizard and RAPID™ Module Code programming tools.
Through the integration, certified ABB robotic application developers will be able to access the Thomson configuration tools directly on the ABB FlexPendant user interface.
“This collaboration with ABB Robotics is a great example of how our differentiated Regal Rexnord technologies can be integrated into high-impact, customer-ready solutions,” said Louis Pinkham, CEO of Regal Rexnord, in a statement. “By combining the technical expertise of our Thomson, Kollmorgen, Boston Gear, and Huco brands into a seamless, 7th axis system available for the ABB Robotics partner ecosystem, we’re making it easier for customers to unlock greater productivity and flexibility in their automation strategies. It also reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and delivering value through system-level thinking.”