ABB is adding two new robot families to its portfolio of large robots for complex manufacturing applications. Delivering enhanced speed, accuracy, flexibility, and a more robust design including integrated process cabling, ABB's IRB 5710 and 5720 robots deliver increased productivity and enhanced performance with higher uptime for applications including electric vehicle (EV) manufacture, foundry, forging, rubber, plastics, and metal fabrication. 

Available in eight variants, the IRB 5710 and IRB 5720 present a choice of options for payloads from 70kg to 180kg and reaches from 2.3m to 3m. Together, the two robot families are suitable for a wide range of production tasks including material handling and machine tending and assembly, as well as specific operations in EV manufacturing such as battery module picking and placing, high precision assembly, and parts handling. The benefits offered by the robots also make them ideal for use in plastic molding, metal casting, cleaning, and spraying applications. 

"These new robots accelerate ABB's continuing expansion into the rapidly growing EV market, meeting customer demand for robust units with the speed, path accuracy and dexterity to handle complex EV battery assembly duties," says Joerg Reger, Managing Director of ABB Robotics' automotive business line.

"The switch from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs especially is driving increased demand for fast, adaptable production lines. EV designs can often be highly complex, and components such as batteries and semiconductor modules can be very heavy or extremely fragile. These demands call for solutions that can offer maximum precision and repeatability to avoid errors in production," Reger added.