Design & Automation - News & Products September 2025

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RESPECTIVE COMPANIES

Universal Robots (UR) introduced UR Studio, an online simulation tool built on PolyScope X, the company’s open, artificial intelligence (AI)-ready software platform. UR Studio enables customers, partners, and integrators to build 1:1 online simulations of their work cells and simulate every key aspect of their setup. The tool allows users to test robot movements; simulate reach, speed, and workflow; and calculate cycle time, simplifying the configuration of an optimized cell.

With UR Studio, users can interact with UR’s robot portfolio and various components – such as pallets, machines, and workpieces – and end effectors, including standard grippers often used with UR cobots. Items can be configured to the user’s preferences with the option of importing elements to mimic the workspace. This ensures the final solution fits within the real-world environment. UR Studio also allows for potential issues to be identified early, reducing downtime and avoiding the risk of costly adjustments.

UR Studio is provided without charge and runs directly on desktop browsers requiring no installation – users simply log into the UR Studio website. It features an intuitive interface with pre-made templates for the most common applications such as machine tending, screwdriving, palletizing, and pick-and-place. New application templates will be added continuously.

Universal Robots
https://www.universal-robots.com

ABB Robotics launched the IRB 6730S, IRB 6750S, and IRB 6760 industrial robots. The IRB 6730S and IRB 6750S are shelf-mounted robots designed to support an increase in robot density in the production line. Capable of handling payloads up to 350kg, the shelf robots can be installed at a height (or on a second floor) and can work with floor-mounted robots to maximize productivity. They also provide full vertical and horizontal motion to increase downward reach, making them well-suited to optimize the space for die casting, injection molding, and spot welding.

The IRB 6760 press tending robot is designed for mid-sized press lines. When combined with ABB’s carbon-fiber tooling boom, it can boost production output up to 15 strokes per minute or 900 parts per hour.

All three robots are powered by OmniCore, ABB’s advanced controllers for automation, delivering a 20% reduction in energy consumption compared to predecessors along with high performance. The IRB 6750S in conjunction with an OmniCore controller can deliver path accuracy down to 0.9mm. The robots are designed to work together to optimize plant performance, and the modular design of the lineup can help reduce total cost of ownership through shared spare parts and service tools.

ABB
https://global.abb