ABB Ltd. has sold $52 million worth of robots to Changan Ford Automobile Co. The robots will enable a new factory in Harbin, China, to manufacture multiple vehicle models, including Ford’s next Focus.
Changan Ford, which is a joint venture of Ford Motor Co. and Changan Automotive Group, will use ABB’s IRB 6700 and IRB 7600 industrial robots for welding in the “body in white” (BIW) stage of its production line.
The IRB 6700 robot family was launched in 2013. ABB claims that it is more robust and 15 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. Because maintenance has been simplified, the IRB 6700 is the highest-performing robot in the 150 to 300 kg (330.7 to 661.4 lb.) class, according to the company.
Zurich-based ABB’s GateFramer car-frame positioning system will allow the same line to produce up to six vehicle models. This flexibility, which can switch models in 18 seconds, is intended to be more responsive to varying consumer demand.
“Improving industrial productivity is one of the major drivers of ABB’s business growth under the ‘Next Level’ strategy,” said Pekka Tiitinen, president of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. “ABB’s flexible, intelligent manufacturing technologies help customers effectively reduce their investment costs and enhance their productivity and respond to the market needs in a timely fashion.”
Changan Ford, which has used ABB robots since 2007, also expects to save money compared with conventional automotive production. In addition to ABB’s car-body conveying system and laser welding, Changan Ford will use the Roller Hemming robot for putting doors and roofs on vehicles.
BMW, Honda Motor Co., and Volvo AB are among ABB’s other automotive clients, which use its robots for BIW stamping, power trains, and painting.
ABB’s other products include the YuMi, a collaborative, dual-arm robot, and its Decathlon plant-control software recently got a version 3. In addition, U.K.-based IdeaHub is running robotics accelerator challenges on behalf of ABB.
ABB balances automation and power
The company has also been expanding into renewable energy with deals in Denmark, France, the U.K., Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority recently awarded ABB a $20 million contract to increase the capacity of a solar plant.
More on ABB and Industrial Automation
There has been speculation about whether ABB would separate its lucrative automation business from its power unit. On the other hand, ABB is working to integrate its i-Jia home automation system with energy company Royal Philips NV’s Hue lighting system for a Chinese “smart home,” joining its power and automation interests.
The global industrial automation market will grow from $28.9 billion in 2013 to $44.4 billion in 2020, according to Transparency Market Research.
