ABB robot EMC testing success: Ensuring EMC compliance for market launch

ABB Robotics faced the challenge of ensuring EMC compliance for their largest robot, equipped with new-generation controllers. Rigorous testing ensured the robot's readiness for market launch.

Challenge

ABB Robotics needed to ensure their largest robot, the IRB 8700, equipped with a new cutting-edge OmniCore controller, met EMC compliance. standards.

Solution

ABB collaborated with FORCE Technology in Denmark and Sweden on comprehensive testing and documentation.

Result

The robot successfully passed all EMC and vibration tests, confirming its reliability and readiness for market launch.

ABB’s largest robot is designed to handle up to 800 kg with 0.6 mm precision

ABB Robotics is a global leader in robotics committed to advancing automation solutions for various industries, including automotive, manufacturing and logistics. Their largest robot, IRB8700, is a significant advancement in industrial automation. To ensure their reliability and safety, rigorous electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests are conducted.

Designed to handle heavy loads with high precision, the robot addresses the growing demand for efficient, reliable and safe robotic solutions in complex manufacturing environments.

"There are many years of development behind this robot. It features state-of-the-art control systems and a robust mechanical design. The robot's ability to perform under stringent conditions sets it apart in the industry," ABB's Senior R&D Engineer Erik Velander explains.

We have a longstanding and fruitful working relationship with FORCE Technology in Sweden, and the expertise and facilities there have been instrumental in validating the performance of many of our robots. Erik Velander / Senior R&D Engineer, ABB

Rigorous and large-scale EMC testing to meet global standards and customer expectations

ABB recently equipped the IRB 8700 with new controllers that can regenerate power to the grid. This update required a whole new round of rigorous EMC testing to prove the robot's safe interoperability with other equipment, meet global standards and attain market access. Given the robot's immense size and weight, ABB brought the robot to Denmark from Sweden:

"We have a longstanding and fruitful working relationship with FORCE Technology in Sweden, and the expertise and facilities there have been instrumental in validating the performance of many of our robots. This time, we needed a bigger facility and found that the Danish chapter had an EMC room that was 18 meters long and 8 meters wide”, Erik Velander, Senior R&D Engineer at ABB, says.

The robot passed all tests as expected, readying it for market launch.