ABB inaugurated its training center for robotics, established through public-private partnership with the Polytechnic University in Bucharest, within the Faculty of Engineering and Management of Technological Systems, Machine and Manufacturing Systems Department (MSP). The fully equipped training center will serve ABB’s customers, partner companies and the University students.
ABB’s new training center will enable future engineers to benefit from advanced training in robotics and industrial automation. ABB has prepared specific training modules in collaboration with the University, which are already being integrated into the students’ curricula. The training modules consist of a comprehensive study of ABB robots and of their specific systems and applications (mechanical, electrical, programming and control).
“We consider this initiative as a big step and a tremendous support for both the University students and for ABB’s customers who will benefit from training in this brand new Center. Not only will they have the opportunity to see the direct applicability of ABB robotic solutions, but they will also stay connected to the latest ABB developments in the field in a direct and practical way,” said Tomasz Wolanowski, Country Managing Director for ABB in Romania.
“Establishing ABB’s National Center for Direct and Assisted Training for Robotics within the Politechnic University in Bucharest, IMST Faculty, MSP Depatment represents for the Robotics Specialty the main support pillar in partnerships with industry-specific developers, integrators and users of robotic manufacturing solutions. Thanks to ABB Romania’s investment in the new Centre, our students and ABB’s partners have now a laboratory with up-to-date solutions operating at a real industrial scale,” said Professor Adrian Nicolescu, Vice – Dean at the Polytechnic University, Faculty of Engineering and Management of Technological Systems.
The ABB training center is equipped with robots and a complete range of complementary industrial equipment directly related to robots such as: Vision 3D camera, conveyor tracking devices with special encoder control, inductive sensors, mechanical contacts, pneumatic components, cylinders, grippers mounted on the robot flanges, perimeter protection, a large screen for specialized projections, mounting tables, accessories and real parts, all ready to develop real applications on an industrial scale. All movements and robot interactions are monitored and the components communicate with one another through industrial protocols such as Profibus, Profinet and through a high performance PLC, interface modules Input /Output units and the HMI touch screen.
The ABB equipment integrated in the training center comprises two “single arm” robots – an IRB 120 and an IRB 140 and the collaborative robot, YuMi, together with the IRC5 generation of controllers, both normal and compact versions. Moreover, the most recent Robot Studio software is available, allowing students to study both on-line and off-line.
The ABB training center also makes available the ABB Automation Builder software package, thus making possible for future specialists to combine their theoretical and practical knowledge and to configure, program and resolve various situations involving the PLC AC500 in a perfectly safe mode. The entire system is protected by Jakob Safety components.
The conveyors are controlled and driven using three-phase ABB motors and an ACS 380 drive, which are easy to parameter and monitor. Usually these components are integrated into transport equipment, mixers, extruders, cranes, printing machines, elevators etc.
ABB Romania will use the training center for future projects and to practice new applications, as well as for various demonstrations dedicated to company customers. In all these projects the Machine and Manufacturing Systems Department of the Faculty of Engineering and Management of Technological Systems will be ABB’s partner to develop new themes, projects and solutions.
ABB has an installed base of more than 300,000 robots worldwide and of over 900 industrial robots in Romania alone. ABB is a market leader in Romania in the Robotics domain, the main applications served including welding, painting, packaging, palletizing and handling. ABB also offers preventive maintenance to the solutions implemented in Romania. With YuMi, ABB is once again pushing the boundaries of robotic automation by fundamentally expanding the types of industrial processes which can be automated with robots.