Robots Expand Flexibility, Enter a Hospital, and Take on Surface Conditioning

We have gathered three new developments in robotics by ABB, Epson, and Dynabrade that showcase the wide use of robotics in science, industrial functions, and surface finishing.

ABB and Texas Children’s Hospital use robots to advance neurological research

ABB Robotics and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the US, have created an automated drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) transfer workstation, featuring ABB’s dual-arm YuMi cobot to aid the study of diseases including Alzheimer's, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s.

This is the first automation solution that does not require the flies to be immobilized with anesthetics such as carbon dioxide before transfer, a tedious step in previous automation solutions, which can negatively impact the behavior of the flies and potentially the accuracy of study results.

ABB’s YuMi cobot performs the same movements as human researchers to tap and transfer the flies between vials, allowing scientists to focus on mission-critical tasks such as the discovery of new pathways and testing the efficacy of new drugs in treating neurological disorders. This removes the need to anesthetize the flies before transfer, improving the accuracy of results and speeding up the transfer process.

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“We have seen significant strides in lab automation over the years, yet some crucial tasks are still performed manually which can impact results,” said Jose-Manuel Collados, manager of ABB Service Robotics Product Line. “Our YuMi cobot’s arms work independently but in a coordinated way, making it possible to automate the complex task of transferring live flies between vials.”  

Epson elevates automation with expanded 6-axis robot lineup

Epson Robots has expanded its 6-Axis robot lineup with the new C-B Series powered by the RC700E controller with integrated SafeSense technology. Designed for precision and efficiency, the robots in this series cater to a wide range of automation needs.

The C-B Series offers next-level performance and flexibility in a compact footprint. It features advanced GYROPLUS vibration reduction technology for fast production speeds and smooth motion control. The C-B Series offers multiple arm configurations with a reach of up to 1,400 mm, handling demanding tasks with ultra-high precision. Its SlimLine design integrates seamlessly into Standard and Cleanroom/ESD environments, supporting payloads of up to 12 kg while maintaining a small form factor.

Related:Kawasaki Robotics Introduces New Collaborative Robots

“To meet the most demanding needs of high-tech automation users, we have expanded the innovative features from the top-of-the-line GX-Series SCARA robots to the top-of-the-line C Series 6-Axis robots,” said Scott Marsic, group product manager, Epson Robots. “The new C-B Series addresses a wide range of automation and workplace safety needs while underscoring Epson’s commitment to advance industrial automation with cutting-edge solutions that optimize performance and reliability across diverse manufacturing environments.”

The RC700E controller, featuring SafeSense technology, allows for safe human-robot interaction without a safety fence through safety-rated speed and position monitoring combined with a proper risk analysis. This advanced functional safety technology enhances productivity by enabling faster machine interactions for daily operations, potentially reducing the need for physical safety barriers and thus lowering the overall footprint and cost of the automation system. Combined with no-code Epson RC+ Express software, users can easily create industrial collaborative solutions with exceptional speed and repeatability.

Dynabrade launches Autobrade for the robotic integration of surface conditioning solutions

Dynabrade, a company that provides pneumatic hand tools and surface treatment solutions, has announced the launch of Autobrade, a new subsidiary dedicated to robotic integration of automated surface conditioning solutions and process improvements. Autobrade builds on Dynabrade's 50 years of expertise in material removal and surface treatment applications.

Autobrade's Key Offerings: