The company has introduced an ISO 5 (Class 100) Cleanroom version of the IRB 120, its smallest multipurpose six-axis robot. The component materials, prone to particle generation, have been modified to eliminate the potential for contamination of the manufacturing area and the parts being processed. The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA tested and certified the new model as Cleanroom ISO 5 (Class 100). Cleanroom robots of this rating are suited for material handling and assembly applications in a range of industries requiring low levels of environmental pollutants, including medical device, pharmaceutical, electronics, semiconductor and solar panel manufacturing. The robot features: a special four-layer paint with varnish clear-coat for easy cloth cleaning; unpainted mounting holes; unpainted stainless steel mechanical stops; and special glue-seals to avoid particle generation. In certain conditions it can meet more stringent, ISO 4 (Class 10) requirements. The new model has all the functionality of the standard IRB 120, with superior motion control and outstanding path accuracy, providing agility, precision and speed to applications where a smaller footprint and profile are required. Weighing just 25kg (55 lbs.), this new model has a standard payload of 3kg (6.6 lbs.), a vertical wrist payload of 4kg (8.8 lbs.), a reach of 580mm, a best-in-class stroke of 411mm and the ability to reach 112mm below its base. It is available with the compact version of the IRC5 controller, making it easy to program and control for a variety of tasks.
ABB Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland. www.abb.com or call +41 (0)43 317 7111