Companies integrating collaborative robots into dynamic manufacturing environments often face challenges in achieving flexible automation with minimal downtime. The cooperation between Regal Rexnord Corporation and ABB Robotics signals an effort to offer seamless integrations, ensuring that industrial cobots operate over extended workspaces without significant engineering hurdles. As industries see a heightened demand for adaptable production lines and plug-and-play solutions, partnerships like this reflect ongoing trends in simplifying robotic deployments and maximizing utility for users across sectors.
ABB Robotics and Regal Rexnord Corporation have announced a partnership focused on enabling ABB’s GoFa collaborative robots to seamlessly operate on Thomson’s Movotrak Cobot Transfer Units (CTUs). While earlier reports on the integration of seventh-axis solutions mainly referenced longer lead times and custom programming, this development is designed to lower these barriers by offering preconfigured, ready-to-deploy products compatible with ABB’s ecosystem. Unlike previous systems that often required multiple suppliers and complex integration protocols, the Movotrak CTU now arrives certified, assembling motion, power, and software modules under a single Regal Rexnord umbrella – a notable difference from market predecessors.
How Does the Collaboration Streamline Cobot Integration?
The alliance brings together Regal Rexnord’s linear motion expertise with ABB Robotics’ growing family of GoFa cobots, resulting in what is described as a rapid deployment solution for the seventh axis. Technology enhancements include custom mounting options, specialized plug-and-play wiring harnesses, and direct software connectivity. According to Regal Rexnord, this partnership allows integrators to spend less time overcoming technical complexities and more time optimizing productivity.
“Integrators, distributors, and end-users can now invest more time using the 7th axis to solve productivity problems than dealing with complex integration details,”
stated Kevin Zaba, Executive Vice President at Regal Rexnord.
What Features Set the Movotrak CTU Apart?
Movotrak CTU, now officially certified for ABB GoFa cobots, extends robotic operating ranges up to 10 meters and offers mounting versatility across floors, walls, or ceilings. The addition of collision detection and a simplified Freedrive mode is intended to minimize programming and installation downtime compared to manual multi-axis setups. The bundled approach combines products like Boston Gear gearheads, Huco couplings, and Kollmorgen motors, resulting in a single-source system ordered under one part number. Regal Rexnord emphasizes the integration as a demonstration of system-level thinking and customer-centric automation initiatives.
“By combining the technical expertise of our Thomson, Kollmorgen, Boston Gear, and Huco brands into a seamless, 7th axis system available for the ABB Robotics partner ecosystem, we’re making it easier for customers to unlock greater productivity and flexibility in their automation strategies,”
said Louis Pinkham, CEO of Regal Rexnord.
Will This Influence Automation Industry Standards?
This partnership is likely to influence broader industry practices regarding robotic mobility and station-to-station task efficiency. With certified integration and ready-made software modules, ABB application developers can now utilize Thomson’s configuration tools natively within the ABB FlexPendant user interface, which could lead to further standardization for cobot mobility systems. The rapid and reliable connection between robotics and linear motion platforms may encourage other automation brands to pursue similar pre-certification strategies, promoting easier installations for end users and expanding the market for mobile cobot solutions.
The integrated system arrives at a pivotal time for both companies, as ABB Robotics is navigating organizational shifts and Regal Rexnord continues to broaden its automation portfolio following Thomson’s 2023 merger. Experts observe that a certified, unified seventh-axis solution has the potential to address longstanding industry obstacles related to robotic utilization and workflow flexibility. Stakeholders are expected to watch how end-users benefit from decreased integration complexity and faster deployment timelines, which could ultimately drive the wider adoption of multi-station collaborative robotics. Understanding these technology trends can help companies identify when full-system integration improves productivity versus when more traditional solutions may suffice.
- Regal Rexnord and ABB Robotics launch a certified seventh-axis solution for GoFa cobots.
- Thomson’s Movotrak CTU enables cobots to cover greater distances with simpler setup.
- The partnership aims to lessen deployment complexity for multi-station automation tasks.
