Cobots are ‘ten times more accurate’ than any rivals
25 September 2024 
ABB Robotics has developed a technology that, it says, gives its GoFa collaborative robots (cobots) more than 10 times better path accuracy than any other cobot on the market. The Ultra Accuracy function delivers a claimed path accuracy of 0.03mm, supporting accurate production in tasks such as gluing and sealing, laser welding, layering of composite materials, and precision laser-cutting. It can also be used for accurate positioning of additive layers in 3D-printed prototypes, and to perform precision quality checking.
Ultra Accuracy has been developed to meet the demands of applications where precise positioning is crucial for maintaining product quality and operational efficiency. It can achieve absolute position accuracies of 0.1mm, providing the reliability needed for maintaining tight tolerances.
Cobots with the function combine precision with speed and a full range of motion. Unlike conventional 2D gantry systems used in electronics manufacturing, the cobots offer full 6D motion across their entire workspace, without needing additional calibration work, providing the flexibility and mobility to handle a broad range of tasks.
“As industries look to automation to enhance product quality and achieve tighter tolerances – continuously decreasing the maximum allowable deviation from the standard in quality control – there is a growing need for robots that can perform tasks with exceptional precision,” explains ABB Robotics’ global head of collaborative robots, Andrea Cassoni. “By combining ultra-accurate path performance with GoFa’s inherent simplicity, safety, and flexibility, ABB’s new Ultra Accuracy feature opens a wide range of possibilities for the use of cobots in businesses including electronics, automotive, aerospace, and metal fabrication.”
The compact, portable cobots can be integrated easily into production lines without the need for expensive customisation, offering an advantage over gantry-based systems. GoFa cobots with the Ultra Accuracy function can be added to production lines with minimal installation and deployment time, because the calibration is done in the factory before delivery.
Combining the new function with ABB’s RobotStudio software allows applications to be programmed offline, with a claimed 99% match between simulation and reality, eliminating the need for touch-ups and guaranteeing precise and efficient implementation, according to ABB.
The Ultra Accuracy function is now available for new GoFa cobots, and as a retrofit for existing GoFas.
