At the ABB customer's plant in Berlin, 20 ABB IRB 5400 robots paint car body parts. The manufacturer put the first ABB robots into operation in 2003. Between 2014 and 2016, they were replaced as refurbished robots.
Replacement of the old robots required
After many years of continuous use, the time had come when robots needed to be replaced to ensure continued smooth 24/7 continuous operation. As the principle of sustainability plays a central role at the motorcycle manufacturer's plant and throughout the company, the robots also needed to be replaced in line with this principle. It was therefore carried out in a kind of ring exchange. Robots reconditioned by ABB were set up, configured and programmed using RobotStudio. They were given the latest RobotWare 6 software version and new control technology. This preparation reduced downtime by around 40 percent compared to installing a new system. Production downtime was limited to three weeks.
Continuing the sustainable approach
The motorcycle manufacturer is now continuing its sustainable approach to the circular economy together with ABB and is replacing the IRB 5400 painting robot in a ring exchange process. When the painting line is closed in a few years, the robots can still be used as replacement units for another painting line.