The IRB 2600 can be wall-mounted, a new option for midrange robots, which makes efficient use of available space, and makes it easier to integrate it into existing production lines.

ABB Robotics is introducing the new model for its series of medium-capacity robots for welding and other processes. The IRB 2600 has a compact design and a wide working range, with a payload capacity up to 20 kg. 

In addition, ABB details that the IRB 2600 provides the best accuracy and speed among its class of multipurpose robots, which will improve productivity for fabricators and manufacturers by increasing output, accelerating cycle times, and reducing scrap rates.

ABB Robotics supplies industrial robots for welding and other processes, as well as the software that guides and controls them; peripheral equipment; modular manufacturing cells; and service for robots and installations. It is a global business unit of ABB, a developer and supplier of power and automation technologies for utility and industry customers.

A series of details make the IRB 2600 particularly well suited for arc-welding operations, according to ABB, including “superior path accuracy and positional precision,” flexible mounting options, and a larger work envelope.

Flexible mounting (floor-, wall-, invert-, or shelf-mounted) makes the IRB 2600 amenable to optimized cell designs, so it’s an option for operations seeking to minimize floor space requirements and gives it good access to the equipment it serves. A new option for robots of this size is wall mounting, which opens possibilities for innovative cell designs, makes efficient use of available space, and makes it easier to integrate the robot into existing production lines.

ABB also emphasizes that the IRB 2600’s lightweight design (its arm weight is less than 300 kg) and compact structure (it occupies less floor space than any other robot in its class) improves the robot’s working range and makes it easier for the arm to reach below its own base. This makes it possible to build smaller production cells, which promotes efficient use of manufacturing space.

ABB Robotics’ IRB 2600 is well suited for arc-welding operations because of its path accuracy, positional precision, flexible mounting options, and large work envelope.

In operation, the IRB 2600 is quick enough that ABB can boast production-cycle time improvements of up to 25%. “The high joint speeds and quick acceleration are achieved by combining new lightweight mechanical linkages and ABB’s patented second-generation QuickMove^™ motion control technology,” the manufacturer reports.

The IRB 2600’s “positional precision” and “path accuracy” are critical features for welding operations, making it possible to weld a wider variety of parts and produce higher-quality welds.

The robot’s increased payload/arm load allows it to accommodate heavier arc welding equipment, including equipment for hybrid and twin arc processes.

There are three versions of the IRB 2600 are offered — two short arm variants (1.65m) for 12 or 20 kg payloads, and a long arm variant (1.85m) with a 12 kg payload — and each one is shielded for operating in harsh environments. The IRB 2600 has a standard Ingress Protection (IP) 67 rating for the entire robot.  It is offered with ABB's IRC5 Robot Controller.

The IRB 2600 is the second new design introduced by ABB in the fourth-generation of its industrial robots. Last year ABB introduced the IRB 4600 family of robots payloads from 20 to 60 kg.

 “The IRB 2600 is ABB’s second step in responding to the widespread demand from our customers and system integrator partners for lighter, faster and more accurate robots,” explained ABB Robot Products Group vice president Joe Campbell.  “The best-in-class agility and performance of the 2600 and the 4600 will be the trademark of additional fourth-generation midrange introductions to come.”