ABB robot seventh axis (external axis/walking axis) as a key expansion solution for industrial automation, its technical characteristics, application scenarios and value advantages can be summarized as follows:
1. Technical principles and core characteristics
Motion expansion
The seventh axis increases the freedom of linear motion for the robot through the earth orbit, the sky orbit or the linear guide system, so that it can move freely in the range of a few meters to tens of meters, breaking the fixed working space limitations of traditional six-axis robots.
High accuracy and stability
Servo motor drive, heavy roller guide rail and rack and pinion drive, to achieve millimeter-level repeated positioning accuracy (such as ±0.08mm).
Support high acceleration motion to ensure stability over long distances, adaptable to cantilever loads or complex trajectories.
Environmental adaptability
Customized protective cover (metal semi-closed, organ type, fully enclosed) to resist welding slag, chip fluid, high temperature and other harsh conditions.
Sealed bearings and centralized lubrication system extend service life and short maintenance cycle.
Control flexibility
Support manual/automatic dual mode, can operate independently or integrated PLC system to achieve multi-device collaboration.
With emergency stop protection and signal anti-stay function to prevent misoperation.
2. Typical application scenarios
Automobile manufacturing
Stamping automation: In factories such as Volvo, the seventh axis allows the robot to complete the stamping parts without rotation, reducing the beat time and reducing the production line footprint.
Welding and assembly: The robot moves along the ground rail to complete multiple parts of the body welding or interior installation to improve efficiency and consistency.
Logistics warehousing
Cross-warehouse handling: The robot moves quickly between the shelves and the sorting table along the long guide rail to achieve "goods to people" picking or bulk cargo handling.
Three-dimensional storage integration: Cooperate with trusses and stackers to complete multi-station storage and warehousing.
metal working
Plate cutting and handling: Robots carry large metal plates along the guide rail to complete cutting, grinding or loading and unloading, instead of manual handling.
Precision machining: In the aerospace sector, the seventh axis ensures the precise positioning of the robot to the processing point to meet the needs of high-precision parts manufacturing.
3C Electronics and spraying
Flexible assembly: Quickly switch stations in a small space to adapt to the production of multiple types of electronic products.
Spraying and cleaning: Fully closed sky rail supports automatic spraying of large size workpieces such as containers and car bodies to avoid manual contact with harmful substances.
3. Core value advantage
Cost efficiency
Reduce the number of robots: A single robot covers multiple stations through the seventh axis, reducing equipment investment.
Shorten the production line adjustment cycle: The modular design supports rapid deployment and ADAPTS to product reconfiguration requirements.
Space utilization rate
The compact structure ADAPTS to narrow layouts, such as press spacing minimization, saving plant area.
Technical compatibility
It can be seamlessly integrated with ABB, KUKA and other brand robots to support multiple tasks such as handling, welding and palletizing.
Long-term reliability
High-strength guide rails and protective design reduce failure rates and maintenance costs by approximately 30%.
4. Future expansion direction
With the advancement of Industry 4.0, the seventh axis technology is deeply integrated with visual recognition and AI scheduling systems, and is further upgraded in the direction of unmanned and flexible. For example, in 5G factories, seventh axis robots can achieve dynamic scheduling of productive lines through cloud collaboration, becoming the core link of intelligent manufacturing.