Even easier to automate: Universal Robots presents expanded offerings at automatica

The cobot in the glass industry.

The e-series Cobot family.

With the Cobot, there is nothing standing in the way of direct contact with humans.

Universal Robots (UR), the Danish manufacturer of collaborative lightweight robots (Cobots), is expanding its portfolio. At automatica, visitors from June 27 to 30, 2023, will have the opportunity to learn about the expanded service offerings as well as easy-to-implement applications.

The focus of the trade fair appearance (Hall B4/Stand 303) is the new software "Polyscope X," which is being presented in Europe for the first time. It significantly simplifies users' programming and retooling of applications in the field of machine loading and unloading.

Machine loading in minutes

"We are especially pleased to explain to the trade fair audience the technology behind Polyscope X. Equipped with a redesigned user interface and a new toolset, machine loading with the software becomes even more flexible and intuitive. From the very beginning, our goal was to make automation accessible to everyone. Our new software makes a valuable contribution to this," explains Andrea Alboni, General Manager Western Europe at Universal Robots.

Polyscope X allows users to divide their code into individual sections for better structuring. These can then be reused throughout the program. Each section can thus be optimized or adjusted more quickly. Additionally, retooling times are reduced to a few minutes. Polyscope X is therefore ideal for machine tending, especially for varied productions with small batch sizes and for manufacturers seeking greater flexibility and lower complexity. At automatica, the new software will be demonstrated with two demo setups in collaboration with UR integrators. A2 Anlagenoptimierung & Anwendungstechnik GmbH will demonstrate machine loading with its "Palletizing Hero System," while ECOSPHERE Automation GmbH will showcase its "UR+ Solution Ecopresstending" in combination with a HURCO turning machine at the trade fair booth. The software development team will also be on site and happy to answer questions.

New Service: The myUR Online Platform

To make the use of cobots even more convenient in everyday work, Universal Robots relies on comprehensive service. The company is using the trade fair to introduce participants to its various service offerings and to present its online platform "myUR." With this, users can not only manage their robot fleet and get expert assistance but also keep track of their support cases and access exclusive informational materials such as manuals or guides. Additionally, UR Cobot users now have the opportunity to connect and monitor their cobots in real-time from any device with "myUR Monitoring." With this new tool, status and runtime can be tracked, thereby increasing robot efficiency.

Practical applications for easier work

"People should work with robots, not like robots. This year, we are showcasing practical applications at our booth that make work easier for people and whose technical implementation was a challenge until recently. We warmly invite all interested visitors to view and try out the exhibits themselves," says Alboni.

For example, the UR20, which can lift up to 20 kg, demonstrates palletizing heavy packages at the end of the line — equipped with suction cups from piab and the Pally software from Rocketfarm. UR partner Lorch Schweißtechnik GmbH demonstrates in a realistic application how welding tasks can be efficiently, safely, and with optimal results taken over by cobots when skilled workers are lacking. Lastly, a UR10e is shown in the intralogistics application "ER-Flex" by Enabled Robotics, which supports inventory management.

Panel discussion: Robotics and Craftsmanship

In 2023, a high-caliber supporting program awaits visitors of the trade fair again. On Thursday, June 29, from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m., Andrea Alboni will participate as a speaker in the panel discussion on the topic "How can craftsmanship benefit from robotics?" At the automatica Forum in Hall A5, he will discuss with representatives from the fields of craftsmanship and robotics the advantages that automation can bring here.