As easy as ABB

Within just two weeks of being commercialised pre-interpack, ABB has already sold over 50 units at a price of €35,000 each – 25% of the combined IRB 340 and 360 systems sold to date this year. ‘We’re targeting a total of 750 units sold by year-end,’ says Bengtsson. ‘That’ll be a 50% uplift on FY’07, with much of the incremental growth generated by this brand new system.’

ABB’s overall installed base worldwide is in excess of 160,000 different robotic systems, of which only 2000 so far incorporate its Delta technology.

Optimised for a 3kg payload, the IRB 360 will achieve a 60% improvement in case-packing throughput, and equates to one-third of the total cost of a fully integrated system incl. framing; controller and software.

To date, ABB is working closely with around 20 repeat business integrators, but would ideally like to build that core group closer to 50, says Klas Bengtsson. ‘We’re interested in talking with machine builders looking to add flexibility. If you consider that whilst Nestlé is the acknowledged market leader it only has a 4% overall share, then you get a very clear idea of what can be achieved by more co-operation.’