January 26, 2012 — ABB Robotics introduced an ISO 5 (Class 100) Cleanroom version of the IRB 120, its smallest multipurpose 6-axis robot. Any source materials in the IRB 120 prone to particle generation were modified to eliminate contamination potential in the manufacturing area.

The Cleanroom IRB 120 features a special 4-layer paint with varnish clear coat for easy, cloth cleaning; unpainted mounting holes; unpainted stainless steel mechanical stops; and special glue-seals to avoid particle generation. It uses internal cabling. In certain conditions it can meet more stringent, ISO 4 (Class 10) requirements. 

The new model has all the functionality of the standard IRB 120, with motion control and path accuracy in a smaller footprint and profile, weighing 55 lbs. The IRB 120 has a standard payload of 6.6 lbs, a vertical wrist payload of 8.8 lbs, a reach of 580mm, a stroke of 411mm, and the ability to reach 112mm below its base.  The 6-axis robot has a repeatability of pose (RP) of 0.01mm. It can be mounted at any angle.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, independent manufacturing research and analysis provider, tested and certified the new model as Cleanroom ISO 5 (Class 100). Cleanroom robots of this rating are suited for material handling and assembly applications in electronics, semiconductor, and solar panel manufacturing, among others.

The Cleanroom IRB 120 is available with the compact version of the IRC5 controller, making it easy to program and control for a variety of tasks. The Compact IRC5 is fully compatible with the standard and panel mount IRC5 controllers, with user friendly FlexPendant programming, RobotStudio offline programming, flexible RAPID language and powerful communication capabilities.

ABB makes power and automation technologies. ABB Robotics supplies industrial robots, robot software, peripheral equipment, modular manufacturing cells and service. Internet: www.abb.com/robotics.