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PLC, robot controller combined in integrated unit

ABB has introduced an integrated unit that combines the AC500 PLC with the IRC5 robot controller for robot cell applications.

With up to three local I/O boards and bus communications for remote I/Os, the integrated controller provides users with a single point of control for peripheral production equipment such as grippers, feeders, and ancillary machines. All of the main communications standards, including DeviceNet, PROFIBUS DP, CANopen, and Modbus TCP, are supported, as well as wireless communications.

To help simplify programming and operation, a software framework is included, removing the need to set up a communication infrastructure between the robot controller and PLC. The framework includes interactive displays on the FlexPendant, the robot controller interface device.