ABB expands GoFa cobot family

ABB is launching two new variants of its GoFa collaborative robot.

The GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 can handle payloads of up to 10 and 12 kilograms in close collaboration with workers.

In addition to their enhanced payloads, the GoFa 10 and 12 cobots offer tool centre point (TCP) speeds of up to two metres per second, with 0.02-mm of deviation for greater repeatability – a two-fold improvement over comparable solutions. IP67-certified against moisture and dust ingress, they extend the benefits of fast and accurate collaborative robotics to new industrial applications, automating demanding tasks such as machine tending, welding, parts handling, polishing, and assembly. The GoFa 10’s 1.62-metre reach – 14 percent more than others in its class and enough to cover US pallets – makes it suited for palletizing applications.  

Lowering barriers to automation

The GoFa 10 and 12 cobots are straightforward to program, deploy, and use, lowering barriers to automation for first-time users and SMEs. Setup is  with lead-through programming and ABB’s Wizard easy programming software, allowing even non-specialists to quickly automate their applications by manipulating simple graphical command blocks rather than writing complex programming code.  

Pre-installed on the cobots’ ABB’s FlexPendant robot controller, the ABB SafeMove app features safe speed limits, standstill monitoring, and orientation supervision, enabling close collaboration between robots and factory workers without requiring bulky protective barriers or fencing.   

The GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 cobots are powered by ABB’s OmniCore controller. The combination of OmniCore’s motion control provided by ABB’s TrueMove and QuickMove motion control technologies and GoFa’s torque and position sensors ensures the smooth movements needed for high precision surface finishing, fastening, assembly, and testing tasks.

Energy saving features including power re-generation and brake energy recovery reduce power requirements by up to 20 percent, enhancing sustainability. 

Responding to the growing diversification of automation applications, ABB also launched its ABB Robotics Ecosystem program. Bringing together third-party accessories such as grippers, cameras, and customized software that are compatible with the ABB portfolio, including the new GoFa cobots, the program lets users leverage innovation from across the fast-growing ABB Robotics ecosystem.