ABB Helps U.S. Economy by Building Robots

In May 2015, Zurich-based ABB Robotics opened a brand new robotics factory in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The factory's opening was a prestigious affair, with U.S. government officials and Swiss ambassadors in attendance. Earlier in February 2015, ABB Robotics opened a facility in Houston, Texas. Many manufacturing industry pundits felt encouraged by the Swiss company's entrance into the U.S. market and its corresponding promise to help the American manufacturing industry grow.

ABB Robotics' new plants give U.S.-based manufacturers a head start whenever they order robotics equipment from the company. Formerly, the wait time between ordering and receiving vital equipment from the company's Zurich headquarters totaled approximately 15 weeks. Now, American manufacturers can order robots from the ABB Robotics plant in Houston or Auburn Hills and get them delivered within six weeks.

ABB's domestic presence makes it easier for manufacturers to visit the plant and view robots for themselves. ABB currently makes several types of robots, including the FlexArc Welding Cel, a quick-start, modular welding device designed for use in both smaller and larger welding operations. The FlexArc Welding Cel and related robots, like the FlexMT and Robotic TIP-TIG welding machines, are ideal for farm machinery and auto manufacturers.

ABB Robotics and similar companies may play an even greater role in the U.S. economic recovery going forward. The potential for robots is almost endless. Robots play a big role in the semiconductor industry. In fact, robotics orders for the semiconductor sector rose 30 percent in the first half of 2015. Meanwhile, robot sales in the coating and dispensing sector rose 36 percent, while materials handling ordered 27 percent more robots than usual during quarters one and two.

Robots like the ones made by ABB Robotics could also be used during surgical procedures in the future. A robot "octopus tentacle," for example, designed by Italian researchers made the news in early 2015. The robot, made of two connected modules covered in flexible silicone, is made to handle delicate organs and help surgeons perform complex procedures in hard-to-reach areas of the human body.

At the moment, the mainstay for ABB Robotics sales are orders from the automotive sector. Growth in the life sciences and electronics sectors means that in the future, ABB Robotics' sales may go to an even more diverse consumer base. In mid-2015, the United States stood second only to Japan in its use of robotics, with an estimated 232,000 industrial robots in use in the general manufacturing industry.

ABB Robotics' arrival in the United States provides American manufacturing companies with a high-quality domestic source of robotic technology. Quick ordering times and ready access to the company's robot selection helps U.S. manufacturers grow, adopt new contracts and contribute to the country's economic recovery.

Photo courtesy of Oomlaut at Flickr.com