Northeast Manufacturing News • Sept 19 • Universal Robots Launches Authorized Training Centers

Universal Robots (UR) announced that its first four Authorized Training Centers (ATC) in the U.S. have been authorized and are now offered by the following UR sales partners: Advanced Control Solutions (ACS) (Marietta, GA); HTE Automation Technologies (St. Louis, MO; Lenexa, KS); Ralph W. Earl Company (Syracuse, NY); and Applied Controls (Malvern, PA).

UR Certified Trainers will conduct training modules that cover a range of core and advanced collaborative robot (cobot) programming skills. ATC program modules include:

• Core: For any user of a UR cobot who has completed the online modules. Covers safety set-up, basic applications and flexible redeployment.

• Advanced: For cobot users, technical sales people and integrators with a practical need to optimize applications or find new ways of deploying UR cobots. Covers scripting, advanced uses of force control and TCP, conveyor tracking and performance review.

• Industrial Communication: For users and developers who need to integrate cobots with third-party devices. Covers modbus TCP, FTP server, dashboard server, socket communication, Ethernet/ IP and Profinet.

• Interfaces: For users and developers who need in-depth knowledge on how to interface with UR cobots using script interfaces. Covers UR scripting, socket communication, client interfaces (port 30001-30003), real-time data exchange and XML/RPC.

• Service & Troubleshooting: For users, technicians and engineers wanting/ needing a better understanding of the mechanical hardware used by UR cobots, how to diagnose issues and resolve them. Covers the configuration of the cobot arm, controller and safety system as well as preventative maintenance, system troubleshooting and replacement of parts.

Cale Harbour, Vice President of Product Marketing at ACS, said, “As our customers build their knowledge, they can deploy the technology faster and see the benefits to their production— and their bottom line—quicker. It is a win-win for everybody involved.”

Marv Dixon, VP of Business Development and Sales, HTE Technologies, said, “We have expanded our role as supplier to assist with the application process as well. The Training Center has also provided us with the perfect scenario in which we can introduce other products that our customers might not have otherwise considered, such as grippers and conveyors. With the ATC distinction, we have become a resource that our customers can count on for up-to-date, accessible training and support.”

“Customers want to understand and take full advantage of the robots’ capabilities themselves, and that is exactly what this training empowers them to do,” said Bill Gerbig, President, Ralph W. Earl Company. “Now, they can get up and running faster, make adjustments if necessary, and redeployment is a breeze.”

In addition to the ATCs hosted by UR partners, four training centers are also opening at UR’s offices in Ann Arbor, MI; Irving, TX; Garden City, NY; and Irvine, CA.

For class schedules and more information, visit universal-robots.com/ academy. Click “Start Training Now” and then “In-Class Training.”