Robots: Swappage scheme

Subject to the payload of the robot, the scheme enables operators to get up to £4000 off the purchase cost of a new ABB robot when they trade in an existing robot from any manufacturer installed 12 or more years ago.

The scheme, which is open until 30th April 2014, is open to end users only across any industry where a robot is currently being used to handle a particular task. Different discounts according to the payload of the robot being replaced. Robots with up to and including a 20kg payload will receive a discount of £2000 off the list-price for each individual robot being scrapped and replaced, whilst robots with a payload greater than 20kg will receive a £4000 discount.

"A large number of robots in use in the UK are now at the point where they are becoming increasingly more difficult and costly to maintain," says Dean Phipps, ABB Robotics' Service Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland. "Difficulties in obtaining spares for obsolete models, the absence of any warranties and finding technicians qualified to work on older models are just some of the problems that can add to the heartache, expense and inconvenience of using older robots when issues inevitably occur. In such cases, replacing the robot with a new model can present the most sensible option".