When Ford Motor Company and ABB Robotics looked to create a new live robotic display to communicate the fuel efficiency message of Ford's new EcoBoost Powertrain Technology, they turned to ATI Industrial Automation for their Tool Changing needs. Debuting at the 2010 NAIAS Detroit Auto Show and on display at the upcoming New York Auto Show, April 2 - 11, 2010, the new display uses ATI QC-110 and QC-210 model Robotic Tool Changers and two ABB robots, named "Eco" and "Boost," which are housed in circular, plexiglass-rimmed cells. Mounted on the wrist of the robots, ATI Tool Changers enable the robots to automatically pick up different engine samples and components, presenting them to the crowd in a radial path around each cell. Ford uses the same ATI Tool Changers in their manufacturing plants to make their stamping, body assembly and powertrain production lines more flexible. ATI Tool Changers allow robots to perform multiple functions and change tooling for different styles of vehicles through the same assembly line.

"Eco" presents a series of engine components, including turbo chargers, fuel pumps, intake and exhaust manifolds and an engine control module. "Boost" presents three different versions of the EcoBoost engine and the new 6F MID 6 speed transmission. The EcoBoost engine will deliver up to a 20% improvement in fuel economy on up to 1.3 million Ford vehicles globally by 2013 with no sacrifice in power. "The story is really about our leadership in fuel economy, and what a great way to tell that story by bringing the technology that builds the powertrain to life on the stand," said John Felice, Ford Marketing General Manager. "It helps substantiate our progress in fuel economy."

More information on Ford's EcoBoost Powertrain Technology here.

More information on our Robotic Tool Changers here.

View a video of the EcoBoost Ford display here.