The ABB 3HAC087622-001 FlexPendant is a professional teach pendant designed for ABB IRC5 robot controllers, serving as the primary handheld interface for programming, jogging, monitoring, and troubleshooting industrial robot systems. In real production terms, this device is the bridge between human intent and robotic motion: it lets technicians teach points, refine paths, adjust speeds, and recover safely from process interruptions without turning every small change into a laptop engineering session.
This specific part number is listed as a FlexPendant 10 m version with the emergency stop located at the connector, and ABB also lists a 30 m variant under 3HAC087622-002. The cable ecosystem around this pendant is clearly itemized in ABB spare parts documentation, which is useful for service teams building a clean, low-risk spare strategy.
What makes the FlexPendant platform more than “just an HMI” is that ABB treats it as a rugged, field-ready operator computer. The IRC5 Integrator’s Guide describes the FlexPendant as a handheld operator unit used for tasks such as running programs, jogging the manipulator, and modifying programs. It is designed for continuous operation in harsh industrial environments, with a touchscreen that is easy to clean and resistant to water, oil, and accidental welding splashes. This is exactly the kind of details that matter on the factory floor where gloves, coolant mist, and rushed midnight repairs are all part of the plot.
Product Identification and Key Variants
| Item | Description | Service Value |
|---|---|---|
| Product name | ABB FlexPendant Teach Pendant | Standardized HMI for ABB robot operation |
| Part number | 3HAC087622-001 | Correct ID for ordering and spare validation |
| Cable length (as listed) | FlexPendant 10 m | Suitable for most cell layouts without extension |
| Related variant | 3HAC087622-002 FlexPendant 30 m | Useful for larger cells or remote operator positions |
| E-stop style | Emergency stop at the connector | Confirms physical layout and replacement matching |
ABB also lists the dedicated cables and extension options associated with this configuration, including 10 m and 30 m cables and several extension cable lengths, plus a compatible TPU holder assembly. One practical constraint is also noted: extension cables cannot be used together with an external operator panel (option 733-3 or 733-4). That line alone can save hours of integration confusion.
Compatibility Reality Check (Important)
A key rule from ABB documentation is simple and non-negotiable:
The FlexPendant for IRC5 is not compatible with OmniCore, and vice versa.
This matters for procurement teams and engineers who manage mixed-generation ABB fleets. The part number may look like “just another pendant,” but compatibility is tied to controller generation and the software environment supporting it. If your plant is gradually migrating from IRC5 to OmniCore, you should treat the pendant inventory as two separate ecosystems.
Hardware and Operator Interface Overview
The IRC5 guide presents the FlexPendant as a complete computer in itself, connected to the robot controller by an integrated cable and connector. This architecture supports durable shop-floor operation and minimizes the need for additional hardware to perform common tasks.
The main parts typically associated with the FlexPendant include the connector, touchscreen, emergency stop button, joystick, reset button, USB port, and a three-position enabling device. Some versions also include a thumb button and stylus pen.
| Interface Element | Function in Daily Use | Why Operators Care |
|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen | Navigation, program review/editing | Fast access to menus and system context |
| Joystick | Jogging the robot | Precise, intuitive axis and path adjustments |
| Emergency stop | Immediate safety stop | Critical for commissioning and recovery |
| Three-position enabling device | Safe manual operation | Enables controlled teaching under strict safety logic |
| Reset button | Restarts the pendant if it freezes | Reduces downtime without rebooting the controller |
| USB port | File transfer and service tasks | Useful for backups and workflow support |
| Integrated cable/connector | Reliable physical link to controller | Fewer connection variables during troubleshooting |
ABB also notes that if protective gloves are used, they must be compatible with touchscreens. That’s a small line with big ergonomic implications in high-mix, high-safety environments.
Operational Value for Integrators and MRO Teams
In many factories, the teach pendant is a single point of usability. A robot can be electrically healthy and mechanically perfect, but if the pendant is damaged, missing, or incompatible with the controller, you effectively have a high-value statue instead of an automation asset.
The 3HAC087622-001 therefore plays three major roles:
-
Commissioning accelerator
During new cell setup, a reliable pendant speeds up point teaching, reference checks, tool data validation, and safe motion verification. -
Changeover enabler
For lines that frequently switch products, quick local access to jog, speed limits, and process sequences reduces changeover time and human error. -
Downtime shield
When a line stops, the pendant is often the fastest diagnostic path to understanding faults, I/O status, and safe recovery steps.
Why the 10 m Configuration is a Smart Default
The 10 m cable length offers a sensible balance in most cell designs. It is long enough to allow safe working distances around guarding, weld booths, and material feeders while remaining easier to manage than ultra-long cable runs. ABB’s spare parts listing makes the 10 m vs 30 m distinction explicit for this pendant family.
For plants focused on standardization, the 10 m version is often the most economical “base” spare, with extension options used only when the cell layout truly demands it. The documented limitation about extension cables and external operator panels is a good reminder to validate your exact HMI architecture before choosing a cable strategy.
Summary
The ABB 3HAC087622-001 FlexPendant is a rugged, production-grade teach pendant for IRC5 robot systems, listed as the 10 m version with the emergency stop at the connector. ABB’s own IRC5 documentation emphasizes that the FlexPendant is designed for harsh industrial use, with a touchscreen resistant to water, oil, and accidental welding splashes and a hardware-software design that functions as a complete handheld operator computer.
The most important procurement and service truth is also the simplest: IRC5 FlexPendants are not compatible with OmniCore. If you get that right, this pendant becomes exactly what it should be—an efficient, safe, and dependable control interface that protects both uptime and operator confidence across the life of your ABB robotic cell.
