ABS layer adhesion issues

Higher temperature and less ambient air-flow. What you are described is normal for ABS in an open bay if the environment is not tightly controlled.

If finish is you primary concern consider things like epoxy resin for the finish and a less picky material
There are materials that print easier and are structurally stronger and even even some that are also more tolerant of ambient heat so ... do not artificially limit yourself.

If you need it -- you need it and will just have to deal with the printing hassles. Bump the temp, slow it down and block off air flow around it as best you can.

 

@Geof uses ABS more, but I am pretty sure not on a Robo...

 

If the perimeters are holding togather decrease speed and increase temps a bit.

As @mark tomlinson states I dont run ABS on my R1 series machines for this exact reason (to much trouble on anything of decent size).

Which part of the finish of ABS are you after? Maybe we know of an alternative material that will work better for you on the R1. I'll be totally honest if clients didn't demand ABS because they dont want to move away from "familiar" I'd never run it. There are far superior materials these days (and a ton of them), sometimes you just get stuck

 

You can look into Colorfabb XT and NGEN as well as ASA. ASA is pretty much ABS but can be printed on a "open" 3D Printer a little easier. on my R1 series I tend to stick with XT and NGEN. XT for functional- NGEN for somewhat functional but needs to be pretty.

 

Alloy910