Robotics & Automation News

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MHI Machine Tool produces commercial metal 3D Printer using laser beams

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machine Tool Co., Ltd. has commercialised a metal 3D printer applying laser-based metal additive manufacturing technology.

The first unit was delivered in March to the Industrial Research Centre of Shiga Prefecture, in Ritto, Japan.

The commercial model is capable of laminating diverse metal materials at high speed, through use of a proprietary Directed Energy Deposition (DED) method in which metal powder material is continuously fed by nozzles to the laser fusing point.

[Read more…] about MHI Machine Tool produces commercial metal 3D Printer using laser beams

DB Schenker opens first low-carbon distribution terminal in Norway

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Global logistics service provider DB Schenker is opening its first low-carbon city distribution centre in Oslo, the new Oslo City Hub.

The centrally-located new terminal will reduce CO2 emissions of city goods distribution by 80%, using electric cars and e-bikes.

Oslo City Hub is part of Electric City, the Oslo district’s focus on activities associated with its status as European Green Capital 2019.

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Adena to invest $70m in orthopaedic and robotics centre

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Adena Health System is to construct a five-story Orthopedic and Robotics Center on the campus of Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC), located in Chillicothe, Ohio, USA.

The  $70-million investment will include at least six operating rooms to meet the specific technological and space needs for current and future orthopaedic and robot-assisted surgeries.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the new centre opening in 2021.

Bosch Engineering opens vehicle acoustics test centre

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Vehicle acoustics are steadily gaining traction as a quality criterion in today’s cars.

When a vehicle is in motion, audible or perceptible vibrations emanating from individual components can cause annoying automotive noise conveyed by the vehicle’s structure and rendered as airborne sound.

Acoustics experts refer to this phenomenon as NVH, which is short for noise, vibration, harshness.

[Read more…] about Bosch Engineering opens vehicle acoustics test centre

Australian university focuses on future food systems

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Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers will play a key part in developing smart logistics to link growers with their markets and high-tech methods of growing customised food, with the announcement of the Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre.

The Future Food Systems CRC will involve more than 50 commercial and research partners, with the Federal Government injecting AUS$35 million in funding over 10 years along with almost AUS$150 million in support from the research centre’s educational and commercial participants.

QUT’s involvement in the CRC is spread across the centre’s three research and development programs of planning and logistics in linking growers to their markets, developing smart automated indoor cropping and creating nutrient-dense foods and hybrid food and medical goods tailored to growing domestic and export markets.

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Okuma and Hartwig open tech centre in Houston

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Okuma America Corporation, a world leader in CNC machine tool manufacturing, and Okuma distributor Hartwig, have opened a new Okuma Tech Center at Hartwig Houston in Texas, USA.

The 23,000 sq ft showroom which features more than 20 machine tools – including larger machines specifically built for the oil and gas industry.

Wade Anderson, Okuma Product Specialists Sales Manager and Tech Centers Manager, said: “The new space allows us to show the larger machines that are significant to the oil and gas industry, and our customers can see live-cutting applications demonstrated on these Okuma machine tools.”

Swisslog wins two large orders in Scandinavia and Southeast Asia

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Swisslog has been commissioned to carry out the comprehensive automation of the Coop warehouse in Langhus.

The delivery includes a high-bay pallet warehouse with six Vectura stacker cranes and a conveyor system, which are controlled by the intelligent Swisslog software SynQ.

 The new distribution centre will be in full operation at the beginning of 2021.

[Read more…] about Swisslog wins two large orders in Scandinavia and Southeast Asia

Logistics automation: Mercedes looking to capitalise on growing e-commerce market

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mercedes-vision-van-logistics

Mercedes has revealed a futuristic van which it says will feature at the centre of an autonomous, or at least, highly automated delivery system. 

The “Vision Van”, which apart from its shape looks nothing like your usual van, is equipped with drones which integrate into the system through the internet of things.

Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz vans, says: “The Vision Van embodies the intelligent, clean and fully connected van of tomorrow – with electric powertrain, fully automatic cargo space, integrated delivery drones and innovative communication features.”  [Read more…] about Logistics automation: Mercedes looking to capitalise on growing e-commerce market

Amazon to open logistics centre filled with robot workers

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Amazon is growing its UK fulfilment centre network as it expands to meet customer demand, increases its product selection and supports more third party Marketplace sellers with Fulfilment by Amazon. 

The fulfilment centre will be Amazon’s 13th in the UK and will be equipped with advanced Amazon Robotics technology.

Amazon says its new fulfilment centre in Tilbury, Essex, will open in 2017, and create more than 1,500 new permanent jobs for humans next year. This is in addition to the 3,500 other humans the company already employs in the UK. The new centre will also be filled with autonomous logistics robots.  [Read more…] about Amazon to open logistics centre filled with robot workers