controller

Husarion launches new robotics development board

husarion core2 — The basic Core2 is shown on the left, while the ROS-enabled Core2 is on the right

A company called Husarion has launched a new development board specially designed for robotics.

The Core2 is described as a controller with a variety of interfaces which are useful in robotics, and it can be connected to the Husarion cloud, enabling remote control of robot systems over the internet.

Among the use cases Husarion highlights are:

industrial robot arms;
telepresence robots;
logistics robotcs;
drones; and
exoskeletons.

One flavour of Core2 uses the Robot Operation System, and is now available for pre-order through CrowdSupply.com. The controller itself is being offered for less than $100 while Continue reading Husarion launches new robotics development board

Got milk? How a Swiss company builds filling and packaging systems for milk, coffee and other products

swiss can machine matic127TwinFP_01 crop — A piece of equipment manufactured by Swiss Can Machinery

Scaled technology and functioning interfaces are essential for Swiss Can Machinery, which is why the company’s filling and packaging systems have a modular design throughout, and why it uses a product program with a scaled structure for the drive technology.

The filling and packaging systems at Swiss Can Machinery – which was established by brothers Marc and Michael Grabher – shows how this objective can be achieved.

The company turns to stainless steel motors for the actuators; for example, when these systems are used for filling and packaging pharmaceutical products. Continue reading Got milk? How a Swiss company builds filling and packaging systems for milk, coffee and other products

RoboMotion and SoTec demonstrate cloud robotics solution using Kuka Agilus

Industrial automation integrator RoboMotion and software company SoTec have demonstrated a robotics solution which enables users to control an industrial robot through their smartphones.

The two companies say they have developed an integrated solution which enables “robot control from the cloud”, and used the system to control an industrial robot made by Kuka.

The solution essentially eliminates the need to use a programmable logic controller, or PLC, which is basically a computer attached to robotics and automation hardware systems to program and control their movements. Continue reading RoboMotion and SoTec demonstrate cloud robotics solution using Kuka Agilus

Daimler orders millions of dollars worth of industrial robotics tech from Kuka

The robotics division of Kuka has received what the company describes as “a major new order in the double-digit million euro range” from a German premium car manufacturer.

The framework agreement with the Daimler encompasses the supply of multiple industrial robots of the KR Quantec generation and the integrated KR C4 controller, as well as robots from the KR Fortec heavy-duty series.

The robots will be used primarily for joining and handling applications in body-in-white production. Continue reading Daimler orders millions of dollars worth of industrial robotics tech from Kuka

Omron develops AI-equipped machine automation controller

Omron says it has developed a machine automation controller equipped with a machine learning artificial intelligence algorithms.

The company claims it is the first of its kind in the industry.

Omron says the AI-equipped controller achieves real-time integration between a programmable logic controller function, which controls production lines and equipment changing in microseconds on factory floors, and an AI processing function.

Using Omron’s extensive range of sensors to monitor the status of equipment and processes, the controller safely regulates them before an irregularity can occur by predicting unusual movements of machinery based on the causal model that the built-in AI has been made to learn. Continue reading Omron develops AI-equipped machine automation controller

ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

Monitoring and control software now comes with company’s smallest material and machine tool handling robot

ABB Robotics says SafeMove2 is now also available for IRB 1200, the smallest ABB robot to feature its advanced safety-certified monitoring and control software.

SafeMove2 enables people to work safely alongside ABB robots with payloads ranging from 6kg to 800kg without compromising productivity.

It also provides an optimum level of collaboration and flexibility to higher speed and throughput applications which typically require more insular, intrusive levels of safety. Continue reading ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

Fanuc is introducing its new R-30iB Plus robot controller at the annual Fanuc Open House event on April 10-13 at its headquarters in Japan.

The new R-30iB Plus controller features a new iPendant with an enhanced screen resolution and processing capability.

The user interface, iHMI, has an icon-based screen which provides a familiar and easy-to-use experience with intuitive guides for setup and programming. Continue reading Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

Controller area network: No need for a computer

In this exclusive guest article, Kent Lennartsson, research manager at Kvaser, highlights a crucial technology – reliable, hassle-free controller communication

A “controller area network” – or CAN, also known as a CAN bus or vehicle bus – is most well known for its use in automotive design.

In this system, a vehicle bus allows microcontrollers and other devices to communicate with one another without the need for a central computer.

This concept is akin to our use of the Internet of Things in everyday life.

This means when you’re driving down the highway in your Audi R8, your cruise control system can quickly communicate with your anti-lock brakes, disengaging the gas pedal and activating emergency brake assist, helping to make a fast stop if debris drops from a truck into your lane. Continue reading Controller area network: No need for a computer

Automotive industrial robot market forecast to reach $8 billion within four years

Industrial robots are in high demand in the automotive sector, and a research company is saying the market will grow to beyond $8 billion by 2021.

In the report published by MarketsandMarkets, the market was estimated to be $5.07 billion in 2016, and is projected to grow to $8.44 billion by 2021, at a growth rate of 10.74 per cent. Continue reading Automotive industrial robot market forecast to reach $8 billion within four years

Delta launches new PLC series enabling ‘easy and advanced programming’

Delta Electronics has launched a new series of programmable logic controllers which it claims enables “easy and advanced programming” for sectors such as electronics manufacturing, labeling, food packaging and textile machines.

The AS300 PLC series covers most automation applications at a very attractive price, says Delta.

Delta adds that the AS300 series Compact Non-backplane Mid-range PLC is a “high performance multi-purpose controller designed for all kinds of automated equipment”. Continue reading Delta launches new PLC series enabling ‘easy and advanced programming’

Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

Yamaha Motor says its internet of things automation system enables integrated control of multiple robot products with one controller

Yamaha has developed a new Advanced Robotics Automation platform – essentially an internet of things system for connecting machines together.

This integrated control robot system enables building advanced automated production lines at low cost, in short time frames, and provides a “remarkable increase in compatibility with IoT”, says Yamaha.

The company adds that the newly-developed integrated controller delivers comprehensive coordination and synchronous control of an entire automated system, including transport of pieces, handling, image recognition, and control of peripheral devices. Continue reading Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

Universal Robots now certified for applications in cleanroom environments

Universal Robots’ lightweight collaborative robot arms can now be implemented in controlled environments, says the company

Universal Robots says it collaborative robots have been awarded a certification which officially allows them to be used in cleanroom applications.

After successful tests in accordance with VDI 2083 Part 9.1, the international industrial guideline concerning the various functions and measures of cleanroom technologies, the robot arms and the accompanying controller boxes made by the Danish pioneer in human-robot collaboration have been awarded the certification for cleanroom applications by the international certification organization TÜV SÜD.

In compliance with the industrial norm ISO 14644-1, the company’s robots UR3, UR5 and UR10 are now authorized for the global use in cleanroom environments of the cleanroom class ISO 5. Continue reading Universal Robots now certified for applications in cleanroom environments

Yaskawa launches new collaborative industrial robots at Automatica

The Yaskawa HC10 collaborative robot — The new Yaskawa HC10 collaborative robot

Yaskawa has launched a new collaborative industrial robot range at Automatica, along with a number of other innovations, including a new compact controller.

The hotly anticipated collaborative Motoman HC10 is consistent with the plan to position Yaskawa as one of the world’s leading robot manufacturers in the area of human-robot collaboration.

The manufacturer of Motoman industrial robots is presenting the new development outside Japan for the first time at its stand in the new robotic technology hall (B6-502). Continue reading Yaskawa launches new collaborative industrial robots at Automatica

DJI launches new Matrice 600 aerial software platform

DJI on Sunday introduced the Matrice 600, its next-generation aerial platform, marking a new era for professional aerial photography, filmmaking and industrial applications.

The M600 integrates DJI’s brand-new A3 flight controller onboard and features advanced Lightbridge 2 video-transmission technology that offers high frame rates and HD live-streaming capability at distances up to five kilometers.

“The M600 is the most-powerful and easiest-to-use professional platform DJI has ever produced,” said senior product manager Paul Pan. “We’ve pre-programmed all M600 platform data and information into the A3 flight controller, remote and transmission system to minimize setup and get you flying as quickly as possible.”

Details on DJI’s website.

Denso Robotics launches new robot controller

Denso Robotics has released its latest RC8 robot controller, which features a built-in I/O command-slave function that allows Denso robots to be controlled directly by Rockwell and Omron PLCs or PACs. Beta testing for Siemens and Mitsubishi PLCs and PACs is in progress.

“Ease of use has always one of our chief considerations,” said Peter Cavallo, robotics sales manager, Denso products and services Americas. “The I/O command-slave function in our RC8 controller makes it easy for customers to program and operate our robots from within their familiar PLC or PAC environment, without having to learn a specialized programming language.”

Denso is the world’s largest manufacturer — and user — of small assembly robots, employing more than 17,000 of its robots in its own facilities. More than 60,000 additional Denso robots are used by other companies worldwide, giving Denso the largest market share in this segment by far. Continue reading Denso Robotics launches new robot controller