Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for January 2016

Robotiq launches new FT 300 force torque sensor

by

Robotiq has launched its newest Force Torque Sensor: the FT 300, which the company says brings “a sense of touch to your robot”.

The Force Torque Sensor FT 300 has plug and play integration on all Universal Robots, making automation of high-precision tasks such as product testing, assembly and precise part insertion easy and fast to set up.

The Force Torque Sensor FT 300 is specially designed for Universal Robots. The easy integration includes a smooth mechanical fit, integration and programming. This new Sensor will open up a whole range of force sensitive applications that will be fast and easy to automate, says the company. [Read more…] about Robotiq launches new FT 300 force torque sensor

Two-armed robots: Baxter helps Stenner meet increased demand

by

rethink robotics, baxter, material handling
Rethink’s Baxter robot is capable of many type of material handling tasks, says the company
Stenner Pump Company, a maker of water treatment pumps, tanks, injection systems and more, is leveraging Rethink Robotics’ two-armed Baxter robot in its manufacturing plant in Jacksonville, Fla. to increase flexibility and efficiency, allowing for quicker product development and delivery.

The team at Stenner Pump is deploying Baxter in a production cell to complete two tasks using each arm simultaneously. Baxter uses one arm to package and place finished parts from an injection molding machine into a bagging machine for final production.

Using the other arm, Baxter begins a three-step machine tending and assembly task by placing a strainer into a fixture and ensuring proper part orientation. Baxter then places a weight into the strainer and waits for the lid to be pressed on to the strainer; finally, the robot removes the finished part and places it into a bin of finished products. [Read more…] about Two-armed robots: Baxter helps Stenner meet increased demand

Honeybee Robotics begins field testing Planetary Deep Drill system

by

honeybee planetary deep drill
Honeybee’s Planetary Deep Drill will be tested to reach 100 feet in Mars analog environment at USG Corporation’s gypsum quarry in California

Honeybee Robotics is beginning a new phase of development of its Planetary Deep Drill, a lightweight and portable drill designed eventually to reach kilometers below the surface of icy formations in the Martian polar caps, Enceladus, or Europa.

After validating the drill’s performance in laboratory tests, the company is now undertaking field trials at a gypsum quarry, where rock formations provide conditions analogous to drilling through future planetary targets.

At USG Corporation’s gypsum quarry near the Salton Sea, California, Honeybee will select a formation of rock with strength similar to cryogenic ice. [Read more…] about Honeybee Robotics begins field testing Planetary Deep Drill system

Industrial robots: Fanuc sells record-breaking 400,000 robots worldwide

by

FANUC 35iA, collaborative robot
The Fanuc CR-35iA is the industry’s first 35 kg payload force limited collaborative robot

Fanuc has set a new world record for production of over 400,000 robots.

“Over the last several years, there’s been an increasing global demand to implement the latest technologies in factories,” said Mike Cicco, vice president, Fanuc America.

“This demand has stimulated production of industrial robots in general, and has played a major role in Fanuc achieving this milestone, and maintaining our position as the world’s number one supplier of factory automation and industrial robots.” [Read more…] about Industrial robots: Fanuc sells record-breaking 400,000 robots worldwide

Exoskeletons: Ekso Bionics launches Europe trials

by

eksoproductEkso Bionics says a new randomized comparative clinical trial is currently underway in Europe.

The trial is called “The MOST Study” (Mobility improved after stroke when a robotic device was used in comparison to physical therapy) and is being initialized by Professor Dr. med. F. Hamzei, MD, MHBA, Chief physician of Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Moritz Klinik.

This study is investigating the impact of gait training with the Ekso GT on functional independence of 80 patients with impaired gait as a consequence of stroke, when compared to conventional physiotherapy alone.  [Read more…] about Exoskeletons: Ekso Bionics launches Europe trials