Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for May 7, 2017

Bosch reports increased sales of €73 billion. Wins massive new sensor contract from Apple

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Bosch – one of the world’s largest industrial companies, producing a wide variety of engineered products, from automotive components to home appliances – has reported increased sales for the year 2016. 

In a press conference last week to launch the German giant’s annual report, Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner listed the key figures:

  • sales rose from €70.6 billion in 2015 to €73.1 billion last year; and
  • earnings before tax in 2016 reached a total of €4.3 billion.

Sales in all business segments and geographical regions had increased, added Denner.

As positive as the figures may seem, Denner said the company was nonetheless undergoing “profound transformation”, partly brought about by a range of new technologies which are changing the global industrial landscape, and because diesel engines may be phased out.  [Read more…] about Bosch reports increased sales of €73 billion. Wins massive new sensor contract from Apple

Apple to invest $1 billion in advanced manufacturing companies in the US

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By Stephen Nellis, Reuters

Apple plans to create a $1 billion fund to invest in US companies that perform advanced manufacturing, chief executive officer Tim Cook said a few days ago, the iPhone maker’s latest effort to show how it is creating US jobs.

The Cupertino, California company will announce the fund’s first investment later in May, Cook said during an interview on CNBC.

Cook also said Apple plans to fund programs that could include teaching people how to write computer code to create apps, and will release more details about the effort this summer.

The announcements were the latest in a series of disclosures to highlight how Apple, the world’s largest company by market valuation, contributes to job creation in the United States. Apple came under fire from President Donald Trump during his campaign because it makes most of its products in China.  [Read more…] about Apple to invest $1 billion in advanced manufacturing companies in the US

China must take holistic approach to future of Hong Kong

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Hong-Kong_skyline

By Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng 

Hong Kong’s government has a reputation for being inward-looking when it comes to formulating policies.

Prior to the 1997 handover, such an approach was acceptable and made sense, as Hong Kong was separated from mainland China.

However, interactions between the city and mainland have significantly increased since the handover.

The government must now take a more holistic approach to understanding the overall developments on the mainland and their implications for the future of Hong Kong.

A case in point is Hong Kong’s land use planning.  [Read more…] about China must take holistic approach to future of Hong Kong

Emerson launches new control module for industrial machines

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emerson IO-Link valve

Company says new component provides Industry 4.0 diagnostics for pneumatics through direct digital control 

Emerson have expanded the ASCO Numatics 580 Series fieldbus electronics platform with the introduction of an IO-Link communication option.

The company says the new IO-Link module is for use with the ASCO Numatics 500 Series valve islands, and will allow machine automation designers a convenient, cost effective and reliable solution for solenoid valve control through direct digital data communication with the machine controller plus the ability for event-based and I/O mapped diagnostics – both important predictive maintenance requirements for Industry 4.0.

The 580 Series IO-Link is compatible with the full range of 501, 502 and 503 Series valve islands which offer from 400 to 1400 l/min flow rates in valve sizes of 11, 18 and 26 mm.  [Read more…] about Emerson launches new control module for industrial machines

Robotiq launches program templates for Universal Robots machines

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Robotiq says its new templates simplify the implementation of many common applications in robotics and automation.

Robotiq says its new tools to help collaborative robots beginners save a lot of time, especially in programming their robots.

Program templates are now available and ready to be downloaded on Robotiq’s online resource center. The templates simplify the robot’s programming so it can be put to task in a record time, says the company.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches program templates for Universal Robots machines

Cone Drive launches Harmonic Solutions in Asia

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cone drive Harmonic Gear 2

Cone Drive, a precision motion control technology provider, is expanding the reach of its new Harmonic Solutions product range into the Asia market at the Shanghai International Modern Industrial Intelligent Equipment Exhibition (SIA) in May 2017.

The Asia launch follows commercial launches in the US at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in September 2016 and Europe at Motek in October 2016.

Having launched its product range in the US and Europe, Cone Drive is to enter the market in Asia which represents 85 per cent of the global harmonic market.

Cone Drive says the high quality engineering and manufacturing standards of its Harmonic Solutions are ready to meet the Asian market’s demands by providing engineered solutions for applications in robotics, aerospace, metrology, defense, medical, machine tooling industries, and more.  [Read more…] about Cone Drive launches Harmonic Solutions in Asia

Video: Hannover Messe 2017 review

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This is a collection of excerpts from interviews conducted with exhibitors at the recent Hannover Messe industrial trades show, in Germany.

For extended versions of the interviews, please visit our website over the next few weeks and check to see if they are published. Or contact us to find out.

Robotics and Automation News was represented by our editor, Abdul Montaqim, at the event, and was there for the whole week-long engineering extravaganza.

Read our overview article of the event:
Hannover Messe: Global software update