Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for June 2017

Mitsubishi improves visualisation on its human machine interface

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The GT2107 Wide Series Human Machine Interface
The GT2107 Wide Series Human Machine Interface

Mitsubishi has updated its human machine interface and integrated what it says is improved visibility and performance. 

The company says the improvements to its GT2107 HMI were driven by “end user demand”.

Mitsubishi says the GT2107 is an interface that monitors and controls machine components with a graphical touchscreen that connects to equipment such as programmable logic controllers, variable frequency drives and servos.

The compact HMI features a 7-inch wide display with 800 x 480 resolution for clear image quality and is equipped with a remote connectivity option through a virtual network computing server. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi improves visualisation on its human machine interface

Swiss robots planning to build houses using 3D printers

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ETH Zürich, a university in Switzerland, has unveiled a plan to build a three-storey house – dubbed DFab House – using robots and 3D printing. (See video below.) 

Structural engineers and sustainability experts from ETH Zürich have teamed up with business partners on the project, which is designed to bring numerous building technologies from research labs into the real world.

The project is overseen by the National Centre of Competence in Research Digital Fabrication, and its architects, robotics specialists, and materials scientists.  [Read more…] about Swiss robots planning to build houses using 3D printers

US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence

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The manufacturing sector is experiencing a dramatic turnaround in business, according to figures released by the White House. 

President Donald Trump has consistently said he wants the manufacturing sector to grow and has personally intervened to persuade many large manufacturing companies to consider relocating or expanding their operations in the US.

However, the vast majority of manufacturing companies in the US are small businesses, of less than 100 people.  [Read more…] about US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence

US manufacturing faces possible pitfalls and severe declines, says report

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U.S.-manufacturing flags
Picture credit: LeHighValley.com via GlobalTradeMag.com

The US manufacturing sector faces numerous possible pitfalls and some risk of severe declines, according to a new report by Creditsafe USA.

The in-depth analysis of the US manufacturing industry says that, despite recent overall consistent performance, there are “several areas of concern” across the entire sector. In particular, the rate of bankruptcy signaling the possibility of an industry slowdown.

With the manufacturing industry being the largest area of employment in the US, any decline could have a “catastrophic effect” on the overall US economy, says Creditsafe.  [Read more…] about US manufacturing faces possible pitfalls and severe declines, says report

Robotiq releases updated version of its collaborative robots ebook

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robotiq cobot ebook

Robotiq has updated what it says is one of its “most read” ebooks, and has made it downloadable for free.

This is the seventh update of Robotiq’s Collaborative Robots Buyer’s Guide, and it’s available free at the company’s website.

Robotiq says the guide provides a clear view of what’s available, so manufacturers who are thinking about adding a robot to their production floor, as well as those who plan on expanding automation in their factory, will see which model of collaborative would best fit their requirements.  [Read more…] about Robotiq releases updated version of its collaborative robots ebook

Plant manufacturer Schenck RoTec extends range of services in its balancing centres

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Schenck RoTec

Schenck RoTec has added a new feature to its certified balancing services – high-speed balancing of flexible rotors. 

The company claims to be “the global market leader in balancing and diagnostic systems”.

Basically it balances rotating bodies to avoid vibrations.

In heavy industrial machines such as gas turbines and electric generators, vibration can cause catastrophic failure, as well as noise and discomfort.  [Read more…] about Plant manufacturer Schenck RoTec extends range of services in its balancing centres

Smart tool dispenser systems finding their way into industrial settings

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Thomas Dicks, head of e-business and marketing at Lerbs
Thomas Dicks, head of e-business and marketing at Lerbs

Smart automatic vending machines are becoming increasingly widely used in industrial settings, according to Bedrunka+Hirth. 

The German company supplies what it calls “intelligent consumable and tool dispensers” which have hi-tech features such as ID card and PIN code verification access management.

B+H says the machine knows exactly who is allowed to receive a measuring device and when it must be calibrated. It logs the number of times when a milling cutter was taken out and knows when the stock is running out.  [Read more…] about Smart tool dispenser systems finding their way into industrial settings

Automation Direct launches new CPU for its programmable logic controllers

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Automation Direct’s new CPU
Automation Direct’s new CPU 

Automation Direct has added two new “feature-enhanced” CPUs to its DirectLogic DL405 programmable logic controller product line.

The D4-454 and D4-454DC-1 provide all the capabilities of the D4-430, D4-440 and D4-450 CPUs, using updated microprocessor technology allowing the D4-454 to be the CPU of choice for the DL405 family.

Both D4-454 CPUs include a built-in power supply and four communication ports.  [Read more…] about Automation Direct launches new CPU for its programmable logic controllers

International Transport Workers’ Federation calls for virtual counter-revolution against robot bosses

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itf uber car
Picture credit: Alper Cugun via Flickr and ITF

The International Transport Workers’ Federation is calling on all its members and affiliates worldwide to “work together” and launch a virtual revolution to counter the growing oppressive power of robots. 

Autonomous driving technology threatens to displace millions of truck drivers and cab drivers and other transport workers worldwide, and the ITF says the bosses and the elite are introducing these inhuman technologies without bothering to properly consider the “social costs” to the proletariat.

The ITF has 16 million members worldwide and almost 700 individual unions affiliated to the organisation.

In response to the robot takeover, the ITF is promoting a hashtag for people to tweet to – #futureofwork – as well as its own hashtag, #WeAreITF.

The ITF also organised a gathering in Stockholm, Sweden for the first meeting of the federation’s new automation working group.  [Read more…] about International Transport Workers’ Federation calls for virtual counter-revolution against robot bosses

Teamsters union tackles self-driving trucks issue, calls for comprehensive federal rules on autonomous vehicles

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teamsters-trucks-2

The Teamsters Union is calling for any federal legislation regarding self-driving technology to take into account public safety and the millions of working Americans employed in transportation and related industries.

At a public hearing on Capitol Hill this week, House lawmakers discussed 14 pieces of draft legislation on self-driving vehicles. The bills could be combined into a final package for introduction in the 115th Congress.

The Teamsters Union has been closely monitoring all aspects of the technology, urging lawmakers to prioritize safety and transparency in rules concerning the testing phase of self-driving vehicles.  [Read more…] about Teamsters union tackles self-driving trucks issue, calls for comprehensive federal rules on autonomous vehicles