Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for November 2017

Technical guide: Fanuc panel keyboard keys overview

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Contributed by MRO Electric, an independent factory automation distributor 

Fanuc Alarm keys: These keys are located on the machine panel that displays alarm intelligence for the machine panel. MRO Electric has several Fanuc part numbers starting with A06B, A20B, and A16B in-stock here. These keys differ from the alarm keys correlated with the control panel.

Fanuc Auto key: This is the key on the CNC machine (including the A16B, A17B & A20B product line) that reshapes the operation mode to automatic. Automatic mode authorizes an operator to contact and execute a part program stored in memory. Automatic mode is called memory mode on some CNC controls at times.

A safety function that determines if the tool has moved beyond its set boundaries. Forbidden zones can be programmed to specify areas where the tool can and cannot enter.  [Read more…] about Technical guide: Fanuc panel keyboard keys overview

Siemens links MindSphere to AWS, and says new industrial challenges can ‘only be resolved through digitalisation’

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Siemens makes latest version of its industrial internet of things platform MindSphere available on Amazon Web Services

Research conducted by Siemens suggests that many of the new demands faced by industrial companies can only be met with increasing computerisation of traditional industry. 

Siemens says increasing demands by consumers for individual, high-quality products at favourable prices are posing new challenges for industrial enterprises which can only be resolved by digitalisation.

Siemens, which offers a wide range of digitalisation solutions for industry, suggests it now has a portfolio – collectively called Digital Enterprise Suite – that conforms to Industry 4.0 expectations.  [Read more…] about Siemens links MindSphere to AWS, and says new industrial challenges can ‘only be resolved through digitalisation’

ABB partners with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to bring IoT intelligence to industrial plants

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Companies say the new partnership will provide “actionable insights across industrial plants, cloud and on-premises data centers for higher productivity and innovation” 

ABB and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have agreed a strategic global partnership that combines ABB’s digital offerings, through ABB Ability, with HPE’s hybrid information technology solutions.

The companies say the partnership will provide customers with solutions that “generate actionable insights from vast amounts of industrial data” to increase the efficiency and flexibility of their operations and create competitive advantage.

The companies say they will combined ABB’s “deep domain expertise” in operations technologies and HPE’s expertise in information technology to provide an integrated OT-IT solution to customers.  [Read more…] about ABB partners with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to bring IoT intelligence to industrial plants

Sony launches the third generation of its image sensors

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Sony Semiconductor Solutions has launched its third generation image sensors, IMX421 and IMX422, for “high-speed automation”.

Framos, a supplier of the technology, says the Sony Semiconductor Solutions feature its high-performance third generation CMOS Global Shutter with the brand-new IMX421 and IMX422 image sensors.

Both of these two high-speed sensors are designed for machine vision and factory automation, says Framos, and come with a pixel size of 4.5 µm for “high sensitivity and low noise”.  [Read more…] about Sony launches the third generation of its image sensors

Kyocera breaks ground on new manufacturing plant

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Kyocera has ceremonially broken ground on a new manufacturing plant for ceramic structural components in Kagoshima, Japan. 

The new facility will produce durable, high-precision components for semiconductor and LCD manufacturing equipment, says the company.

Kyocera held a groundbreaking ceremony last week, attended by the company’s president, Hideo Tanimoto.  [Read more…] about Kyocera breaks ground on new manufacturing plant

Alien robot from Forbidden Planet walks off with $5.4 million in New York. No word of a lie

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The alien robot which starred in the classic 1956 science fiction film Forbidden Planet has just walked off with $5.375 million in New York. 

Robby the Robot was last seen celebrating his film’s winning of an Academy Award for special effects.

Now, the allegedly lovable robot has conspired with New York auctioneer Bonhams to nab $5.4 million.  [Read more…] about Alien robot from Forbidden Planet walks off with $5.4 million in New York. No word of a lie

Comau partners with a number of robotics and automation integrators in South America

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Industrial robotics and automation company Comau has signed up a range of new partners companies in South America. 

In Brazil, Comau has signed up system integrator Mabru Automation.

The Brazilian company was founded 10 years ago and is located in São Paulo.  [Read more…] about Comau partners with a number of robotics and automation integrators in South America

Omron to launch new condition-monitoring devices

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Omron says it plans to launch a new range of condition-monitoring devices which will enable users to “visualize facility conditions not seen before”.

Omron says the four series of condition-monitoring devices will allow workers to monitor operational status in manufacturing sites.

They are:

  • motor condition-monitoring devices that predict a failure of three-phase induction motors;
  • power supplies equipped with networking capability that can predict the service life and failures of a power supply installed in a control panel;
  • flow sensors and pressure sensors that monitor hydraulic oil and cooling water used for press machines and molding machines; and
  • a smart condition-monitoring amplifier that accelerates IoT of existing analog sensors installed in facilities or machines.

[Read more…] about Omron to launch new condition-monitoring devices

Toyota launches tiny humanoid robot that fits into the palm of your hand

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Toyota has launched a tiny robot small enough to fit into the palm of your hand. 

The KiRobo Mini is clearly the company’s way of taking a break from making cars, and is now on sale in Japan.

According to Nikkei, the little robot “can talk, learn, and serve up information on your car and home”.  [Read more…] about Toyota launches tiny humanoid robot that fits into the palm of your hand

Universal Robots puts on a show in Singapore for people interested in its technologies

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The Singapore business unit of Universal Robots has put on what it called a “roadshow” for people interested in its collaborative robots and associated technologies.

Established a couple of years ago as Universal’s Asia-Pacific headquarters, the Singapore branch has been enthusiastic in its work in promoting the company’s machines to the local market.

The Universal Robots Ecosystem Roadshow was held a few days ago at the posh Fullerton Hotel in the city-state.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots puts on a show in Singapore for people interested in its technologies