Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for February 15, 2018

Miso Robotics raises $10 million to develop burger-flipping robot

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Miso Robotics says it has raised $10 million in Series B funding to develop its burger-flipping robot. (See video below.)

The financing was led by Acacia Research Corporation.

Strategic investors participating in this funding round include Levy, the industry-leading sports and entertainment hospitality company, OpenTable’s chief technology officer Joseph Essas, and founding investor Cali Group, as well as six members of Cali Group’s management team and its subsidiary company, CaliBurger.  [Read more…] about Miso Robotics raises $10 million to develop burger-flipping robot

Heidenhain launches new encoder

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Heidenhain has launched a new encoder for use with Acu-Rite’s digital readouts.

The AMO LMF 9310 multi-section linear encoder adds to the company’s line of linear encoders.

The new TTL encoder is specifically designed for long length applications (over 10′) on manually operated machines and is compatible with Heidenhain’s Acu-Rite brand of digital readouts.  [Read more…] about Heidenhain launches new encoder

Mitsubishi partners with Eplan to integrate new IIoT data exchange system

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Industrial automation company Mitsubishi Electric is partnering with computer-aided design software provider Eplan to integrate a new industrial internet of things data exchange system.

The integration is made possible by industry association AutomationML, according to the companies.

The new integration solution from Eplan Electric P8 to Melsoft iQ Works by Mitsubishi Electric connects electrical engineering systems to automation systems.  [Read more…] about Mitsubishi partners with Eplan to integrate new IIoT data exchange system

The quantum leap with EMF Motor

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Twenty years ago, an engineer called Michael Prokopp co-developed a new concept for an electric motor, which was supposed to be far superior to the traditional motor.

The synchronous torque motor should achieve a much higher torque at low speeds and thus be more efficient than traditional motors.

If the best German manufacturer in this industry achieves an efficiency of 76 percent, then the EMF Motor is 94 percent – “a quantum leap” – said Prokopp confidently.  [Read more…] about The quantum leap with EMF Motor

Novotechnik releases new touchless transducer

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Novotechnik has released its TFD-4000 series short-stroke touchless transducer.

The company says the new transducers are “an ideal and economic solution” where minimal size, high environmental protection, extremely long life and high reliability are key factors for medium to high-volume OEM position control applications.

Available from Variohm EuroSensor, they feature single or optionally redundant ratiometric output; a typical repeatability of +/- 0.1 % FS; a measurement range of 5 to 50 mm; and 12-bit resolution.  [Read more…] about Novotechnik releases new touchless transducer

Radical loony lefty unions could recruit robots as members

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Radical loony lefty unions could recruit robots as members and give them voting rights to increase their negotiating power against the bosses. 

They could also use robots as a way to return to the good old days of the block vote, when the union leader voted on behalf of all the members.

So, for example, if you had 1,000 militant robots who each had one vote, their union boss could have 1,001 votes – including the one vote for him or herself – and it would be a nightmare for the bosses.  [Read more…] about Radical loony lefty unions could recruit robots as members

Extra sensitivity for robotic force sensor

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The Robotiq FT 300 multi-axis torque force sensor, designed specifically for operation with Universal Robots, has had its sensitivity increased tenfold, says UK supplier Raruk Automation.

With plug-and-play integration on all models of Universal Robots, the Robotiq FT 300 performs highly repeatable, precision force control tasks such as finishing, product testing, assembly and precise part insertion. It has a measuring range of ±300N.

Raruk Automation offers the complete range of Robotiq off-the-shelf 2-finger, 3-finger and dual grippers and 6-axis torque force sensor.

[Read more…] about Extra sensitivity for robotic force sensor