Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for April 18, 2018

Shipbuilders set to increase use of robotics and automation technologies

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Parts of the shipbuilding sector has for many years used robots for tasks such as welding and blasting, things that industrial robotic arms are particularly good at. 

There has also been a type of exoskeleton developed for shipbuilding work which is worn by workers to help with heavy lifting to reduce the physical stress of what can be a demanding job.

But shipbuilding remains a human labour-intensive sector, and companies are looking to increase their utilisation of robotics and automation technologies.  [Read more…] about Shipbuilders set to increase use of robotics and automation technologies

Universal Robots presents mobile plug-and-produce solutions at Hannover

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At the Hannover Messe 2018, which takes place on April 23-27, Universal Robots will be demonstrating how ‘Plug-and-Produce’ facilitates simple and flexible automation solution implementation.

The company will be displaying practical application examples to show how versatile, swiftly integrated components are allowing companies to successfully meet challenges, such as a growing variety of products and increasingly flexible batch sizes. Most of the applications’ accessories come from Universal Robots+ ecosystem.

“At our booth, fair visitors will see for themselves that ‘Plug-and-Produce’ is a reality, thanks to our UR+ ecosystem. It offers access to a constantly growing number of grippers, sensors, software and additional accessories, all of which are guaranteed to be implementable via Plug-and-Play, says Helmut Schmid, General Manager for Universal Robots in Western Europe.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots presents mobile plug-and-produce solutions at Hannover

Kärcher advances its digital transformation with Dassault Systèmes

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Cleaning technology company Kärcher has adopted Dassault Systèmes‘ 3DExperience platform to digitally transform its existing processes worldwide for its cleaning systems, products and services.

Kärcher will rely on the “Single Source for Speed” industry solution, based on the 3DExperience platform. The company can integrate its product development processes, improve collaboration and knowledge sharing for up to 1,200 employees, and reduce product development and production costs.

“We planned to deploy the 3DExperience platform on premise to strengthen our brand performance, innovation and quality, but once we understood the values and benefits that the 3DExperience platform on the cloud can bring to our business, we clearly chose the cloud,” said Michael Stritzelberger, Executive Vice President, Kärcher.

[Read more…] about Kärcher advances its digital transformation with Dassault Systèmes

Bühler partners with Microsoft to launch new digital solutions for the food processing industry

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Bühler says it will unveil “ground-breaking digital technologies” that include minimizing toxic contamination, reducing food waste and increasing end-product quality across the whole food value chain as part of a new partnership with Microsoft.

The new digital solutions and services will be presented at the Microsoft booth at Hannover Messe in Germany.

“Today’s food value chains are facing tremendous challenges,” says Ian Roberts, CTO at the Bühler Group.  [Read more…] about Bühler partners with Microsoft to launch new digital solutions for the food processing industry

Skycatch and DJI to deliver drones for Komatsu Smart Construction sites

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Commercial drone data company Skycatch, and drone manufacturer DJI have extended their partnership to manufacture and deliver a fleet of high-precision drones for Komatsu Smart Construction.

Each DJI drone is fitted with specialized Skycatch technology, the first time DJI has manufactured a custom drone for a partner.

The Skycatch Explore1 drone autonomously flies over job sites to create accurate 3D site maps and models and will be deployed on Komatsu job sites.

[Read more…] about Skycatch and DJI to deliver drones for Komatsu Smart Construction sites

EPHJ partners with Inartis Foundation to launch microtechnology challenge

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The EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland next week, brings together expertise in watchmaking, microtechnology and medical technology under one roof.

It is one of the very few shows of its kind in the world, possibly the only one, and taps into Swiss watchmaking traditions and industry.

And this year, the event’s organisers plan to go even further by joining forces with the Inartis Foundation to launch the first competition for the development of ideas – the “Watch Medtech Innovation Challenge”, or “Watch Medtech”.  [Read more…] about EPHJ partners with Inartis Foundation to launch microtechnology challenge

Nebbiolo Technologies to showcase its latest fog and edge computing platform at Hannover Messe

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Nebbiolo Technologies, a provider of fog computing platforms for industrial companies, will showcase what it claims is a “comprehensive software fog/edge computing infrastructure” at Hannover Messe next week.

Fog computing, also known as fog networking or fogging, is a decentralized computing infrastructure in which data, compute, storage and applications are distributed in the most logical, efficient place between the data source and the cloud.

Edge computing refers to devices which can perform a lot of the computing required without needing to send the data to the cloud.  [Read more…] about Nebbiolo Technologies to showcase its latest fog and edge computing platform at Hannover Messe

Epson Robots named a 2018 Silver Edison Award winner

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Epson Robots, which claims to be the “number-one SCARA robot manufacturer in the world”, says that its Flexion N-Series 6-Axis robot has been named a Silver Winner for innovation by the highly prestigious Edison Awards in the category of Applied Technology.

The Edison Awards have been honoring the best in innovation and excellence in the development of new products and services for 31 years.

Winners were announced during an awards gala at the April 11th event at The Capitale in New York City.  [Read more…] about Epson Robots named a 2018 Silver Edison Award winner

Omron’s machine vision technology wins innovators award

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Omron Automation has received an award for its “groundbreaking machine vision technology”.

Vision Systems Design, a news source about machine vision and image processing, has named Omron as one of its 2018 Innovators Award honorees.

Omron says it recently upgraded its machine vision portfolio to include several cutting-edge technologies that expand its ability to address challenges in automation.  [Read more…] about Omron’s machine vision technology wins innovators award

Tempo raises $20 million to build new factory in San Francisco for electronics manufacturing

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Electronics manufacturer Tempo Automation has closed a $20 million Series B round to increase its manufacturing capacity and double its team in key roles in software engineering, sales, and manufacturing.

Tempo says the move is “driven by high demand”. The company plans to increase manufacturing capacity with a new connected factory and company headquarters in the heart of San Francisco.

Paired with its factory software, this increases its overall capacity by 10 times over the next couple years.  [Read more…] about Tempo raises $20 million to build new factory in San Francisco for electronics manufacturing