Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for June 12, 2018

Rockwell Automation to buy $1 billion stake in product lifecycle management software provider PTC

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Rockwell Automation is investing $1 billion into product lifecycle management software provider PTC.

PTC and Rockwell Automation say they have entered into a partnership that is expected to accelerate growth for both companies.

The companies say the deal makes them the “partner of choice” for customers around the world who want to transform their physical operations with digital technology.  [Read more…] about Rockwell Automation to buy $1 billion stake in product lifecycle management software provider PTC

Former Universal Robots CEO launches ambitious plan for end-effectors sector

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Enrico Krog Iversen, former CEO of collaborative robot maker Universal Robots, is partnering with the Danish Growth Fund to address what he sees as “the next challenge in automation” with the merger of three innovative end-of-arm tooling companies to facilitate the ongoing growth of collaborative robotics, an industry expected to reach $8.5 billion by 2025.

The new company – which combines US-based Perception Robotics, Hungary-based OptoForce, and Denmark-based On Robot – will be called OnRobot.

Iversen says the new company will drive innovation and ease-of-use for robotic end-of-arm tooling.  [Read more…] about Former Universal Robots CEO launches ambitious plan for end-effectors sector

Audi uses Stratasys 3D printer to prototype tail light covers

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Audi is planning to use what is claimed to the “world’s only full-color, multi-material 3D printer” to prototype tail light covers.

Additive manufacturing systems supplier Stratasys says Audi Pre-Series Center with its Plastics 3D Printing Center in Ingolstadt, Germany, will leverage “the world’s only full-color, multi-material 3D printer” – the Stratasys J750 – to innovate its design process and accelerate design verification.

For the production of tail light covers, Audi expects to reduce prototyping lead times by up to 50 percent.  [Read more…] about Audi uses Stratasys 3D printer to prototype tail light covers

Harman launches 5G-ready multiband conformal antennas for automotive industry

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Harman International has launched its “all-new” 5G-ready multiband conformal antennas for automotive applications.

Harma, which is subsidiary of Samsung, says the new product combines multiple antennas in one module that can be mounted below a vehicle’s body panels.

A modern, connected car could require as many as 18 antennas to provide all relevant services for consumers.  [Read more…] about Harman launches 5G-ready multiband conformal antennas for automotive industry

Former Universal Robots engineers launch Purple Robotics

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A team of experienced, former Universal Robots engineers have launched a new company called Purple Robotics and have established US distribution for what they claims is “the world’s first dual electrical vacuum gripper”.

The “innovative PR10 collaborative gripper” needs no external air supply and can be installed in less than 30 minutes, says the company, adding that the dual gripper can cut production time up to 50 percent.

Purple Robotics, founded by key developers behind the world’s first collaborative robot, has launched the PR10, an innovative vacuum gripper designed for collaborative applications.  [Read more…] about Former Universal Robots engineers launch Purple Robotics

Computers on wheels: An insight into how computers are making cars in their own image

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When Robotics and Automation News interviewed Professor Ralf Herrtwich, the boss of autonomous driving technology at Daimler Mercedes-Benz, one of the many interesting insights he gave us was about the nature of car making these days. 

Herrtwich said that, while building cars is still mainly a mechanical process, developing them is overwhelmingly about software.

“Both at OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and suppliers,” said Herrtwich, “software engineering and coding constitute a huge and ever-growing portion of the work.”  [Read more…] about Computers on wheels: An insight into how computers are making cars in their own image

EPHJ: Nominees for Exhibitors’ Award for 2018 unveiled

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The Jury of the Exhibitors’ Award for 2018 at EPHJ-EPMT-SMT, the international high-precision trade show, has selected six innovative projects from the numerous applications submitted for consideration.

These six nominated projects will now be put to a vote by the 800 exhibitors of EPHJ-EPMT-SMT who elect the Grand Laureate 2018. The winner will be unveiled on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, the opening day of the show.  [Read more…] about EPHJ: Nominees for Exhibitors’ Award for 2018 unveiled

Belt & Road: Much more than a revival of the ancient Silk Road

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A huge amount has been written already about the so-called Belt and Road initiative or project, but it looks like this is just the beginning. 

On the face of it, the Belt and Road refers to a plan to create a logistics network that brings together Europe and Asia with road, rail, and sea routes.

It’s an idea China came up with, and its leaders have made enthusiastic pronouncements about it, even though the project will cost an estimated $1 trillion over the next decade or two. But it’s an open-ended, complex project, so such estimates could just be Communist Chinese propaganda.  [Read more…] about Belt & Road: Much more than a revival of the ancient Silk Road

Festo offers smaller controls and valves package

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There is a growing trend towards ever smaller control cabinets, and control systems, remote I/Os and valve terminals from Festo are no exception. The modular control system CPX-E and the universal valve terminal VTUG are now combined into one solution package.

The package offered by Festo, consisting of the modular automation system CPX-E and the universal valve terminal VTUG, is said to be more compact and cost-efficient than other control cabinet solutions.

The modular control system CPX-E is an automated system for factory and process automation. It consists of individual function modules which enable a flexible, modular design: depending on the module combination, the system can be configured as a purely remote I/O system with bus module or as a control system with control unit.

[Read more…] about Festo offers smaller controls and valves package

Nachi launches new compact robot

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Nachi has launched the new compact multi-purpose robot MZ12. The robot has the following features: IP67 rated protection level, coolant resistant paint and, according to the company, leads its class in speed in precision.

It’s footprint is 17% smaller than conventional robots and it includes through-arm cabling and air piping. Further details available from the company.