Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for September 19, 2018

Technical insight: How to improve uptime in industrial robotic systems

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How sensors coupled with Industry 4.0 technology will enable predictive maintenance of industrial robots

Machine maintenance can sometimes seem like one of the black arts, according to experts at Infineon Technologies. A seemingly reliable machine suddenly stops working and, despite everyone’s best efforts, cannot be brought back to life. Along comes a member of the maintenance team and, after some beard-scratching, tinkering inside the machine and a few words of encouragement, the machine springs back to life.

The reality is often more pragmatic. Schedules of work are arranged to optimize uptime and undertake preventative maintenance during periods that have the least impact on manufacturing. However, there are still times when maintenance engineers seemingly ‘sense’ impending failure of their robots and automation equipment.

Could the implementation of sensing technologies, beyond the sensors needed for process monitoring, deliver improvements in predictive maintenance?  [Read more…] about Technical insight: How to improve uptime in industrial robotic systems

Manufacturing is set for ‘the next American industrial revolution’, says ABI

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ABI Research says its study of recent big industrial technology exhibitions “highlights how the manufacturing landscape is set for the next American industrial revolution”.

The consultancy says: “The manufacturing landscape is about to change and change in a big way.”

The debate over whether or not digitization will impact this market has passed, it adds.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing is set for ‘the next American industrial revolution’, says ABI

EOS launches new digital industrial additive manufacturing production system

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EOS, a leading supplier of industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers, has launched the new EOS M 300-4 system.

The company says the new system is part of the broader, modular metal 3D printing platform EOS M 300 for digital industrial additive manufacturing production.

Tobias Abeln, chief technical officer, says: “With its modular set-up and its scalable and flexible concept, the new system line focuses on the high customer demands for AM production.  [Read more…] about EOS launches new digital industrial additive manufacturing production system

Recom becomes ‘Europe’s largest manufacturer of solar products’

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Recom Solar has increased its European production capacity by one gigawatt, and now claims to be Europe’s largest manufacturer of solar products.

Recom, which makes photovoltaic modules, is expanding its production capacity through a series of activities at its existing and new European manufacturing sites.

In a statement, Hamlet Tunyan, co-founder and CEO of Recom, says: “We have reached the strategic decision to keep investing in Europe, traditionally marked by high-quality and stringent production.  [Read more…] about Recom becomes ‘Europe’s largest manufacturer of solar products’

Industry 4.0 highlights need for dimensional metrology amid competition in discrete manufacturing, says Frost

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Higher automation drives demand for metrology software across verticals, says Frost & Sullivan

The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things has altered the manufacturing landscape, with manufacturers of all sizes looking to automate their systems and adopt modern measurement technologies like dimensional metrology to stay competitive.

The impact of the Mega Trend, Industry 4.0, has been particularly significant in discrete manufacturing industries, where inspection has traditionally been the most prominent phase of any manufacturing process due to compliance requirements.

Europe’s stringent governmental regulations, with regard to product quality and warranty costs, have established it as a huge market for the latest dimensional metrology equipment.  [Read more…] about Industry 4.0 highlights need for dimensional metrology amid competition in discrete manufacturing, says Frost

Autonomous mapping robots in action at Fog World Congress

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Robots to create real-time maps of venue for Fog World Congress 2018 attendees, showcasing that fog computing systems from various domains can communicate

When you arrive at Fog World Congress 2018, watch out for the robots. Autonomous mapping robots will be traversing and mapping the venue floor in real-time for conference attendees. It’s fog in action, designed to validate that fog computing systems from various domains can communicate, explained conference organizers.

Scheduled for October 1-3 in San Francisco, Fog World Congress 2018 is the largest gathering of fog computing leaders and edge influencers worldwide. It is produced by the OpenFog Consortium in collaboration with IEEE Communications Society.

A live, proof-of-concept demonstration of the autonomous mapping robots will take place in the exhibitor area during the conference.  [Read more…] about Autonomous mapping robots in action at Fog World Congress

Parrot launches drone for construction and surveillance industries

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Parrot Business Solutions has unveiled ANAFI Work, a tool for use in the construction, surveillance and public safety sectors. It contains the advanced ANAFI drone that allows professionals to shoot photos and videos of their projects.

It features a 4K HDR video camera and a 21 MP sensor for carrying out tasks such as building and infrastructure inspections.

The camera tilts vertically from -90° to +90 °, and a zoom of 1.5x in 4K and 2.8x in full HD (1080p), enabling close-ups of specific element, remotely.

[Read more…] about Parrot launches drone for construction and surveillance industries

IBM signs 10-year deal with Indian fashion firm Aditya Birla 

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IBM and Indian fashion firm Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (ABFRL) have expanded their existing relationship with a 10-year services agreement.

As a part of this agreement, IBM will bring in its global technology and automation expertise to help enhance and manage ABFRL’s IT infrastructure, with better availability of IT systems, employee productivity through self-help solutions and improved disaster resilience.

IBM will provide infrastructure-as-a-service in a private cloud environment, enabling ABFRL to scale its IT operations in line with their business growth.

[Read more…] about IBM signs 10-year deal with Indian fashion firm Aditya Birla 

Apple introduces iPhone XR with A12 bionic chip

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Apple has launched iPhone XR, integrating breakthrough technologies from iPhone XS in an all-screen glass and aluminium design with the most advanced LCD in a smartphone featuring a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display and six finishes.

iPhone XR brings the powerful A12 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine, the TrueDepth camera system, Face ID and an advanced camera system that creates portraits using a single camera lens.

iPhone XR will be available to pre-order beginning Friday, October 19 and in shops from Friday, October 26.

[Read more…] about Apple introduces iPhone XR with A12 bionic chip

DHL to build logistics centre for Austria and Eastern Europe

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DHL has started construction of its new DHL Campus Vienna Airport. The state-of-the-art freight hub for Austria and Eastern Europe is in the municipality of Fischamend.

DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight are each building an advanced freight terminal and an office building with a total of around 12,000m² of warehouse space and around 3,500m² of office space on the property.

This will pool competencies for air and ocean freight as well as land and intermodal transport centrally at one location and create new, larger capacities for cargo.

[Read more…] about DHL to build logistics centre for Austria and Eastern Europe