Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for May 21, 2019

US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

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More than 200 footwear manufacturers in the US have sent President Donald Trump an open letter calling for an end to what they call the “catastrophic” and “unfathomable” new tariffs on Chinese imports. 

The companies include global and household names such as Adidas, Cat, Converse, K-Swiss, Nike, Puma, Ugg, and Under Armour, among many others.

The letter was sent under the auspices of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the leading industry association, representing a total of 500 companies and brands worldwide. [Read more…] about US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

KB Components develops its logistics with automation specialist Swisslog

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KB Components, one of Scandinavia’s leading manufacturers of plastic components, has chosen Swisslog as its partner for automation and logistics development.

The two companies started collaborating back in 1986 with the installation of automated pallet cranes and now, more than 30 years later, they have chosen Swisslog as their partner again for the replacement of this market leading technology.

Kent Brickling, logistics manager at KB Components, says: “Over the years, we have had a great cooperation with Swisslog for the service and system support of our pallet cranes at our facility in Örkelljunga, Sweden. [Read more…] about KB Components develops its logistics with automation specialist Swisslog

ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

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Industrial automation provider ABB and telecommunications equipment company Ericsson have strengthened their commitment to accelerate the industrial ecosystem for flexible wireless automation, which will enable enhanced connected services, industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies in the future. 

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Hannover Messe 2019, establishing their joint vision for future flexible production with automation and wireless communication.

The collaboration comes during the Industry 4.0 era and 5G connectivity which allow businesses to realize increased productivity, with the help of automation and digitalization. [Read more…] about ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

Kuka forms ‘strategic partnership’ with Schüco

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Industrial robotics and automation company Kuka has signed what it describes as a “strategic partnership” with Schüco.

The goal of the exclusive cooperation is the joint development and implementation of automation solutions for tomorrow’s production of windows, doors, and façades.

In the initial phase, the main focus of development is the production of aluminum windows and doors. [Read more…] about Kuka forms ‘strategic partnership’ with Schüco

Locus Robotics in technology partnership with RightHand Robotics

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfilment warehouses, and RightHand Robotics (RHR), a provider of integrated robotic piece-picking solutions, announced a partnership to deliver cross-platform robotics solutions for warehouse fulfilment operators.

Locus and RHR will give a preview of their multi-stage fulfilment solution at Manhattan Associates’ Momentum Conference 2019 from May 20 -23rd in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Their approach combines Locus’s autonomous multi-robot model for piece handling with RHR’s autonomous work cell to provide greater automation, addressing multiple fulfilment processes, from picking to packing, especially in high-volume environments.

[Read more…] about Locus Robotics in technology partnership with RightHand Robotics

B&R launches controller and multi-touch HMI in one device

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B&R says its Power Panel C50 provides the combined advantages of a powerful controller and a modern projected capacitive touch screen in a single HMI device.

The Power Panel is equipped with a dedicated processor for the HMI application, and is therefore an optimal solution for mapp View HMI applications. It can be used at temperatures ranging from -20°C to +60°C and does not require a fan.

The modern multi-touch HMI is available with clear or anti-reflective glass, and is ideally suited for premium machine designs.

[Read more…] about B&R launches controller and multi-touch HMI in one device

Mitsubishi Electric to acquire US software company Iconics

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Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is to acquire the remaining shares of Iconics, Inc., a U.S. software company focused on SCADA, IoT, mobile, analytics and cloud software products for the manufacturing, industrial and building-automation markets.

The acquisition makes the company a 100% subsidiary within the Mitsubishi Electric Group.

Mitsubishi Electric aims to enhance its software product lineup to realise e-F@ctory, including edge-computing, by combining Iconics’ software-developing capabilities and Mitsubishi Electric’s factory-automation technology.

e-F@ctory is an integrated solution based on factory automation (FA) and information technologies to reduce the total cost of developing, producing and maintaining products.

[Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to acquire US software company Iconics