Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for December 2019

Industry 4.0 to ‘revolutionize’ use of safety sensors and switches, says report

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The so-called “Industry 4.0” trend – an umbrella term for a range of connectivity and automation technologies – will “revolutionize” the use of safety sensors and switches, according to a new report.

The Global Market Study on Safety Sensors and Switches, by Persistent Market Research, says the global market is projected to expand at “a meteoric rate” to register annual growth of 10.7 per cent throughout the period of assessment, 2017-2025.

In 2017, the global market for safety sensors and switches was valued at around $13.8 billion and is estimated to touch a valuation higher than $30 billion by the end of the period of forecast. [Read more…] about Industry 4.0 to ‘revolutionize’ use of safety sensors and switches, says report

Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair

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Panasonic has obtained the international safety standard IEC 62061 certification for its safety control system designed for robotic mobility chair.

The IEC standard is required by the international safety standard ISO 13482 applicable to personal care robots.

This certification means that the Japan Quality Assurance Organization has recognized that Panasonic’s safety control system for personal care robots conforms to the IEC 62061 standard: “Safety of machinery – functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems”. [Read more…] about Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair

What is a ‘digital twin’ and why it matters

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Seeing double? That’s a good thing when it comes to improving efficiency and anticipating problems in refineries.

A refinery is a high stakes environment with no room for error.

Operators must learn how to run production facilities, but training on the real asset would be risky. A minor error could put workers in harm or cause downtime, costing hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. [Read more…] about What is a ‘digital twin’ and why it matters

Mazak showcases machining centre with ‘world’s fastest CNC’

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Mazak has demonstrated a new machining centre which it says has the “world’s fastest CNC”.

Mazak says its Integrex i-400S Multi-Tasking machining centre at the upcoming Autosport Engineering and Southern Manufacturing 2019 exhibitions.

The i-400S features a large 1500mm machining bed with a completely new design offering higher performance machining and greater workpiece capacity than any other multi-tasking machines in its size range. [Read more…] about Mazak showcases machining centre with ‘world’s fastest CNC’

Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm

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Festo has presented the latest innovations in its BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm technologies.

Combined with the BionicSoftArm, a pneumatic lightweight robot, the Future Concepts are “suitable for human-robot collaboration”, says Festo.

Whether its grabbing, holding or turning, touching, typing or pressing – in everyday life, we use our hands as a matter of course for the most diverse tasks. [Read more…] about Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm

Omron launches 237 new factory automation control devices

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Omron has launched the sixth wave of its factory automation control devices built on a common design platform for further innovation in control panel building.

The new products include 237 models in six categories low voltage switch gear: J7KC, J7TC, J7MC, J7KCA and J7KCR series low voltage switching gears (LVSG), S8V-CP series DC electronic circuit protectors, and PTF-XX-PU socket for LY relays with Push-In Plus technology.

With its Value Design products, Omron’s goal is to provide a complete solution to panel builders, while saving space and reducing the workload and total cost of ownership. [Read more…] about Omron launches 237 new factory automation control devices

SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet

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SICK has launched what it describes as its “most powerful and accurate 2D LiDAR sensor yet”.

The LMS4000 is designed for materials handling and intralogistics applications, and is said to maintain its high degrees of accuracy and power even at high speeds, in low ambient light or when goods, packages or parcels are matt black or glossy.

SICK says its LMS4000 2D LiDAR Sensor’s “exceptionally high” laser scanning frequency helps to produce more than half a million measurement points per second to calculate the position, shape, volume or surface quality of goods, packages or components over a wide depth of field, and at ranges up to 3 metres. [Read more…] about SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet

SICK makes its 3D camera programmable

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SICK has made its powerful Visionary T 3D snapshot camera programmable, so it can run user-specific image processing applications developed in its pioneering AppSpace software development ecosystem.

The SICK Visionary T-AP, a robust 3D imaging camera that captures high-resolution 3D data with a single shot of light, is the first SICK programmable device to be launched with ready-to-use SICK Key Apps already on board.

The Visionary T-AP can be purchased with easy-to-use plug and play applications to solve common 3D guidance and localisation tasks in materials handling, warehousing and intralogistics applications, particularly for obstacle recognition, collision avoidance, and navigation in the use of service robots, automated guided vehicles, carts and forklifts. [Read more…] about SICK makes its 3D camera programmable

BMW invests €400 million in Dingolfing plant for BMW iNEXT

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The BMW Group is investing around €400 million in its Dingolfing vehicle plant for production of the BMW iNEXT.

In doing this, it is preparing for the manufacture of pure battery-electric and highly automated BMW cars at its largest European production location.

With the launch of the BMW iNEXT in 2021, Plant Dingolfing will be capable of producing the right mix of fully-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and models with combustion engines to suit demand on a single assembly line. [Read more…] about BMW invests €400 million in Dingolfing plant for BMW iNEXT

BMW claims it has ‘half a million’ electric vehicles on the road

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BMW claims it has “half a million” electric vehicles on the road, and is looking to double that number to reach 1 million by the end of 2021.

To mark the reaching of this milestone, Sebastian Mackensen, BMW Group senior vice president market Germany, handed over the keys to a very special BMW 330e to its future owner at BMW Welt today.

Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW, says: “Half a million vehicles is the best proof: Our broad range of electrified vehicles is meeting exact customer needs. [Read more…] about BMW claims it has ‘half a million’ electric vehicles on the road