Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for October 9, 2020

PostgreSQL vs MySQL for Robotics Companies: What Are the Similarities and Differences?

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PostgreSQL and MySQL are both Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), which have been the choice management systems for many robotics companies for decades.

Do you want to learn more about the similarities and differences between these two platforms? Are you trying to figure out which one is best for you? In this article, we’ll compare PostgreSQL vs. MySQL to equip you with the right information to make an informed decision. [Read more…] about PostgreSQL vs MySQL for Robotics Companies: What Are the Similarities and Differences?

Senseye secures investment from two giants of Japanese industry

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Senseye, an industrial Asset Performance Management company, has secured new investment from NTT DOCOMO Ventures and Sony Innovation Fund. The investment, also supported by existing investors, will drive Senseye’s expansion into the Japanese market and expand its research activities for its proprietary Artificial Intelligence solutions.

Simon Kampa, CEO of Senseye, comments: “We look to Japan for inspiration in manufacturing excellence. Indeed, we derived Senseye from the Japanese word Sensei to highlight that connection. We are therefore pleased and proud to receive this new investment from two leading Japanese businesses.”

The company’s Predictive Maintenance solution, Senseye PdM, has recently been deployed by some of the world’s largest companies in the automotive, food and beverage, packaging, and metals & mining sectors. Its AI is continuously analyzing millions of data points, in real-time, ensuring that none of its customers experience any unplanned downtime. Customers have reduced unplanned downtime by over 50 percent, streamlined spare-parts inventories, and cut maintenance costs by up to 40 per cent.

NTT DOCOMO Ventures and Sony Innovation Fund joins an existing group of investors, which includes MMC, Breed Reply and IQ Capital, with the investment validating the leadership position Senseye has gained within the Predictive Maintenance space.

Takayuki Inagawa, President and CEO of NTT DOCOMO Ventures, comments: “We are impressed by Senseye’s asset and data-agnostic approach, allowing their solution to be used on any machine and therefore significantly lowering the implementation barrier for factories of all scale. Beyond our investment, we look forward to promoting a partnership between Senseye and NTT DOCOMO’s innovative 5G industrial platform, enabling both mid and large tier industrial businesses to accelerate their digital journeys.”

“Senseye is the leading provider of Predictive Maintenance software, delivering real operational efficiencies with an unrivalled Return on Investment,” said Gen Tsuchikawa, Chief Investment Manager of Sony Innovation Fund. “Their solution provides a unique approach to delivering Predictive Maintenance at a scale not possible with other approaches. We look forward to working with Senseye to support their ambitions in Japan and beyond.”

Senseye has also established a leading ecosystem of global industrial partners, such as Bentley, Schneider Electric, Siemens and PTC, to enable it to offer a full stack of advanced digital solutions to its customers. To top it off, Senseye PdM is the only product that guarantees its performance through its insurance-backed ROI Lock™, offered as standard to all customers.

IDS extends Ensenso N 3D camera series

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The Ensenso N-Series is a compact and robust 3D camera system designed specifically for 3D applications in robotics and automated series production. Thanks to IP65/67 protection, it is also well-suited for use in harsher environments. The camera family is now being expanded by the new N40 and N45 models. They feature a novel design both inside and outside. Lightweight and with rounded edges, they open up new application possibilities, for example in collaborative robotics.

The housing of the new Ensenso N40/N45 3D cameras is made of fibre-reinforced plastic – resulting in the lightest stereo vision cameras with Gigabit Ethernet in the IDS product range. When mounted on a robot arm, for example, this means less stress on the robot mechanics. The cameras also minimise the risk of injury thanks to their rounded edges. As a result, they also excel in collaborative use with human colleagues. Furthermore, the housing meets the requirements of protection class IP65/67 and is effectively protected against dirt, dust and water spray. [Read more…] about IDS extends Ensenso N 3D camera series

Boom Supersonic rolls out new plane with components 3D printed by Velo3D

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VELO3D, a digital manufacturing company, has announced that Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 aircraft includes 21 flight hardware components that were manufactured by VELO3D’s Sapphire 3D metal printer. Unveiled at Boom’s hangar in Centennial, Colorado, the company believes that XB-1 marks a turning point in commercial viability for supersonic travel and demonstrates the power of additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, to enable innovation while accelerating product development.

“Aviation hardware is especially difficult to manufacture with 3D metal printing, due to challenging aerodynamic designs that must be balanced with superior durability and high temperature requirements,” said Benny Buller, CEO and Founder of VELO3D. “VELO3D’s technology allows the production of lightweight, complex designs for mission-critical applications in the toughest operating conditions. Our partnership with Boom is an advancement for the metal AM industry, and XB-1 supersonic aircraft is a game-changer for the aviation industry.” [Read more…] about Boom Supersonic rolls out new plane with components 3D printed by Velo3D

Kuka launches new SCARA robots

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Kuka has launched a new range of SCARA robots. The company says the new KR SCARA jointed-arm robots are “reliable assistants” for industrial production that that excel in applications like in small parts assembly, materials handling and inspection tasks.

In the payload category up to 6 kg, it is hard to find a match for the Kuka SCARA robots, claims the company.

The new KR SCARA horizontal jointed-arm robots from Kuka are ultra-compact and at the same time deliver “maximum cost-effectiveness”. [Read more…] about Kuka launches new SCARA robots

Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact partner to develop new PLC platform

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Yaskawa, a manufacturer of motion control, robotics, and variable speed drives, and Phoenix Contact, a manufacturer of automation solutions, have agreed a partnership to develop a new programmable logic controller platform.

The companies say they will utilize PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact in the development of the “next generation machine controller and PLC platform”, realizing the i3-Mechatronics solution concept lead by Yaskawa.

The common goal of both companies is to offer an open and future-proof ecosystem for industrial automation. In this context, Phoenix Contact has licensed its PLCnext runtime environment to Yaskawa and agrees on further joint developments. [Read more…] about Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact partner to develop new PLC platform

Mitsubishi Electric Automation launches ‘cost-effective’ industrial robot

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has launched its RV-8CRL industrial robot, saying it offers “a high-quality solution at a lower price point, while not sacrificing on performance”.

Due to its smaller base size, expanded effective working area, and compatibility with safety intelligence components, RV-8CRL is extremely versatile in its applications, including pick and place, inspection, and general assembly.

The RV-8CRL is designed for original equipment manufacturers and end users with a focus on easy implementation, robust safety options, and a reduction in downtime and maintenance. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric Automation launches ‘cost-effective’ industrial robot

Techman Robot establishes new training center in Taiwan

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Techman Robot, a manufacturer of collaborative robots, has established a new training center in Taiwan.

Affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the global economic situation, the industrial supply chain has been reorganizing, and the return of manufacturers has emerged.

In response to the demand for new and expanded production capacity, Techman Robot announces its cooperation with its distributor, Juyao Automation, to establish a flagship training center in Southern Taiwan to services end customers and automation manufacturers in that area. [Read more…] about Techman Robot establishes new training center in Taiwan

Yaskawa reaches 20 million AC servo motor sales

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Yaskawa Electric, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robots and automation technologies, has sold 20 million AC servo motor sales to date, according to a press release on the company’s website.

The company has offered AC servo motors and controllers to a wide range of customers in Japan and overseas since 1983.

Yaskawa, which coined the term “mechatronics”, says “cumulative AC servo motor shipments reached 20 million units in August 2020”. [Read more…] about Yaskawa reaches 20 million AC servo motor sales

Avnet poised to play key role in next-generation automotive technology

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The automotive industry is undergoing an historic transformation which will fundamentally shift the way vehicles are manufactured as well as change the way we look at and use cars, and possibly all road-going automobiles.

In-keeping with the widespread trend, Avnet, one of the world’s leading distributors of electronic components, is taking a leading position in developing the technologies required to make the future a reality.

A number of predictions are being made for the automotive industry, and many of them may have sounded outlandish in the past, but now that the public at large has accepted driverless cars as a realistic concept, anything is possible – even flying cars. [Read more…] about Avnet poised to play key role in next-generation automotive technology