Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Piab adds new size to its ‘bellows’ end-effector range

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Piab has further broadened its already extensive range of what are called “end-effectors” – basically the “hands” for robotic arms. 

Piab has extended its line of bellows flat friction suction cups to include a cup measuring 80 mm in diameter.

With this 80 mm cup, the company says it will fill the gap in its “highly competitive” range of DuraFlex friction cups. The new size BFFT80P-2 is available with 10 standard friction suction cup fittings. [Read more…] about Piab adds new size to its ‘bellows’ end-effector range

Upward Farms launches first organic vertical farm in the US Northeast

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Upward Farms, an aquaponics vertical farming company, has opened its new headquarters in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York.

The innovative new facility – which is Upward Farms’ first – utilizes the company’s next generation technology in both commercial production and research and development.

The operation, powered by breakthrough end-to-end automation, is USDA Certified Organic, making Upward Farms the first and only Certified Organic vertical farm in the Northeast region. [Read more…] about Upward Farms launches first organic vertical farm in the US Northeast

How to automate pre-employment checks at your workplace

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The Human Resources department is one of the busiest in any company. They don’t generate profit in a direct way – they’re not the one manufacturing or selling goods, they don’t interact with the clients, but their job is even more important than that.

They keep the whole place running and this is a high responsibility. Fortunately, HR managers in Australia can use digital technology to automate many of their routine jobs, so the personnel can focus on economic forecasts and streamlining the company’s activity.

Here are a few ideas to automate pre-employment checks in your company. [Read more…] about How to automate pre-employment checks at your workplace

How TikTok can bring money to entrepreneurs

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If you are an owner of a small business, do you pay attention to developing your business on a new social media platform? Here are some Tiktok Business Tips that will bring you potential customers and money for free of charge.

What do we recommend to use TikTok in your marketing plan?

TikTok is more than just an app for young guys to post jokes and dances on videos. TikTok reaches almost every demographic group on the platform with over 800 million real fans worldwide. [Read more…] about How TikTok can bring money to entrepreneurs

ABB robots increase automation in solar industry

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Producing a solar collector every six minutes, ABB robots make Absolicon’s solar technology a cost-competitive alternative to conventional heating.

To enable the transformation to a sustainable society and preserve resources, production of solar collector panels must be precise, highly efficient and cost effective.

To achieve this, Absolicon and ABB have developed the world’s only complete solution for the mass production of concentrated solar collectors, in Absolicon’s factory in Härnösand, Sweden. [Read more…] about ABB robots increase automation in solar industry

Fanuc expands range of SCARA robots

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Fanuc America has expanded its line of high-performance SCARA robots, offering more reach and payload options to companies with assembly, packaging, pick and place, and inspection processes.

Fanuc’s range of 4-axis SCARA robots has grown to include the SR-3iA, SR-6iA, SR-12iA, and new SR-20iA models with 3kg, 6kg, 12kg and 20kg payload capacities, and a 400-1,100mm reach, respectively.

The small SR-3iA and SR-6iA SCARAs have a compact footprint and space-saving design for maximum efficiency. [Read more…] about Fanuc expands range of SCARA robots

Intelligent multi-camera system for quality control of vaccine bottles

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Combating the Covid-19 pandemic is at the top of the global agenda. Around the world, efforts are being made to supply the population with vaccine as quickly as possible. But providing around 8 billion doses – at least one for every person in the world – is no easy task.

Glass vials are a crucial factor in the delivery of the billions of doses of vaccine. About 50 billion of them are produced worldwide every year. Currently the producers of the vials are massively ramping up their production so as not to become the proverbial bottleneck in the supply chain.

However, medical-grade vaccine vials are not standard glass tubes. Whether rolled-rim bottles, threaded bottles or ampoules, they are all made of the special glass borosilicate and require customized production lines. [Read more…] about Intelligent multi-camera system for quality control of vaccine bottles

Small Manufacturing Leaders Look for Long-Term Strategies: Connected Factories Driving Demand for Robotics Engineers

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By Thomas R. Cutler

A recent Gartner survey showed 57 percent of manufacturing leaders feel their organization lacks skilled workers to support smart manufacturing digitization plans. Most agreed a long-term strategy is necessary to develop the connected factory worker.

“Our survey revealed that manufacturers are currently going through a difficult phase in their digitization journey toward smart manufacturing,” said Simon Jacobson, vice president analyst, with the Gartner Supply Chain practice.

“They accept that changing from a break-fix mentality and culture to a data-driven workforce is a must. However, intuition, efficiency and engagement cannot be sacrificed. [Read more…] about Small Manufacturing Leaders Look for Long-Term Strategies: Connected Factories Driving Demand for Robotics Engineers

Growing interest in Linux tablets and panels in 2021

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The end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 has shown an uptick in searches and inquiries for tablet PCs and panel PCs with Linux operating systems. The bulk of those searches are for Linux Tablet PCs.

With industrial panel PCs that handle Linux natively and rugged tablet PCs that can utilize Linux as a custom ODM (original design manufacturer) or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) project, Estone Technology explored potential causes for this uptick in search.

The product lines for Linux panel PC and a tablet with Linux have distinctly different uses. We will explore some of the benefits of Linux by the type of product to identify the cause for the trend. [Read more…] about Growing interest in Linux tablets and panels in 2021

RTI releases ‘first’ software framework for widely distributed autonomous systems

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Real-Time Innovations, a software framework company for autonomous systems, has released the latest version of its software framework, RTI Connext.

RTI says Connext 6.1 is “the first software framework designed to address the development and deployment challenges faced by companies building remotely-operated autonomous systems”.

Autonomous systems must operate in inaccessible, remote, or hazardous environments. [Read more…] about RTI releases ‘first’ software framework for widely distributed autonomous systems