Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Abstract raises $30 million to enable designers to work like developers

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Abstract, the git-enabled design workflow platform that already supports thousands of modern product design teams, has raised $30 million in Series C funding.

Lightspeed Venture Partners led the round with participation from existing investors Scale Venture Partners, Amplify Partners, and Cowboy Ventures, bringing the total funding to-date to $54.2 million.

As part of this financing, Lightspeed partner Nakul Mandan will be joining the company board.  [Read more…] about Abstract raises $30 million to enable designers to work like developers

Markforged raises $82 million to bring industrial 3D printing to mass production

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Markforged, a manufacturer of industrial 3D printers, has closed an $82 million Series D round of funding.

The round was led by Summit Partners with participation from existing strategic and financial partners, including Matrix Partners; M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund; Next47; and Porsche SE.

Markforged says it will use the additional capital to help accelerate its product roadmap, including the introduction of mass production printers and new materials.  [Read more…] about Markforged raises $82 million to bring industrial 3D printing to mass production

PalTac selects RightHand Robotics to further automate supply chain operations

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RightHand Robotics, a provider of robotic piece-picking solutions, has partnered with PalTac, Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods.

The collaboration will introduce RightHand’s newest piece-picking solution to the Japanese market, with multiple workstations to be installed in PalTac’s newest facility, RDC Saitama, opening later in 2019 in Sugito, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Japan represents a huge and growing market for automation as the world’s second-largest retail sector, with annual sales exceeding $1.3 trillion.  [Read more…] about PalTac selects RightHand Robotics to further automate supply chain operations

Unex to showcase new order-picking solutions at ProMat

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Unex Manufacturing, a provider of order picking solutions, will be exhibiting its order picking and storage solutions at the ProMat Show. 

Attendees at the show will see the latest Unex solutions that maximize space, improve productivity, and increase efficiencies in the warehouse, distribution center or manufacturing plant.

Brian Neuwirth, president of Unex Manufacturing, says: “This year our booth theme is ‘Save Space. Save Money,’ and we will show real-life examples of how Unex solutions help save space, time and money in order picking operations.  [Read more…] about Unex to showcase new order-picking solutions at ProMat

Fraunhofer to showcase wireless high-speed communication solution at Automate event

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The Fraunhofer Institute will showcase a contactless and fiber-free high-speed optical communication solution at the Automate Show.

Instead of radio frequency, the solution uses light to transfer data wirelessly.

Automate 2019 is scheduled to be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from 8-11 April.  [Read more…] about Fraunhofer to showcase wireless high-speed communication solution at Automate event

Heilind supplies more than 9,000 Heyco products

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Industrial components distributor Heilind now supplies the product portfolio of Heyco Products, one of the leading manufacturers in the area of cable management and electromechanical components made of plastic and metal.

Heyco Products offer more than 9,000 items including cable fasteners, grommets, strain reliefs, blind hole plugs, bushings, PCB spacers, LED spacers and distance bolts.

All major products in the portfolio are delivered from stock with no minimum order quantities.  [Read more…] about Heilind supplies more than 9,000 Heyco products

ATI Industrial Automation launches new Compliant Deburring Blade

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ATI Industrial Automation has introduced a new Compliant Deburring Blade, its latest and most versatile deburring tool.

The pneumatically-controlled, articulated design gives users the ability to tune the contact force to accommodate specific applications by changing the air pressure.

The CDB excels in light and medium deburring, chamfering, and scraping operations on materials such as plastic, aluminum, steel, and brass.  [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation launches new Compliant Deburring Blade

EPHJ: High-precision industry meets in Geneva

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The annual EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Show is one of a kind, unique, in that it is the only trade fair dedicated to microtechnology.

The event is known worldwide for the quality of the exhibiting companies and for the diversity of innovations presented.

Leading companies in three sectors – watchmaking, jewelry, micro-technologies and medical technology – meet every year in Geneva to confront the market and present their products or services to some 20 000 professionals visitors from five continents.  [Read more…] about EPHJ: High-precision industry meets in Geneva

Osso VR to showcase first virtual reality training module for robotics with Smith & Nephew’s Navio surgical system

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Osso VR, a provider of a virtual reality surgical training platform, has released what it says is a “first-of-its-kind” VR training module for Smith & Nephew’s Navio Surgical System, being demonstrated at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2019 annual meeting from March 12-16.

Handheld robotics and virtual reality are emerging technologies in medicine leading to rapidly advancing changes in areas, such as surgery, to provide repeatable and efficient high-quality outcomes.

Osso VR’s custom virtual training module for the Navio Surgical System, the only robotics platform with handheld technology, is the first application of this type of immersive coaching for a robotics-assisted device.  [Read more…] about Osso VR to showcase first virtual reality training module for robotics with Smith & Nephew’s Navio surgical system

NXP develops new platform to ‘speed up electric vehicle development’

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NXP Semiconductors, one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive semiconductors, has launched a new automotive power control reference platform for an electric vehicle traction motor inverter.

NXP’s new power inverter reference design platform combines its portfolio of automotive microcontrollers, robust power management system basis chips, and new isolated high-voltage IGBT gate drivers with application-specific system enablement software.

The company says this will help carmakers deliver the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles with “greater speed and less development risk”.  [Read more…] about NXP develops new platform to ‘speed up electric vehicle development’