Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Softing to showcase solutions for digital data exchange in networked production

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Softing is planning to showcase its latest products and solutions for digital data exchange in networked production at this year’s SPS IPC Drives event.

Softing says it wants to present itself as a “competent partner for the realization of networked automation”.

The company says it wants to close the gaps between operation technology and information technology, and create the conditions for “seamless exchange of digital data in Industry 4.0 applications”.  [Read more…] about Softing to showcase solutions for digital data exchange in networked production

Pepperl+Fuchs launches device for precise detection of absolute position of actuators

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Pepperl+Fuchs has launched a device for the precise detection of the position of actuators. 

The new PMI F90 inductive positioning system can “precisely detect the absolute position of one actuator as well as the distance between two”, says Pepperl+Fuchs.

The company says the system has “comprehensive communication functionality and is equipped for Industry 4.0 applications”, through IO-Link technology.  [Read more…] about Pepperl+Fuchs launches device for precise detection of absolute position of actuators

HMS integrates support for OPC UA and MQTT into its Anybus CompactCom networking solutions

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HMS Industrial Networks has integrated support for the IoT protocols OPC UA and MQTT within its Anybus CompactCom range of embedded networking solutions. 

HMS says that, with OPC UA and MQTT in the portfolio, device and machine manufacturers who use CompactCom are offered “a straight-forward path to providing secure data to the IIoT factories of tomorrow – already today”.

To achieve the vision of Industrial Internet of Things, device and machine manufacturers are required not only to connect their hardware to different industrial networks on operational technology, but also to provide data to IT systems and IoT software.  [Read more…] about HMS integrates support for OPC UA and MQTT into its Anybus CompactCom networking solutions

HRG Robotics shows off its ‘smarter solutions’ at China International Industry Fair

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HIT Robot Group, one of China’s leading manufacturers of robots, has been showcasing its four feature products at the recent China International Industry Fair in Shanghai.

HRG Robotics has rolled out a wide variety of industrial robotics services and showcased its top products from HRG’s diversified portfolio, including industrial robotic core components, industrial robots, smart robotics solutions and industrial robotics educational systems.

Zhu Lei, vice president of HRG Robotics, says: “China is a huge market for industrial robots and has great potential. We’ll keep pushing forward the growth of the industry, and hope to cooperate with more international partners.”  [Read more…] about HRG Robotics shows off its ‘smarter solutions’ at China International Industry Fair

Solar power industry using robotics and automation to achieve productivity gains

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The solar energy sector is seeing many advances both in the products it makes and in the way they are made. 

JinkoSolar, which claims to be the world’s largest solar photovoltaics manufacturer, says it has set a new record for solar cell efficiency.

And it has achieved this through “new applications of cutting-edge technology such as IoT devices, intelligent mobile devices, and mobile robots to its manufacturing process”.  [Read more…] about Solar power industry using robotics and automation to achieve productivity gains

Robots and artificial intelligence are coming soon to your work, home, and cars

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Article contributed by John Hawthorne, Industrial Quick Search Directory

We are becoming more accustomed to jaw-dropping video game technology, Amazon’s Alexa speakers, and nifty Android and iOS apps that seem to let us do just about anything.

While commercial technology continues to make leaps and bounds each year, what role does artificial intelligence play in all this, and how will AI and robots become part of our lives in the near future?

The following is an overview of several way that AI and robots are helping us through algorithms and physical functioning at work, in our homes, and in the way we move around.   [Read more…] about Robots and artificial intelligence are coming soon to your work, home, and cars

Enabling Industry 4.0: Baumüller at SPS IPC Drives 2017

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Industrial automation specialist Baumüller is presenting its exhibits for its main theme “Enabling Industry 4.0” at SPS IPC Drives in hall 1 at booth 560 from November 28 to 30, 2017.

The trade fair visitors will be able to see how Baumüller makes the smart digitization and networking of machines and systems possible for its customers with intelligent components and solutions, creating the connections and interfaces for Industry 4.0.

At the trade fair stand, Baumüller will show how Industry 4.0 generates added benefits through increased efficiency for the mechanical engineer in every phase of the value added chain.  [Read more…] about Enabling Industry 4.0: Baumüller at SPS IPC Drives 2017

Material handling: An overview of a fast-moving market

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Material handling refers to the movement of items within relatively small spaces, such as a warehouse. 

In that sense, it’s different from logistics, which refers to movement of goods over longer distances, from city to city or across countries and continents.

But material handling falls within logistics, obviously, and can sometimes be categorised within intralogistics – as in, movement of goods within a company’s network of warehouses and manufacturing facilities.  [Read more…] about Material handling: An overview of a fast-moving market

Robotics and automation reshaping Thailand’s economy, as it looks to sell more industrial robots

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Asian country’s government-backed investment organisation talks up ‘Thailand 4.0’, highlighting the industrial robot manufacturing sector, where sales are forecast to increase by 133 per cent from 2,131 units in 2013 to 7,500 units in 2018 – and it’s offering huge tax breaks to achieve it 

Thailand has been doing well as a result of globalisation, but with increasing attention to, and investment in robotics, the country is looking to further accelerate its development. 

Authorities in the country have launched something they call “Thailand 4.0” – based on Industry 4.0 – which essentially refers to the greater levels of internet connectivity in the industrial sector.

And even if the country’s industrial sector has been doing well, greater levels of connectivity would elevate operations to a higher level, or create value, as the authorities see it.  [Read more…] about Robotics and automation reshaping Thailand’s economy, as it looks to sell more industrial robots

Luxembourg ‘leading the way’ towards the fourth industrial revolution

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The tiny country of Luxembourg is claimed to be “leading the way towards the fourth industrial revolution”.

Luxembourg may have one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world but it’s more a city than a country.

It has a landmass of about 2,500 square kilometres and a population of just over half a million.  [Read more…] about Luxembourg ‘leading the way’ towards the fourth industrial revolution