Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Nasa places order with SSL for robotic spacecraft which will fix satellites in orbit

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New craft will be used to service satellites out in space 

Nasa has placed an order with Space Systems Loral for a robotic spacecraft which will go and fix satellites while in orbit. 

Nasa calls it the Restore-L servicing mission, and it is designed to demonstrate the ability to extend the life of a satellite in Low Earth Orbit. Scheduled launch is in 2020.

The Restore-L spacecraft will use robotics to grasp, refuel and relocate an existing US government satellite already in LEO orbit with the goal of demonstrating tools, technologies and techniques that can be implemented on future government and commercial missions.  [Read more…] about Nasa places order with SSL for robotic spacecraft which will fix satellites in orbit

Bewildered by BYOD? Confused by cloud? Here’s a simple introduction

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palm treo 300

Cloud-based automation software can make BYOD a secure and practical option for businesses. This kind of capability offers a tempting possibility for many businesses, as Howard Williams, marketing director of digital engagement specialist Parker Software, explains 

It might seem like they’ve been around forever, but smartphones have only been ubiquitous for the past five years. 

Before that, devices such as Handspring’s innovative Palm Treo series (pictured above)  were too far ahead of their time to take off.

The same rings true for bring your own device (BYOD), a concept that has existed for years but is only now able to be securely realised.  [Read more…] about Bewildered by BYOD? Confused by cloud? Here’s a simple introduction

Delta launches new PLC series enabling ‘easy and advanced programming’

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Delta Electronics has launched a new series of programmable logic controllers which it claims enables “easy and advanced programming” for sectors such as electronics manufacturing, labeling, food packaging and textile machines.

The AS300 PLC series covers most automation applications at a very attractive price, says Delta.

Delta adds that the AS300 series Compact Non-backplane Mid-range PLC is a “high performance multi-purpose controller designed for all kinds of automated equipment”.  [Read more…] about Delta launches new PLC series enabling ‘easy and advanced programming’

Raspberry Pi partners with RS Components to expand manufacturing operations to Japan

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raspberry pi starter kit

New manufacturing hub in Japan complements UK production operation and expands capacity for famed Raspberry Pi microcomputer

RS Components and the Raspberry Pi Foundation have agreed a deal which will see the latest iteration of the Raspberry Pi 3 credit-card-sized single-board computer being manufactured in Japan under a local contract manufacturing arrangement.

This increase in global production of Raspberry Pi is to serve large and increasing demand for the popular platform in the Asia Pacific region.

William Chong, head of product, supplier, inventory and pricing management, Asia Pacific, RS Components, says: “Existing models of the Raspberry Pi will continue to be manufactured in South Wales, UK, with the dual manufacturing locations in place to cater for future demand growth globally.

“Asia Pacific is a significant growth market for Raspberry Pi, and this new ‘Made in Japan’ element means that we are now geared up for this growth.”  [Read more…] about Raspberry Pi partners with RS Components to expand manufacturing operations to Japan

Growing power: A quick look at the market for electric cars

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Will electric cars become more common than petrol cars? New developments suggest that they just might.

There are 1 billion cars in the world today. And only 1 million of them are fully electric vehicles.

But electric cars are growing in number, as auto giants take more interest. As Pamela Fletcher of GM says: “The electric drive is the ultimate luxury attribute – the absolute smoothness of the driving experience, the quietness… the acceleration.”  [Read more…] about Growing power: A quick look at the market for electric cars

Epic infographic from TradeMachines confirms global takeover by robots

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Infographic: How industrial robots will improve our lives 

Vintage and pre-owned industrial equipment supplier TradeMachines has produced a massive infographic which provides insights about the impacts of industrial robots on our work life. 

Industry 4.0 marks the dawn of a new era for robotics, which are starting to be an integral part of factories, all over the world.

In recent years, robots sales have exponentially increased: in 2015, 1.8 million industrial robots were in operation; that is more than the whole population of Philadelphia.  [Read more…] about Epic infographic from TradeMachines confirms global takeover by robots

Endurance Robots: How to connect a laser to a CNC machine

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endurance robots diodes

George Fomitchev, CEO of Endurance Robots, explains how to connect lasers to CNC machines

Tutorial: Connection of the laser, 1 W and more (1000 mW) to a laser engraver, a CNC machine, a plotter (MakeBlock Plotter XY 2.0, DIY), and a 3D printer (WanHao, Reprap, Ultimaker)

Customers often ask us how to connect a powerful laser to this or that CNC machine or plotter, if the circuit board of the device does not have a separate power supply for a laser, and the current going through the control board is minimal and does not exceed, for example, 0.5 A.

The DIY и MakeBlock engraver board is powered with 12 v and 0.5-1 А current, not more.
1W diode lasers require 1-2 А и 12 v current; 5 W lasers and higher need more than 3 A.

To mount a more powerful laser on a plotter (such as a MakeBlock XY plotter 2.0 KIT) or on a small Neje engraver additional power supply is needed. It is possible to install a separate battery unit and a driver, for instance.  [Read more…] about Endurance Robots: How to connect a laser to a CNC machine

Consumer demand, and the demanding consumer, for the holidays

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thanksgiving

By Thomas R. Cutler

Consumer spending trends suggest this holiday season for retailers and logistics companies will drive an improvement of 15 per cent year-over-year.

With retail sales in the US expanded 0.8 per cent in October after a strong 1 per cent gain in September, the Wall Street Journal’s Josh Mitchell reported, in the best two-month stretch of sales in at least two years.

The brisk spending is a strong sign that the economy is picking up steam, with both wages and employment rising. The expansion, mostly e-commerce, proves that once again online sales are growing at triple the rate of overall retail sales.  [Read more…] about Consumer demand, and the demanding consumer, for the holidays

How to make the most of robotics and automation in your manufacturing business

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brushtec-image

Barry Crackett is a product designer at Brushtec, a brushware manufacturer which has benefitted greatly from embracing robotics and automation. In this article, he explains how your business could also benefit from automation.

The UK is falling far behind much of the industrialised world when it comes to embracing robotics and automation, according to The Telegraph.

There are reportedly 500 robots for every 10,000 manufacturing employees in South Korea, 300 in Germany and 200 in Denmark and Sweden.

In stark contrast the UK has just 71 for every 10,000 workers, which means that our manufacturing industry might struggle to catch up if companies don’t start taking stock of the situation and putting more effort into adapting to survive.  [Read more…] about How to make the most of robotics and automation in your manufacturing business

Huge reboot: What Trump’s aversion to trade blocs could mean for the US robotics, automation and manufacturing industries

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The US automotive manufacturing industry is probably going through some angsty times right now, what with president-elect Donald Trump reiterating his campaign pledge to repeal or at least renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and any other free-trade deal previous administrations have signed up to. 

For a highly globalised industry like the automotive sector, which sources parts from all over the world and may assemble its vehicles in any number of countries simultaneously based on a common platform, this is perhaps one election promise which it would rather not be kept.

However, Trump has already produced a presidential address style video in which he says: “I am going to issue a notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster for our country.

“Instead, we will negotiate fair, bilateral trade deals that bring jobs and industry back onto American shores.”  [Read more…] about Huge reboot: What Trump’s aversion to trade blocs could mean for the US robotics, automation and manufacturing industries

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