Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Mai Tao

Geek+ launches smart factory with ‘robots making robots’

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Geek+, a supplier of robotics and AI technologies for warehouses, has launched what it claims is “the world’s first smart factory to use robot arms to make mobile robots”.

Based in Nanjing, the factory uses Geek+’ robots, AI algorithms and other automated solutions to manufacture new Geek+ robots. All of the company’s robots are produced at this factory.

With an increasing demand for customization and limited release products, product cycles are getting shorter and shorter, making flexible production an essential aspect of the manufacturing industry. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches smart factory with ‘robots making robots’

Epson Robots to launch new parts feeding solution at Assembly Show

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Epson Robots will demonstrate its latest robots that benefit a wide variety of parts assembly applications at the upcoming Assembly Show event.

The company will also announce an IntelliFlex Feeding System line expansion with a new feeder size that can accommodate part sizes between 30-150 mm.

In addition, Epson’s Rick Brookshire will lead a discussion on Introduction to Parts Feeding: Parts Singulation for Robotic Automation. [Read more…] about Epson Robots to launch new parts feeding solution at Assembly Show

Universal Robots ‘future-proofs’ production processes at Vietnamese manufacturer with collaborative robots

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Universal Robots has helped Vietnam-based Vinacomin Motor Industry Joint Stock Company “future-proof” its production processes with collaborative robots.

VMIC is a subsidiary of the Vinacomin Group, a state-owned coal and mining giant.

VMIC, one of the first state-owned manufacturers to deploy cobots, has seen productivity increase two to three times, with improved product quality, leading to a 50 to 60 percent rise in orders. [Read more…] about Universal Robots ‘future-proofs’ production processes at Vietnamese manufacturer with collaborative robots

Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

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Download our new white paper, Smart Factory: Material Handing in the Factory of the Future

The way manufacturers set up their production lines hasn’t fundamentally changed much in decades. For example, automakers use a linear assembly line where the bodies of cars are sometimes suspended above a linear production line and moved along slowly as robots or workers perform various tasks all the way along the line.

This method has been the main method of assembly for around a century, but autonomous mobile robots are now challenging this status quo.

Instead of using what could be described as an ground-based or overhead conveyor to move the cars along the assembly line, autonomous mobile robots could carry them along instead. [Read more…] about Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

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Mitsubishi Electric says it will start construction of a new plant on the premises of its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Automotive India in Gujarat, India.

The company’s new plant, along with one in Manesar, Haryana, will enable MEAI to expand its output of products such as motor-control units for electric power steering, exhaust gas recirculation valves and giant magnet-resistance sensors.

The demand for these components is expected to grow in line with increasing sales of vehicles offering enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in the Indian market. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

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Senseye, the industrial software company, is rolling out its suite of technologies and methodologies in automotive manufacturing facilities in the US.

Senseye’s technology suite, Senseye PdM, is used by global automotive manufacturers to monitor the condition of machinery in real time.

It spots emerging problems with monitored assets and identifies when they are most likely to fail by using machine learning algorithms to analyse data relating to key condition indicators such as vibration, pressure, temperature and torque levels. [Read more…] about Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

RightHand Robotics installs robotic picking solution PalTac

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RightHand Robotics has installed a multi-robot picking solution PalTac, which is said to be Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods.

The US company has also established a new corporate entity in Japan, RightHand Robotics GK.

The subsidiary will enable RightHand to better serve the fast-growing demand for robotic piece-picking in Japan and the rest of Asia Pacific. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics installs robotic picking solution PalTac

Nissan teaches robots to make replacement parts for old cars

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Breakthrough could mean parts for discontinued models become more widely available for customers

Nissan has developed a new way to use robots to make car parts out of sheet steel, a breakthrough that could make replacement parts for discontinued models more widely available for customers.

Nissan hopes to commercialize the proprietary technique, known as dual-sided dieless forming. The technique involves two synchronized robots working from opposite sides of a steel sheet, using diamond-coated tools to gradually shape the steel.

Thanks to its flexible production, short lead times and minimal upfront costs, the new technique could make it commercially viable to produce and sell a wide variety of after-service and replacement parts in small volumes for cars that Nissan no longer makes. [Read more…] about Nissan teaches robots to make replacement parts for old cars

Panasonic’s exoskeleton to be used at Paralympics

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Panasonic, an Official Worldwide Paralympic Partner, says it will be providing its Power Assist Suit – an exoskeleton – for use at World Para Powerlifting events and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The suits will be worn by spotter / loader personnel tasked with moving weights and spotting lifters during the competition.

The suits feature built-in sensors that detect limb movements and motors synchronized to provide wearers with mechanized power for performing strenuous tasks easily and safely. [Read more…] about Panasonic’s exoskeleton to be used at Paralympics

Hitachi delivers ‘world’s fastest’ elevator to skyscraper

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Hitachi has delivered its elevator system to Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, a skyscraper complex building in Guangzhou, China.

The building has the Guinness World Records title as having the world’s fastest elevator. The presentation ceremony for the award of the official certificate was held recently.

This elevator travels with a rated speed of 1,260 metres per minute and connects the ground floor to the hotel lobby on the 95th floor in approximately 42 seconds, over a distance of 440 metres. [Read more…] about Hitachi delivers ‘world’s fastest’ elevator to skyscraper