Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Robotic inspection: Nasa testing new system for checking and fixing aircraft fuselages

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Inspecting the outer shell of an aeroplane sounds so mind-numbingly boring that it absolutely must be one of those so-called “3D” – dirty, dull and dangerous – jobs that robots are supposed to save us from. 

The absolute tedium of closely inspecting every square centimetre of the surface area of, for example, a typical Boeing 747 – which is about 22,000 square feet – would inevitably mean that some tiny imperfections can be missed by human eyes.

But could robots do the job any better?  [Read more…] about Robotic inspection: Nasa testing new system for checking and fixing aircraft fuselages

Japanese industrial robot sales increase by 34 per cent on strong demand from China

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The Chinese government may be encouraging domestic companies to develop more advanced technologies, but for now, the country’s manufacturers are turning to established industrial robot manufacturers abroad.

Japan, being one of the leading industrial robot manufacturing nations in the world, is expecting a 10 per cent increase in orders over the course of this year, according to figures released by the Japan Robot Association.

Jara’s latest data covers the period from October to December 2017, and show that the country’s industrial robot makers produced a total of 53,918 units, valued at about $1.7 billion.  [Read more…] about Japanese industrial robot sales increase by 34 per cent on strong demand from China

Return of the mag

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Sensor Readings magazine is back as a monthly publication, free to subscribers of Robotics and Automation News.

In this taster issue, we have included some of the most popular features from the website in recent weeks.

Future issues will include content exclusive to the magazine as well as articles that will appear in the magazine first and then subsequently on the website.

So, as always, we thank you for your support in bringing us this far, and with your continued backing, we aim to print some editions of the magazine by the end of the year.

And if you haven’t already subscribed, please do so – especially now when we’re giving away tickets to Hannover Messe worth $100 each when you subscribe to either our $10 a month package or our $100 a year package.

Enjoy reading, and let us know if you would like to see specific features in the magazine, and, of course, if you would like to support us through advertising your business.

Xilinx launches new processor for autonomous driving systems

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Xilinx has launched the automotive qualified Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC family, enabling development of safety-critical advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving systems.

The Xilinx Automotive XA Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC family is qualified according to AEC-Q100 test specifications with full ISO 26262 ASIL-C level certification.

The product integrates a feature-rich 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 and dual-core ARM Cortex-R5 based processing system (PS) and Xilinx programmable logic (PL) UltraScale architecture in a single device.  [Read more…] about Xilinx launches new processor for autonomous driving systems

Kollmorgen expands single-cable connection technology to S700 servo drive range

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Kollmorgen has expanded its single-cable connection technology to S700 servo drive range.

The company says this offers “sophisticated servo control now with easier integration”.

The motion specialist’s innovative single-cable technology is now available for its ServoStar series S700 servo controllers.  [Read more…] about Kollmorgen expands single-cable connection technology to S700 servo drive range

Balluff unveils ‘flexible, self-adhesive’ capacitive sensor head

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Balluff has unveiled a self-adhesive, capacitive sensor head with IP 64 protection for non-contact, continuous level detection on non-conductive vessel or pipe outer walls made of glass, plastic or ceramic.

The flexible sensor head with a maximum detection range of up to 850 mm in length can be individually trimmed to length (minimum 108 mm) and easily attached to container walls without additional accessories using the integrated adhesive surface.

For polar, aqueous media the wall thickness may be between 2 and 6 mm, or up to 2 mm for non-conductive media such as oil or bulk materials.  [Read more…] about Balluff unveils ‘flexible, self-adhesive’ capacitive sensor head

Wachendorff launches compact encoder offering high-speed motion synchronisation for PLCs

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As a recent addition to its ProfiNet IRT protocol variants, Wachendorff’s WDGA 58F absolute magnetic encoder features a minimum bus cycle time of 125 μs which is eminently suited to tightly synchronised multi-axis motion control on the fastest PLCs.

Available in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor, the 58 mm diameter encoder is also reckoned to be the world’s smallest ProfiNet encoder with a nominal length of only 46.5 mm.

Wachendorff’s WDGA series absolute encoders, are characterised by their single- plus multi-turn functionality and the unique patented magnetic scanning principle that offers exceptionally high-precision position and velocity measurement with extreme durability and long life – without the use of wear-prone gears or batteries.  [Read more…] about Wachendorff launches compact encoder offering high-speed motion synchronisation for PLCs

How to become a G-Code master with a complete list of G-Codes

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By Joseph Zulick, MRO Electric

As a generic name for a plain-text language in which CNC machine are able to understand, G-Codes are important to understand in the manufacturing, automation and engineering spaces.

You can enter a G-Code manually if you wish, but you do not have to because of the CAD/CAM software’ abilities along with the machine controller.

G-Codes are not necessarily readable by humans, but it’s possible to look through the file and determine what is generally occurring.  [Read more…] about How to become a G-Code master with a complete list of G-Codes

Tickets to Hannover Messe

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Subscribe and claim your $100 complimentary entrance ticket to the whole week-long event

Robotics and Automation News has been selected as a media partner for the world’s leading industrial trade fair, Hannover Messe. 

This is the second year in a row our website has been chosen as a media partner, and to celebrate, we are giving away full-week entrance tickets to the event worth almost $100 to all existing and new subscribers.

Existing subscribers will be notified by email within the next few days and do not need to create a new subscription.

New subscribers will also be notified by email within 24 hours of signing up to our monthly or yearly packages.

Instructions on how to claim your ticket, along with the link, will be in the email.

And, as always, we’ll bring you our usual, independent, unbiased coverage of the industrial sector on our completely fair and balanced website.

So, stay tuned.

China’s manufacturing heartland to integrate 20,000 more robots

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Communist Chinese government propaganda mouthpiece Xinhua is reporting that another 20,000 industrial robots will be installed in the country’s manufacturing heartland, Guangdong Province. 

Quoting Guangdong governor, Ma Xingrui, the state news agency says the robots are to be integrated into operations by the end of this year.

The move is part of a drive by the national government to modernise the country’s industrial infrastructure under the “Made in China 2025” policy.  [Read more…] about China’s manufacturing heartland to integrate 20,000 more robots