Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Graphene: A primer on the miracle material

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Graphene is sometimes described as being two-dimensional, or 2D, which is probably more a reflection of the enthusiasm people feel about the material rather than a statement of fact since graphene is actually one atom thick. 

It may only be one single atom, but it’s still there, which means that graphene is, in fact, three-dimensional.

Another interesting thing about graphene is that the naturally occurring composite mineral it’s extracted from – graphite – has been in use for thousands of years in such things as ceramic paints, and it’s been used in pencils for decades. But only now has graphene been extracted from it and suggested for a wide array of applications.  [Read more…] about Graphene: A primer on the miracle material

An introduction to product design and development for manufacturing

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Many people have ideas, but actually producing something – sketch, prototype, then final product – from those ideas, and having it mass-manufactured, is a hugely complex, time-consuming and expensive process.

If that product is an electronic and semiconductor technology-based hardware-and-software product, which is increasingly in demand these days, then that’s an even higher level of complexity and stress.

This article tries to provide a starting point, or introduction, for those interested in industrial design or product development, and maybe have ideas for products and want to know how to start the process of getting them manufactured.  [Read more…] about An introduction to product design and development for manufacturing

ABB to showcase ‘broad range’ of welding technologies at FabTech 2017

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ABB says it will feature “a broad range of advanced robotic welding technology designed to enhance safety, quality and productivity” at FabTech 2017

Metal Fabricators of all sizes are adopting robotic automation to maximize throughput, reduce costs and remove people from repetitive tasks and challenging environments.

The exhibit highlights the elevated level of collaboration, digitalization and simplification unique to ABB, which helps achieve these goals while providing fabricators the flexibility to efficiently adapt production as manufacturing continues to trend from mass production to mass customization.

Collaboration comes in the form of YuMi, ABB’s dual-arm collaborative robot that can operate very closely with humans due to its “inherently safe construction”, according to ABB, and is specifically designed to meet the flexible and agile production needs of small parts assembly and material handling applications.  [Read more…] about ABB to showcase ‘broad range’ of welding technologies at FabTech 2017

Chinese manufacturer claims ‘first’ fully automated production line for a type of solar cell

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A Chinese manufacturer called Tongwei has opened a factory which features what is claimed to be the “world’s first” unmanned, fully automated monocrystalline solar cell production line. 

This is according to a report on PV-Tech.org, which says Tongwei is testing the fully automated production system with a view to rolling it out across all its operations.

The company currently has the capacity to produce monocrystalline cell capacity of around 3.4 gigawatts, with an additional 2 GW multicrystalline solar cell capacity.  [Read more…] about Chinese manufacturer claims ‘first’ fully automated production line for a type of solar cell

GE Digital expands industrial internet partnership with Microsoft

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GE Digital has expanded its industrial internet partnership with Microsoft, according to Reuters. 

The two companies had already been working together on further developing GE Digital’s Predix platform.

Manufacturers tend to connect sensors to their machines and then connect the sensors to Predix.  [Read more…] about GE Digital expands industrial internet partnership with Microsoft

Robotics-related investment fund reaches $1.5 billion worth of assets under management

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A robotics- and automation-related investment fund says it now has $1.5 billion under management.

The Robo Global Robotics & Automation exchange-traded fund (ROBO) is celebrating four years on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Robo Global is said to be the first robotics-related investment fund, and says so far this year, it has delivered a total return of 37.73 percent.  [Read more…] about Robotics-related investment fund reaches $1.5 billion worth of assets under management

Top Chinese robot maker Siasun reports revenue increase of 82 per cent

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Siasun Robot & Automation Company, which claims it is China’s leading industrial robot manufacturer, has reported a revenue increase of 82 per cent for the period from July to September, compared with the same period last year. 

Siasun says in its filing that the company’s third-quarter revenue “surged this year as it benefited from China’s industrial rally”.

ShanghaiDaily.com, which is reporting the story, adds that Siasun generated annual growth of 50 per cent in new orders of its industrial robots and for its logistics offerings since December last year.  [Read more…] about Top Chinese robot maker Siasun reports revenue increase of 82 per cent

Auto companies still moving to Mexico despite Nafta uncertainty

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Mexico used to be an attractive place to invest in building manufacturing facilities. It still is. 

The country of 120 million people is still part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which makes importing and exporting to the US easier than it would otherwise be.

And even as US President Donald Trump pushes for a renegotiation of Nafta, manufacturing companies are continuing to choose Mexico as an investment location.  [Read more…] about Auto companies still moving to Mexico despite Nafta uncertainty

Güdel launches ‘pre-configured’ track-based robotic welding solution

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Güdel has launched a pre-configured robot track motion module for arc welding applications, called ArcTrack. 

The company says the new systems delivers “the highest flexibility and reduces lead time by 40 percent”.

Güdel says it has pre-engineered a TrackMotion Floor configuration with an auxiliary shelf to carry welding equipment, large wire spools and torch cleaning and reaming devices with the robot.  [Read more…] about Güdel launches ‘pre-configured’ track-based robotic welding solution

Fanuc claims its new palletising robot is ‘fastest’ in its class

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Fanuc has unveiled a new palletizing robot which it claims is the fastest in its class. 

Fanuc is believed the be the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, and debuted its new robot at Pack Expo a few days ago.

The company says the Fanuc M-410iC/110 is “capable of performing 2040 standard palletizing cycles an hour, making it the fastest palletizing robot in its class”.  [Read more…] about Fanuc claims its new palletising robot is ‘fastest’ in its class