Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Braking resistors that will not break

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cressall braking resistors

David Atkins, projects director at Cressall Resistors, explains why design is essential not only in art, but also in industry, especially when designing equipment such as power resistors for demanding environments like oil and gas

One of the most popular works of Renaissance sculpture is Michelangelo’s David, a piece that has become synonymous with human strength and beauty.

Despite its seemingly perfect proportions, a basic design flaw of the statue has recently been brought to light.

Recurring micro-fractures in the ankles might cause the statue to collapse under its own weight.  [Read more…] about Braking resistors that will not break

Omron launches website to promote AI-equipped mobile robots

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Omron has unveiled a promotional website for the artificial intelligence-equipped autonomous vehicles for logistics. 

The Omron Mobile Robot LD Series is a family of what the company calls “autonomous intelligent vehicles”, or AIVs, which it says is a “significant step towards achieving human-machine harmony in manufacturing”.

Since the LD Series was announced in October last year, customers from a number of industries, ranging from automotive and electronics to foods and pharmaceuticals, have begun deploying the mobile robots in their manufacturing facilities.  [Read more…] about Omron launches website to promote AI-equipped mobile robots

General Motors and Honda to jointly develop hydrogen fuel cell for autonomous vehicles

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By Naomi Tajitsu and Paul Lienert, Reuters

Honda and General Motors will jointly produce pollution-free hydrogen fuel cell power systems in the United States from around 2020, despite President Donald Trump’s promises to dismantle US environmental regulations intended to spur green car demand.

At a briefing in Detroit, GM executive Mark Reuss said the fuel cells could be used in autonomous vehicles, as well by ride-sharing companies, such as GM affiliate Lyft. He also said fuel cells could have aerospace and military applications.

The companies on Monday said they will invest $85 million to add a production line at a GM battery plant in Brownstown, Michigan, and create 100 jobs. The fuel cell production line will be partly automated and is designed to be quickly scaled up if demand warrants. [Read more…] about General Motors and Honda to jointly develop hydrogen fuel cell for autonomous vehicles

Adding value to product lifecycle management for the small and medium enterprise

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Bob Hillier, managing director of product lifecycle management expert at Design Rule, explains why working with PLM value added resellers  allows small and medium sized companies to get the most from their software

In 1963, children’s author Leo Lionni published his bestselling book, Swimmy. In this classic book, a school of smaller fish team up and swim as one, to avoid being eaten by the larger creatures.

The story sums up the challenges faced by small and medium sized enterprises, especially when it comes to product development.

There are numerous advantages of working with small businesses, due to their agility and flexibility.  [Read more…] about Adding value to product lifecycle management for the small and medium enterprise

US President Donald Trump pressures automakers to increase production in the US

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By David Shepardson and Roberta Rampton, Reuters

US President Donald Trump pushed the chief executives of General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler to increase production in the United States and boost American employment.

Trump opened a meeting with GM CEO Mary Barra, Ford CEO Mark Fields and Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne at the White House by saying he wants to see new auto plants built in the United States.

The new Republican president vowed to cut regulations and taxes to make it more attractive for businesses to operate in the United States. He promised frequently during his election campaign to be a job-creating president and stressed that message in his inaugural speech last Friday.  [Read more…] about US President Donald Trump pressures automakers to increase production in the US

Thinking about the future? Top tips for a career in robotics

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Precision gearing specialist Harmonic Drive UK has released a one-page guide giving advice for those interested in a career in robotics.

The guide details the different routes that people can take to work in the sector, routes that depart from traditional robot manufacturing.

Given the engineering skills shortage, there are many jobs available in various areas of the robotics industry.  [Read more…] about Thinking about the future? Top tips for a career in robotics

Akasol wins ‘major contract’ to supply lithium-ion battery systems for new e-buses

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akasol kvb e-bus
Sustainable passenger transportation without environmentally damaging emissions: one of eight battery-powered articulated buses with Akasol battery systems operating as part of Cologne’s public transportation network. (Photo: Koelner Verkehrsbetriebe)

Akasol says it has agreed a deal with “an internationally operating commercial vehicle manufacturer based in northern Europe” for the serial production of lithium-ion battery systems for its entire fleet of e-buses. 

Akasol claims the contract with the original equipment manufacturer is worth “hundreds of millions of euros” and lasts until 2023, and outlines a close, long-term partnership between both companies and involves the supply of up to 4,500 battery systems.

Sven Schulz, CEO of Akasol, says: “Thanks to our technological expertise and nearly 30 years of experience in the field of traction battery systems for the automotive industry, we made an impressive bid and were able to set ourselves apart from the competition.”  [Read more…] about Akasol wins ‘major contract’ to supply lithium-ion battery systems for new e-buses

Hannover Messe: Smart materials paving the way to 3D printing and to the ‘microfactory’

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3d printed supercar

Get your complimentary ticket to Hannover Messe 2017

There may or may not be slight differences between what’s called “3D printing” and “additive manufacturing”, but essentially both are advanced techniques that could spell the end of assembly lines as we know them. 

It’s a widely known historic fact that giant car companies pioneered what we now known as the assembly line, where a product – such as a car or any other complex item – would move along production line, where different workers and teams of workers would do their jobs and eventually a finished product would be the result.

This process, however, is now being reconsidered in an age where customers are asking for increaing amounts of customisation and new technologies such as 3D printing and additive manufacturing are making this customisation possible.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe: Smart materials paving the way to 3D printing and to the ‘microfactory’

Igus launches ‘extremely compact rotation module’ for tight spaces

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igus compact rotational module

System guides energy, data and media safely, without interruption for rotational movements up to 360 degrees, says company

Motion plastics specialist igus has developed an extremely compact rotation module, which revolves around its own axis, even in confined spaces.

As with all rotary energy chain systems from igus, the module can be used to guide different types of media – power, signals, data, fibre-optic, pneumatic or fluids – in parallel without interruption.

Inside the module, cables and hoses are routed together without interruption, thus eliminating the need for expensive and complex rotary unions.  [Read more…] about Igus launches ‘extremely compact rotation module’ for tight spaces

Energy expert Idec joins Copa-Data partner community

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wind turbines

Idec Technical Services, a specialist in the design and installation of high voltage protection and control systems integration, has joined the Copa-Data Partner Community, a worldwide network of certified specialists in Copa-Data’s software, zenon.

As a new member of the Copa-Data Partner Community, Idec will have access to a range of knowledge exchange initiatives provided by Copa-Data with the aim of improving the ergonomics and productivity of partners’ automation projects.  [Read more…] about Energy expert Idec joins Copa-Data partner community