Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

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Using the UR10e, the company says it has eliminated the tedious and physically taxing tests manually conducted by employees

Universal Robots says GÖPEL electronic, a manufacturer of testing and inspection systems for electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, has developed a revolutionary, automated quality control system for its automotive customers using its UR10e cobot.

According to Thomas Schöppe, senior team manager at GÖPEL electronic, the cobot replaces the company’s manual and cumbersome end of line seating test system. He says: “Previously, our employees have to simulate the vehicle-driver interaction.

For example, pressing the seat’s buttons and switches to measure the voltage or current. This process could often result in production errors which proved costly further down the manufacturing line. [Read more…] about GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

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Automation technology is playing a critical role helping safeguard people and processes during the global coronavirus crisis, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

A3 is a US industrial association representing members in robotics, vision and imaging, motion control and motors, artificial intelligence and related automation technologies who are now part of the large ecosystem taking part in the battle against Covid-19.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “These critical automation technologies are keeping people safe, helping develop new medicines and treatments, producing key products people need today, and filling other essential roles. [Read more…] about Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

Kuka secures contract worth ‘millions’ to supply automation technology to manufacture battery packs

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Kuka, one of the world’s largest industrial automation companies, says it has secured a contract “worth millions” in the future-oriented market of electro-mobility.

Kuka says it won the contract for the planning and supply of a fully automated battery pack line. It adds that it is a “major double-digit million euro order”.

Starting 2021, battery systems for fully electric vehicles in the premium segment will be manufactured in this production facility, which will feature at least 50 Kuka robots. [Read more…] about Kuka secures contract worth ‘millions’ to supply automation technology to manufacture battery packs

RE2 Robotics joins PPE Connect PGH to help manufacture face shields

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RE2 Robotics, a Carnegie Mellon spinoff and a provider of robotic mobile manipulator arms, has begun to fabricate face shields for small- and medium-sized clinics in collaboration with PPE Connect PGH and its coalition of local universities and manufacturers.

The goal of PPE Connect PGH is to help healthcare workers on the front line in the fight against Covid-19 to locate sources of existing idle Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Funding for the PPE Connect PGH effort is being provided by the Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation (ACMS) Covid-19 Front Line Relief Fund. [Read more…] about RE2 Robotics joins PPE Connect PGH to help manufacture face shields

ABB launches ‘Wizard’ to make robot programming ‘more intuitive’

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ABB has launched what it calls “Wizard Easy Programming” to make robot programming “more intuitive”. (See video below.)

The company says Easy Programming makes robots easier to install, program and operate without specialized training, reducing barriers for first-time robot-users to implement automation

Wizard easy programming is a graphical programming method designed to enable users to quickly create robot application programs for ABB’s single-arm YuMi collaborative robot, without the need for specialized training. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘Wizard’ to make robot programming ‘more intuitive’

RG Group agrees distribution and integration partnership with AutoGuide Mobile Robots

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RG Group has agreed a distribution and integration partnership with AutoGuide Mobile Robots. 

Rich Freeh, president and CEO of RG Group, headquartered in York, PA, announced the agreement with AutoGuide, a leading supplier of high payload autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

AutoGuide robots are used to improve operational workflows by organizations of all sizes – across a broad spectrum of industries. [Read more…] about RG Group agrees distribution and integration partnership with AutoGuide Mobile Robots

Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

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New Scale Robotics has launched its Q-Span Workstation Kit, the first application kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots and featured on the UR+ platform. (See video below.)

The Q-Span Workstation Kit allows quality teams to automate measurement inspection of small parts. Deployed on a UR3e collaborative robot (cobot), the Q-Span Workstation Kit increases measurement consistency and helps quality teams to achieve gage R&R targets.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Robotics, says: “New Scale Robotics is pleased to be in the vanguard of Universal Robots’ new UR+ application kits for quality inspection processes. [Read more…] about Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

‘Robots are revolutionizing the visual arts’, says RoboDK boss

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“Robots are revolutionizing the visual arts by providing artists with new creative techniques,” says Albert Nubiola, CEO of robot simulation and programming software firm RoboDK.

Nubiola makes his comments as an exhibition of robot-made paintings opens in the prestigious Ben Brown Fine Arts gallery, London.

Conceived by digital arts pioneers Rob and Nick Carter, the ingenious “Dark Factory Portraits” exhibition features an industrial robot arm from Kuka – dubbed “Heidi”, by the artists – that produces fine art portraits of famous artists in acrylics. [Read more…] about ‘Robots are revolutionizing the visual arts’, says RoboDK boss

DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

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DHL Supply Chain is installing 1,000 warehouse robots from Locus Robotics. The world’s largest logistics company will integrate the Locus robots at 10 of its US facilities in 2020.

DHL and Locus Robotics have an ongoing working relationship, but the new initiative significantly expands this partnership.

The companies have signed an “Expanded Multi-Site Services Agreement” outlining the terms. [Read more…] about DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

ROEQ launches cart and other components for MiR250 mobile robot

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Denmark-based robotics company ROEQ has launched three new products simultaneously with the reveal of Mobile Industrial Robots’ new MiR250 mobile robot at one of the world’s largest logistics expos, MODEX 2020.

ROEQ’s new cart, adapter and top module work seamlessly with the MiR250, providing a fully automated workplace flow.

ROEQ says that when MiR launches a new robot, it’s “imperative” that accessories for the robot are immediately available as well. [Read more…] about ROEQ launches cart and other components for MiR250 mobile robot