Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor

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Magna has been awarded a grant by the US Department of Energy to develop and “auto-qualify” advanced electric motor technologies for next-generation vehicle propulsion systems.

In partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Magna is applying its powertrain, electronics and full-vehicle expertise to deliver an automotive-grade, high-performance electric motor that aims to achieve increased power density and reduced cost compared to current e-motors.

The project objective is to develop an electric motor that is half the cost and eight times the power density, while delivering 125 kW of peak power – similar to packing a gallon of milk into a pint-size container. [Read more…] about Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor

Dover and Burke Porter partner to develop ‘first-ever’ automated ADAS calibration system

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Superlarge diversified global manufacturer Dover Corporation and Burke Porter Group, a supplier of testing and assembly systems, are partnering to develop “Mosaic”, which they say is the “first-ever” automated calibration system for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

ADAS is the umbrella term referring a number of technologies which give cars and other vehicles certain features that make them more automated or autonomous. Examples include collision avoidance, autonomous braking in emergencies, self-parking, and cruise control.

The specific Dover business unit involved in the partnership is Chief Collision Technology, formerly known as Chief Automotive Technology and part of VSG and Dover. [Read more…] about Dover and Burke Porter partner to develop ‘first-ever’ automated ADAS calibration system

AGCO completes Maryland assembly, distribution, training facility

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AGCO Corporation, a worldwide distributor and manufacturer of agricultural equipment, has completed expansion of its Edgewood, Maryland assembly and distribution facility.

The facility will be used to build Fendt high horsepower tractors and Massey Ferguson compact and utility tractors and equipment.

The location also now includes a training center to provide dealers in the region a more cost-effective, time-efficient location for product and service training. [Read more…] about AGCO completes Maryland assembly, distribution, training facility

SICK launches sensors that ‘clean up signal response in six axes’

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SICK has launched its first dynamic 6-axis inclination sensors – the TMS88 D and TMM88 D. It says the new sensors “achieve unrivalled measurement precision and rapid response times”.

The company adds that the sensors will “aid the real-time safe and efficient operation of outdoor vehicles and machinery, such as mobile cranes, construction and agricultural machinery, or municipal vehicles”.

The SICK TMS88 Dynamic and TMM88 Dynamic inclination sensors use inbuilt gyroscope compensation and an intelligent “sensor fusion” algorithm to clean up signal interference caused by sideways slews, shocks and vibrations. [Read more…] about SICK launches sensors that ‘clean up signal response in six axes’

Festo to distribute Magswitch magnetic gripping and clamping solutions

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Festo is now offering Magswitch switchable magnetic gripping and clamping solutions to automotive and original equipment manufacturers through a new distribution agreement.

Magswitch says its automation solutions are “designed to last the life of a production line”, and says its equipment can lower energy costs by as much as 90 per cent.

It also says that throughput can be increased by up to 30 per cent, and capital costs reduced as much as 25 per cent compared to systems using vacuum cups and pneumatic and electric grippers or clamps. [Read more…] about Festo to distribute Magswitch magnetic gripping and clamping solutions

Kassow Robots adds three ports to its collaborative robots for end of arm tools

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Kassow Robots, a startup which launched a new collaborative robot last year, has adding ports into its machines to provide integration with end-of-arm tools.

The Danish robot manufacturer, which develops and produces its 7-axis collaborative robots in Copenhagen, says the ports provide “easy connection of end-of-arm tool directly to a Kassow Robot without cable on the outside of the robot”.

Dieter Pletscher, head of sales at Kassow Robots, says: “All our cobots have three ports with various I/Os and power supply signals. Two of the ports are for digital or analogue input/output. [Read more…] about Kassow Robots adds three ports to its collaborative robots for end of arm tools

FLIR Systems partners with Veoneer to introduce ‘first’ thermal sensor-equipped production self-driving car with leading automaker

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FLIR says automaker to become the industry’s ‘first of many’ to feature thermal sensing to improve safety of autonomous vehicles

FLIR Systems says its Boson-based thermal sensing technology has been selected by Veoneer, a tier-one automotive supplier, for its “Level 4” autonomous vehicle production contract with a top global automaker, planned for 2021. 

FLIR says the Veoneer system will be “the first in the industry” to include multiple thermal sensing cameras that provide both narrow and wide field-of-view capabilities to enhance the safety of self-driving vehicles. [Read more…] about FLIR Systems partners with Veoneer to introduce ‘first’ thermal sensor-equipped production self-driving car with leading automaker

Invertek Drives boosts product testing with collaborative robots

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Invertek Drives, a designer and manufacturer of variable frequency drives (VFDs), has incorporated two Universal Robots UR5 collaborative robots into the testing phase of its production line.

Earlier this year, Invertek Drives opened the doors to its new 5,500 square metre global manufacturing and distribution facility in Welshpool, UK, enabling production of up to 400,000 VFDs a year.

Its VFDs are used to control electric motors in a variety of industrial, commercial and energy-saving applications, exporting to more than 80 countries. [Read more…] about Invertek Drives boosts product testing with collaborative robots

ZVerse partners with 3D Systems to provide more access to expertise

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ZVerse, the developer of a CAD as a Service platform for digital manufacturing, is partnering with 3D Systems, a provider of parts manufacturing services.

The strategic alignment will provide 3D Systems’ customers with access to ZVerse’s network of certified designers who can lend their expertise to optimize file formats – facilitating desired final parts.

Theseservicesincludeeverythingfromdesignmodificationstorevisingfileformats to ensure the final part matches the customer’s requirements. [Read more…] about ZVerse partners with 3D Systems to provide more access to expertise

SoftBank and ICE Robotics launch Whiz commercial autonomous vacuum sweeper

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SoftBank Robotics America and ICE Robotics have launched an autonomous vacuum cleaner called Whiz.

The initial launch is in North American, and Whiz is described as a “commercial-grade autonomous vacuum sweeper”.

The machine has been unveiled at the ongoing ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas, Nevada. [Read more…] about SoftBank and ICE Robotics launch Whiz commercial autonomous vacuum sweeper