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Design

VulcanForms raises $355 million to ‘pioneer industrial-scale digital manufacturing infrastructure’

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VulcanForms, an MIT-born company that builds and operates advanced digital manufacturing infrastructure, has raised $355 million and is valued at over $1 billion.

VulcanForms’ investors include Eclipse Ventures, Stata Venture Partners, Fontinalis Partners, D1 Capital Partners, Standard Investments, Atlas Innovate, Boston Seed Capital, Industry Ventures, and the Simkins Family.

The company also revealed its first two digital production facilities, in Devens, MA and Newburyport, MA, capturing the full value chain for precision metal components and assemblies. [Read more…] about VulcanForms raises $355 million to ‘pioneer industrial-scale digital manufacturing infrastructure’

Canadian innovator wins award for robot that does the dirtiest of industrial dirty work

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Nicolas Olmedo is on a mission to keep people safe by sending robots where no human should ever have to go: into the murky, muddy sludge of industrial mine tailing ponds and other hazardous terrains that need to be continually monitored.

His ground-breaking work to develop intelligent robots capable of traversing mud, snow, ice or rock using screw-shaped pontoons has earned Olmedo a prestigious award from Mitacs, a national innovation organization that fosters growth by solving business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.

In recognition of his efforts to advance the robots through his company, Copperstone Technologies, Olmedo – one of three Copperstone co-founders who completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta – was presented the Mitacs Outstanding Entrepreneur Award on June 2 at a ceremony in Montreal, Canada. [Read more…] about Canadian innovator wins award for robot that does the dirtiest of industrial dirty work

EV Safe Charge unveils electric vehicle charging robot

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EV Safe Charge, a provider of flexible electric vehicle charging technology, has unveiled ZiGGY, its mobile EV charging robot.

ZiGGY will bring EV charging to parking facilities, shopping and entertainment centers, hotels, fleet operators and property owners, providing cost-effective charging, overcoming the limitations of stationary EV chargers without the need for costly electrical infrastructure.

In addition, ZiGGY’s digital ad server can generate advertising revenue for the facility and display customized information. [Read more…] about EV Safe Charge unveils electric vehicle charging robot

Palmetto partners with ROBOjuice to automate smoothie-making

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Palmetto Superfoods, a San Francisco-based provider of acai bowl and smoothie drinks, is partnering with ROBOjuice, a fully automated kiosk to create and serve menu items in under 60 seconds.

This technology by ROBOjuice founder Nik Sakhno enables restaurant operators to serve guests faster, and at a lower price, than traditional brick-and-mortar stores, according to the companies.

Under the direction of Palmetto Superfoods CEO Charles Lee, this strategic partnership marks the superfood concept’s introduction into the advanced technology space. [Read more…] about Palmetto partners with ROBOjuice to automate smoothie-making

Nidec develops AC servo motor equipped with Zignear

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Nidec and its subsidiary Nidec Sankyo have jointly developed an AC servo motor (resolution: 17bit) equipped with Zignear, the position detection technology that can be applied to industrial robots and replace encoders.

The motor is intended for application in industrial robots and automated guided vehicles.

An encoder, which is a sensor used to detect the rotation of a brushless DC motor mainly, is essential in adjusting a motor to an intended location, and keeping its rotation consistent. [Read more…] about Nidec develops AC servo motor equipped with Zignear

ASME updates 3D printing standard to streamline production

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Since the 1940s, engineers have used a common design language – a set of definitions, symbols and practices – to draft engineering drawings that can serve as clear manufacturing blueprints or inspection checklists.

While this system still works well for many traditional manufacturing methods, it has not equipped engineers to produce clear and consistent design documents for additive manufacturing, commonly called 3D printing. And the absence of standard methods of communication leaves room for information about 3D-printing designs to be lost in translation.

This week the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) published an updated standard – based in large part on research by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – that includes language specifically for 3D printing. [Read more…] about ASME updates 3D printing standard to streamline production

EAVX unveils autonomous ‘walk-in van’ prototype

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EAVX, a subsidiary of JB Poindexter & Co (JBPCO), and REE Automotive, a provider of electric vehicle platforms and automotive technologies, have unveiled the companies’ new fully electric “walk-in van” prototype will begin customer evaluation this summer.

The class 5 vehicle debuts the EAVX body design powered by REE’s modular P7 platform, making it the first fully drive-by-wire walk-in van on the market.

Evaluations of the new electric walk-in van will take place over several weeks in the Detroit metropolitan area. [Read more…] about EAVX unveils autonomous ‘walk-in van’ prototype

1955 Mercedes-Benz ‘Mona Lisa’ sells for $142 million

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A road-racing car built by Mercedes-Benz in 1955, and kept by them ever since, has been secured by British expert Simon Kidston for a client. Kidston had lobbied the board of the German company for 18 months to consider selling the car “that would never be sold”.

In an invitation-only event held at short notice in conditions of great secrecy at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart on 5 May 2022, Kidston’s bid of €135 million secured the car for an unnamed collector. All monies will be used by Mercedes-Benz to set up a charitable fund for young people.

It had always been assumed that Mercedes would never part with one of the crown jewels of its company collection, considered the “Mona Lisa” of cars because of its rarity, racing pedigree, beauty and unavailability. [Read more…] about 1955 Mercedes-Benz ‘Mona Lisa’ sells for $142 million

How Additive Manufacturing Works and Provides Benefits

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Additive manufacturing is known as 3D printing. Computer-aided programs are used to create 3D objects.

Additive manufacturing is getting popular nowadays. It is a very cost-effective process to design the objects.

Objects are designed with the help of materials such as plastic, ceramic or metal powder. After the design, these printing objects are assembled with heat or a laser beam. [Read more…] about How Additive Manufacturing Works and Provides Benefits

Flexiv unveils ‘powerful’ new development kit for robot users

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Flexiv, which claims to be “the world’s leading general-purpose robotics company”, has released its Robotic Development Kit (RDK).

Describing it as “a leap forward in how robots are programmed and managed”, Flexiv says the RDK provides users with a powerful toolkit that can enhance how their robot works.

The RDK utilises customizable, easy-to-use APIs so users can completely control an adaptive robot and make instant program modifications or integrate external hardware and software effortlessly. [Read more…] about Flexiv unveils ‘powerful’ new development kit for robot users