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IMTS: This year’s show was the ‘largest ever’, say organisers

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Exponential technology advances, strong economy propel North America’s premier manufacturing show

A rapidly transforming industry sparked IMTS 2018 – the International Manufacturing Technology Show – to set all-time records for show metrics.

The 32nd edition of the show drew a record registration of 129,415 people and featured 1,424,232 sq ft of exhibit space representing 2,123 booths and 2,563 exhibiting companies.

IMTS 2018 ran from September 10-15 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Previous records were 121,764 registrants (IMTS 1998), 1,415,848 sq ft of exhibit space (IMTS 2000), 1,808 booths (IMTS 2016) and 2,407 exhibiting companies (IMTS 2016).  [Read more…] about IMTS: This year’s show was the ‘largest ever’, say organisers

Beyond prototyping: Scaling up to additive manufacturing for production

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By Charlie Wood, manager of computational engineering at Fast Radius

Most readers are likely well-acquainted with additive manufacturing – as a rapid prototyping tool, at least. And while many companies believe and perpetuate the myth that AM is only a prototyping tool, innovators in a range of markets (for example, aerospace, healthcare, consumer goods and more) are already using AM for production-grade manufacturing when design, performance and cost factors align.

Exploring AM as a means of production opens up design and performance possibilities simply not possible with CNC machining, urethane casting or injection molding. This article will cover how organizations can:

  • Identify if there’s a strong business case for switching to AM for your part or product.
  • Leverage design for additive manufacturing (DFAM) principles for a seamless transition from rapid prototyping to rapid production.

[Read more…] about Beyond prototyping: Scaling up to additive manufacturing for production

HRG Robotics to develop logistics robots with Ground Inc

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HIT Robot Group one of China’s leading robot manufacturers, has been showcasing more than 20 industrial robots at the 20th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, a major event for industrial equipment manufacturers in China.

Among the systems on show were “logistics robots”, says HRG.

According to the 2018 Analysis Report On the Robotics Industry In China which analyzed the latest trends and challenges of the robotics industry, China has a booming industrial robot industry with a growing demand for automated logistics solutions.

In 2017, the total volume of logistics robots sold was about 12,900 units, representing 103 percent year-on-year growth. E-commerce giants such as JD.com, Alibaba, and Suning have adopted logistics robots to meet their needs of warehousing and distribution.  [Read more…] about HRG Robotics to develop logistics robots with Ground Inc

Future of Mining Americas 2018 looks at the strategic direction of industry

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Future of Mining Americas connects the mining supply chain around the globe to debate the future of the industry and discover the latest innovations and technologies that are spearheading mine productivity, efficiency and safety.

The conference takes place October 29-30 in Denver with dedicated curated content with focus on the themes of Exploration, Development, Management, Infrastructure and Leadership.  [Read more…] about Future of Mining Americas 2018 looks at the strategic direction of industry

Technical insight: How to improve uptime in industrial robotic systems

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How sensors coupled with Industry 4.0 technology will enable predictive maintenance of industrial robots

Machine maintenance can sometimes seem like one of the black arts, according to experts at Infineon Technologies. A seemingly reliable machine suddenly stops working and, despite everyone’s best efforts, cannot be brought back to life. Along comes a member of the maintenance team and, after some beard-scratching, tinkering inside the machine and a few words of encouragement, the machine springs back to life.

The reality is often more pragmatic. Schedules of work are arranged to optimize uptime and undertake preventative maintenance during periods that have the least impact on manufacturing. However, there are still times when maintenance engineers seemingly ‘sense’ impending failure of their robots and automation equipment.

Could the implementation of sensing technologies, beyond the sensors needed for process monitoring, deliver improvements in predictive maintenance?  [Read more…] about Technical insight: How to improve uptime in industrial robotic systems

Manufacturing is set for ‘the next American industrial revolution’, says ABI

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ABI Research says its study of recent big industrial technology exhibitions “highlights how the manufacturing landscape is set for the next American industrial revolution”.

The consultancy says: “The manufacturing landscape is about to change and change in a big way.”

The debate over whether or not digitization will impact this market has passed, it adds.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing is set for ‘the next American industrial revolution’, says ABI

Industry 4.0 highlights need for dimensional metrology amid competition in discrete manufacturing, says Frost

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Higher automation drives demand for metrology software across verticals, says Frost & Sullivan

The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things has altered the manufacturing landscape, with manufacturers of all sizes looking to automate their systems and adopt modern measurement technologies like dimensional metrology to stay competitive.

The impact of the Mega Trend, Industry 4.0, has been particularly significant in discrete manufacturing industries, where inspection has traditionally been the most prominent phase of any manufacturing process due to compliance requirements.

Europe’s stringent governmental regulations, with regard to product quality and warranty costs, have established it as a huge market for the latest dimensional metrology equipment.  [Read more…] about Industry 4.0 highlights need for dimensional metrology amid competition in discrete manufacturing, says Frost

Heraeus opens advanced precious metals factory in Nanjing, China

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Heraeus Precious Metals opened the world’s most advanced precious metals factory in Nanjing, China.

The 84,000 sq m facility, located in the Nanjing Jiangbei New Material Science and Technology Park, will significantly enhance the company’s capacity to refine and recycle precious metals as well as chemical products, especially Platinum Group Metals (PGM).

The recycling capacity will be increased to 3,000 tons, while its chemical production capacity will be increased three times. By 2020 the new site expects to employ over 200 highly qualified people.

[Read more…] about Heraeus opens advanced precious metals factory in Nanjing, China

Sandvik celebrates 20 years of its giant self-driving mining vehicle with arty film

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Sandvik, the well known Swedish maker of massive mining vehicles, is celebrating 20 years of its driverless “Automated Loader” with an arty film in which it navigates and then melodramatically destroys a glass labyrinth. (See videos below.)

In recent years, self-driving vehicles have become a frequent discussion topic, mainly because there are so many autonomous road-going vehicles being developed by the leading automakers.

But in the mining industry, driverless vehicles have been around a long time and have been busy being productive. The Sandvik loaders are about the size of a truck.  [Read more…] about Sandvik celebrates 20 years of its giant self-driving mining vehicle with arty film

Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment set to reach all-time high

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Almost 80 new semiconductor companies are set to invest more than $220 billion in equipment and facilities, with 2019 set to mark an “all-time spending high”, says industry body.

According to Semi, global fab equipment spending will increase 14 percent this year to $62.8 billion and is expected to rise 7.5 percent, to $67.5 billion, in 2019, marking the fourth consecutive year of spending growth and the highest investment year for fab equipment in the history of the industry.

The figures come from the latest World Fab Forecast Report published by Semi.  [Read more…] about Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment set to reach all-time high

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