Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

P4Q ‘increases productivity, improves part quality’ with Rethink’s Sawyer industrial robot

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Rethink Robotics’ collaborative robot Sawyer is being utilised by Spanish electronics manufacturer to achieve higher levels of consistency

P4Q, a Spanish manufacturer of electronic products and systems, says it has increased production throughput by 25 percent by deploying smart, adaptable automation on the factory floor.

Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer is testing printed circuit boards and driving improvements in process consistency that are resulting in better part quality and overall production output, says the company.

P4Q has been looking to automate more of its factory for many years to improve efficiency and consistency, but traditional caged robots were unappealing due to high costs and employee safety concerns.  [Read more…] about P4Q ‘increases productivity, improves part quality’ with Rethink’s Sawyer industrial robot

Tesla finding manufacturing tough as it struggles with too many orders

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The new Model 3 saloon car from Tesla is way too popular for its own good and the company is struggling to cope with the number of orders it’s being asked to deliver. 

Despite the “bottlenecks” in manufacturing, the electric carmaker says it is on course to sell 100,000 vehicles this year for the first time in its 14-year history.

And if things go to CEO Elon Musk’s forecasts, Tesla will be manufacturing 500,000 vehicles a year by the end of next year, according to Business Insider.  [Read more…] about Tesla finding manufacturing tough as it struggles with too many orders

RIA partners with OSHA and NIOSH to create unpronounceable robot group

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The Robotics Industries Association is partnering with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to create a new standards body for robotics and other relevant industries. 

RIA is the main industrial robotics association in the US and was established in 1974.

OSHA and NIOSH are both government agencies – OSHA is under the Department of Labour, and NIOSH is under the Department of Health and Human Services.  [Read more…] about RIA partners with OSHA and NIOSH to create unpronounceable robot group

Japanese companies prepare to bring forward new generation of humanoid collaborative robots capable of a variety of industrial work

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There was a time when Japanese electronics companies were the Apples and Googles of the world, with everyone buying their products and talking about them in the media.

Many of those same formerly pre-eminent names today play second fiddle to the Silicon Valley tech giants.

But while they may not be discussed as much as they were in the past – and their products not as ubiquitous in the consumer market – Japanese companies still loom large in the industrial sector.  [Read more…] about Japanese companies prepare to bring forward new generation of humanoid collaborative robots capable of a variety of industrial work

Kinova Robotics launches beta version of Movo mobile robot

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Kinova Robotics is set to offer consumers a new product line with the beta launch of Movo, a mobile manipulation platform designed to aid in the research and experimentation of mobile robotics.

Movo has been fully designed and developed using the Robot Operating System, along with MoveIt! and Gazebo, and offers an application programming interface that will provide researchers the most advanced functionality in all areas of robotics.

The new, feature-rich platform benefits from the low weight, low energy demand and compactness of Kinova’s world-renowned manipulators, combined with a powerful omnidirectional mobile system and fully integrated navigational system.  [Read more…] about Kinova Robotics launches beta version of Movo mobile robot

German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected

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The German robotics and automation industry is growing at a faster rate than previously forecast, according to the VDMA, and will break records. 

The sector will reach €14 billion ($16.4 billion) annually for the first time, says the VDMA.

The VDMA is the German industrial association, said to be the largest in Europe, with more than 3,200 member companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

The organisation has a section called VDMA Robotics + Automation, a specialist association with more than 270 members, which includes suppliers of components and systems from the areas of robotics, integrated assembly solutions, and industrial image processing.  [Read more…] about German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected

Fanuc selects Greenerd as tier 1 robot integrator

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Fanuc has selected Greenerd as a tier 1 industrial robot integrator, according to Modern Machine Shop. 

Greenerd specialises in supplying hydraulic press technology.

The company is planning to showcase its latest innovations at the FabTech industry event this year.  [Read more…] about Fanuc selects Greenerd as tier 1 robot integrator

Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers

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Yaskawa Motoman has launched new software for robots and programmable logic controllers – the computing appliances connected to industrial robots.

The MLX300 software option is the newest generation of integration for Yaskawa robots and PLCs.

The MLX300 enables operators to control and program Yaskawa robots in a standard PLC programming environment, eliminating the need to learn a specific robot programming language, says the company.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers

Yaskawa partners with CommScope on advanced manufacturing technology centre in Belgium

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CommScope, a provider of infrastructure solutions for communications networks, has opened a new advanced manufacturing technology centre at its Kessel Lo, Belgium site.

The centre will showcase a newly formed partnership with Yaskawa, one of the world’s largest industrial robot suppliers, to determine the feasibility of adding robot technology and greater automation to manufacturing processes.

The new Advanced Manufacturing Technology centre enables CommScope to develop automated manufacturing competencies and technology in a laboratory setting through cross-functional collaboration and partnerships with universities, knowledge partners and suppliers.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa partners with CommScope on advanced manufacturing technology centre in Belgium

Panasonic opens arc and laser welding technical centers in Michigan and Ohio

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Panasonic has opened technical centers for arc and laser welding technologies in Farmington Hills, Michigan and Hilliard, near Columbus, Ohio.

Opening ceremonies were recently held in both locations for over 50 executives from the automotive and related industries.

Attendees experienced hands-on technology demonstrations, learned about future new product and technology introductions, and attended welding technology seminars during the course of the celebratory events.  [Read more…] about Panasonic opens arc and laser welding technical centers in Michigan and Ohio