Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Epson boss says company’s advanced sensor could change the way industrial robots are used

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Minoru-Usui-the-Global-President-of-Japanese-Company-Seiko-Epson-Corporation

Seiko Epson president Minoru Usui says sensor technology the company has developed could change the way robots are used. 

In an interview with Reuters, Usui says he wants the company to increase its robot sales worldwide by more than five times what they are now.

And the Micro Piezo force sensor could help to achieve at least some of that growth.

Currently, Epson Robots is one of the top 10 industrial robot makers in the world, according to a list compiled by RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com. The company is placed ninth, with 55,000 industrial robots installed worldwide.  [Read more…] about Epson boss says company’s advanced sensor could change the way industrial robots are used

RoboMotion and SoTec demonstrate cloud robotics solution using Kuka Agilus

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Industrial automation integrator RoboMotion and software company SoTec have demonstrated a robotics solution which enables users to control an industrial robot through their smartphones.

The two companies say they have developed an integrated solution which enables “robot control from the cloud”, and used the system to control an industrial robot made by Kuka.

The solution essentially eliminates the need to use a programmable logic controller, or PLC, which is basically a computer attached to robotics and automation hardware systems to program and control their movements.  [Read more…] about RoboMotion and SoTec demonstrate cloud robotics solution using Kuka Agilus

Daimler orders millions of dollars worth of industrial robotics tech from Kuka

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KR FORTEC 360

The robotics division of Kuka has received what the company describes as “a major new order in the double-digit million euro range” from a German premium car manufacturer.

The framework agreement with the Daimler encompasses the supply of multiple industrial robots of the KR Quantec generation and the integrated KR C4 controller, as well as robots from the KR Fortec heavy-duty series.

The robots will be used primarily for joining and handling applications in body-in-white production.  [Read more…] about Daimler orders millions of dollars worth of industrial robotics tech from Kuka

Kuka shows off its robots working in microelectronics

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Electronics is a fast-growing market for industrial robots, and Kuka has been showing off some of its success in the sector. 

In one example the company highlighted recently, a total of 25 Kuka robots are in operation at Possehl Electronics in Niefern, Germany.

There, they manufacture complex timing cases for electric power steering systems for cars.

At the core of the system, three KR Agilus robots precisely place components into the injection molding machine.

Industrial robots work on three lines with an accuracy to a tenth of a millimeter, says Kuka.  [Read more…] about Kuka shows off its robots working in microelectronics

Comau agrees deal with Brazilian integrator MVB Automation

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Comau has agreed a new partnership with MVB Automation in Brazil. Founded over 10 years ago, the company is a system integrator based in Camaçari, Bahia, with about 90 experts in the field of factory automation.

MVB serves a variety of customers in general industry with robotics solutions, automation controls, process simulation and tooling.

Comau says this partnership represents its strategy to develop its growing partner network in Latin America.  [Read more…] about Comau agrees deal with Brazilian integrator MVB Automation

Delta presents its latest innovations in industrial automation at SPS IPC Drives Italia

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delta electronics 1

Delta, a provider of power and thermal management solutions and industrial automation solutions, is showcasing its complete portfolio of next-generation industrial automation products and solutions at SPS IPC Drives Italia 2017.

The company says its solutions are designed to augment the productivity of manufacturing and industrial processes in a broad spectrum of applications.

These include the new compact modular mid-range PLC AS series, featuring slim and modular design with max. 1,024 I/O and remarkable program capacity of 128K steps for multi-axis control to support advance automation machinery, as well as the new ASDA-A3 servo system, boasting a high performance motor with 6,000rpm and a vibration suppression function to enhance the operation integrity of advanced machines.  [Read more…] about Delta presents its latest innovations in industrial automation at SPS IPC Drives Italia

Video: Massive growth in collaborative robots market could strengthen Universal

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The market for collaborative robots is growing at a phenomenal rate, with some estimates suggesting it will go from $150 million a year now to more than $3 billion in five years.

The market leader in the cobots sector is currently Universal Robots, and this video is an interview with Helmut Schmid, the company’s general manager, with responsibility for a number of countries in Europe.

RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com spoke to Schmid at this year’s Hannover Messe, held in Germany recently.  [Read more…] about Video: Massive growth in collaborative robots market could strengthen Universal

Acorn shortens supply chain with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer

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Acorn Sales, a specialist in customized, handmade rubber stamps and embossing seals, says it has significantly shortened its supply chain by deploying Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer at its facility in Richmond, Virginia.

Family-owned and operated for over three generations, Acorn is a self-described “small business operating in an Amazon world”.

With Sawyer, the company says it has maintained throughput, improved quality and reduced its reliance on outside suppliers, results that even five years ago would have been nearly impossible for a company of its size to attain affordably.  [Read more…] about Acorn shortens supply chain with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer

Video: Stäubli Robotics investing in software for the future

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One of the first industrial automation companies in the world, Stäubli, is investing in the next generation of technology for the future. 

In an exclusive interview with Robotics and Automation News (video above), Stäubli Robotics group division manager Gerald Vogt says the company is “investing and developing in the software side”.

A range of Stäubli robots
A range of Stäubli robots

However, he added that hardware remains fundamental to the company’s business. “I think mechanics will still be the basis on which software is built, meaning that if you don’t have good mechanics, the software will not help.”

Vogt says this is an exciting time for the robotics and automation sector because “we have the technology” to see what the applications of Industry 4.0 technologies are going to be.

Denso unveils collaborative robot prototype it calls ‘Cobotta’

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Denso, one of the world’s largest robotics and automation companies, has unveiled a video of the new collaborative robot it calls “Cobotta”.

The tiny six-axis prototype will be officially released towards the end of 2017 but the company has released a short video showing how it operates.

Denso, which is owned by Toyota, says Cobotta is ideal for research, testing, and learning purposes at universities, scientific institutes, laboratories, and more.  [Read more…] about Denso unveils collaborative robot prototype it calls ‘Cobotta’