Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Norautron recruits ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to help with Abax electronics manufacturing

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Norautron, an electronics manufacturer based in Norway, has invested in the ABB YuMi collaborative robot to help the company meet additional demands relating to a manufacturing agreement with Abax, a supplier of electronics for cars and other road vehicles. 

Norautron fully automatic robotic work cell is said to be able to manufacture, assemble, mark and pack four unique products.

With this new cell, hardware can be assembled in Norway at a competitive cost level, says the company.  [Read more…] about Norautron recruits ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to help with Abax electronics manufacturing

HMK claims new collaborative robot is world’s first to have integrated vision

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Industrial automation company HMK has launched what it claims is the world’s first collaborative robot with integrated vision. 

UK-based HMK’s vision system is built into a robotic arm built by Techman Robot, a Taiwanese company.

HMK says its TM5 Cobot system “sets a new benchmark” in collaborative robotics because it merges systems that usually function separately in conventional robots.  [Read more…] about HMK claims new collaborative robot is world’s first to have integrated vision

ST Robotics launches ‘Workspace Sentry’ collaborative robot

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ST Robotics has launched its “Workspace Sentry” collaborative robotics safety system.

The company says the cobot is specifically designed to meet the International Organization for Standardization Technical Specification 15066 on collaborative operation.

ST Robotics describes the new ISO/TS 15066 as a “game changer for the robotics industry”, as it provides guidelines for the design and implementation of a collaborative workspace that reduces risks to people.  [Read more…] about ST Robotics launches ‘Workspace Sentry’ collaborative robot

On Robot launches customizable grippers for collaborative robots tasked with multi-size objects

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On Robot, a Danish manufacturer of electric grippers for collaborative robots, has launched a “flexible and energy-efficient” gripper for cobots tasked with handling objects of various sizes. 

On Robot says the new gripper is easy to install on the arm of a cobot and simple to program.

The RG6 gripper is a bigger and stronger version of the company’s popular RG2, with higher payload than other two-finger collaborative grippers available on the market today.  [Read more…] about On Robot launches customizable grippers for collaborative robots tasked with multi-size objects

Kuka wins multi-million-dollar order to supply robotic work cell to make batteries for electric vehicles

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Industrial robotics and automation company Kuka Industries has received an order from what it says is “a leading European manufacturer in the automotive industry” to supply a battery production system. 

Kuka Industries, which is part of Kuka, would not say which company it was which placed the order, but it has supplied the same company before with a similar system, and now the customer seems to be selling or expecting to sell more electric cars, or maybe battery systems for electric vehicles.

Kuka says the order value lies in the “mid-double-digit million euro range” and was booked in the second quarter of 2017. Start of production is planned for mid-2019.  [Read more…] about Kuka wins multi-million-dollar order to supply robotic work cell to make batteries for electric vehicles

Midea planning robot bartenders and factories with no human workers in them

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Midea, the Chinese company which acquired industrial robotics and automation systems supplier Kuka, is planning to launch robot bartenders and design factories where no humans are needed. 

Neither one of the ideas is new, since most visitors to robotics industry events may have seen at least one robotic arm pouring and serving up a drink, and fully automated factories have been much discussed for some time.

However, Midea is thought to be the world’s largest appliance maker, producing a wide range of washing machines, fridge-freezers and other gadgets for the home.  [Read more…] about Midea planning robot bartenders and factories with no human workers in them

Tennplasco invests in Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer Robot and sees return in under four months

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Tennplasco, a plastic injection molding company, says it solved its labor shortage and met its return on investment just three and a half months after integrating Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer into its Lafayette, Tennessee facility. 

The company says it has increased its productivity and efficiency, giving it a competitive advantage in the injection molding market.  [Read more…] about Tennplasco invests in Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer Robot and sees return in under four months

Asian demand for actuators for industrial robots set to increase in next few years

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The market for motors and actuators for industrial robots is forecast to increase dramatically over the next few years, according to a new report. 

The market is also set to see “intense competition”, says Technavio, which adds that key vendors are “constantly trying to provide innovative motors and actuators for industrial robot manufacturers”.

In their bid to outdo each other, vendors are said to be providing full-fledged customer services and support, as well as assisting in training the employees to operate the industrial robots.  [Read more…] about Asian demand for actuators for industrial robots set to increase in next few years

China reaching new heights in demand for industrial robots as well as making them

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China is seeing more demand for industrial robots as well as more of the machines being built inside the country, according to a report by the Robotics industries Association. 

Annual sales in China were “the highest level ever recorded for a single country”, says RIA, adding “sales in China surged by 27 percent to 87,000 units” in 2016.

At the same time, says RIA, robot manufacturers in China have been expanding their market share within the country.  [Read more…] about China reaching new heights in demand for industrial robots as well as making them