Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

SAP and Kuka partner to design the ‘factory of the future’

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SAP and Kuka say they will work together around Industrial 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to develop more flexible and automated production processes.

Both companies want to collaborate, particularly in the areas of manufacturing, mechanical engineering and the automotive sector.

The integration of Kuka robots into SAP’s digital manufacturing is based on standard protocols such as OPC Unified Architecture.

In addition, Kuka and SAP plan to provide Kuka robot applications based on the SAP Leonardo IoT platform.  [Read more…] about SAP and Kuka partner to design the ‘factory of the future’

Robotiq launches program templates for Universal Robots machines

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Robotiq says its new templates simplify the implementation of many common applications in robotics and automation.

Robotiq says its new tools to help collaborative robots beginners save a lot of time, especially in programming their robots.

Program templates are now available and ready to be downloaded on Robotiq’s online resource center. The templates simplify the robot’s programming so it can be put to task in a record time, says the company.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches program templates for Universal Robots machines

General Motors names Kuka Systems its supplier of the year

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kuka robot at hannover messe

Kuka Systems recognized by General Motors as 2016 Supplier of the Year winner for powertrain and body shop equipment

Kuka Systems was named a “General Motors Supplier of the Year for Powertrain and Body Shop Equipment” by GM during its 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held recently in Orlando, Florida.

GM recognized 118 of its best suppliers from 15 countries that have consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value or brought new innovations to the company.

The announcement represented the most suppliers GM has recognized since debuting the Supplier of the Year event in 1992. This is the second time Kuka Systems has received the award.  [Read more…] about General Motors names Kuka Systems its supplier of the year

Tata to launch first India-made industrial robot Brabo in May

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tata brabo

TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a Tata Group company, is expected to launch first ever India-made robot before May 2017.

Dubbed “Tata Brabo”, the robot has been showcased at the recent Make in India week in Mumbai.

Brabo has been developed in-house by a team of six engineers whose average age is 24 years, led by Anil Bhingurde, chief operating officer of TAL Manufacturing Solutions.

The development cost is reported to be about Rs 10 crore ($1.6 million).  [Read more…] about Tata to launch first India-made industrial robot Brabo in May

Universal Robots partners with Nissan to increase manufacturing productivity through collaborative robots

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Universal Robots says Nissan has simplified processes, reduced relief worker costs and stabilised production output through deployment of the company’s UR10 cobots

Universal Robots says the Nissan Motor Company has successfully deployed Universal Robots’ UR10 robot arms at its Yokohama factory. 

The automaker joins other global automotive manufacturers including BMW and Volkswagen who are using Universal Robots’ collaborative robots (cobots) to automate their processes.

Universal Robots says that through the deployment of its cobots, Nissan has enhanced its production processes, resulting in a higher level of output and stability as well as time and cost efficiencies. Nissan’s ageing workforce also enjoy a reduced workload, and were redeployed to less strenuous tasks.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots partners with Nissan to increase manufacturing productivity through collaborative robots

EIT Digital launches ‘Robot IoT Interface’ solution

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The Isoyobot collaborative robot
The Isoyobot collaborative robot

EIT Digital has launched what it calls a “Robot IoT Interface”, a new technology project being developed with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and Poitiers-based startup Agileo Automation.

The goal of the technology is to enable different kind of robots and machines to connect to different cloud platforms.

Agileo’s managing director, Marc Engel, says: “Robots and machines may produce data in a standard or non- standard format according to their internal controller.

“The devised solution is a generic gateway that can receive the produced data, translate it into an OPC-UA model and then make it available in an IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platform located in the cloud.”  [Read more…] about EIT Digital launches ‘Robot IoT Interface’ solution

ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

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ABB IRB 1200 Robot

Monitoring and control software now comes with company’s smallest material and machine tool handling robot 

ABB Robotics says SafeMove2 is now also available for IRB 1200, the smallest ABB robot to feature its advanced safety-certified monitoring and control software.

SafeMove2 enables people to work safely alongside ABB robots with payloads ranging from 6kg to 800kg without compromising productivity.

It also provides an optimum level of collaboration and flexibility to higher speed and throughput applications which typically require more insular, intrusive levels of safety.  [Read more…] about ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

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Fanuc R-30iB Plus robot controller

Fanuc is introducing its new R-30iB Plus robot controller at the annual Fanuc Open House event on April 10-13 at its headquarters in Japan.

The new R-30iB Plus controller features a new iPendant with an enhanced screen resolution and processing capability.

The user interface, iHMI, has an icon-based screen which provides a familiar and easy-to-use experience with intuitive guides for setup and programming.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

Kinema Systems claims ‘world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots’

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kinema systems

Kinema Systems claims to have launched what it describes as “the world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots”. 

A large part of the world’s commerce moves in boxes arranged on pallets. Depalletizing boxes in warehouses, distribution centers and factories is a difficult task that has become more challenging with changing demographics and an increase in product mix.

Kinema Pick is claimed to be the world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots, and addresses the depalletization of both mixed SKU and single SKU pallets.  [Read more…] about Kinema Systems claims ‘world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots’

Epson Flexion N-Series wins 2017 Golden Mousetrap Award

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Epson’s newest 6-axis robot recognized for industry innovation

Epson Robots’ Flexion N-Series has won the highly acclaimed Golden Mousetrap Award in the category of Automation & Control: Motors and Mechanical Motion Devices.

The Golden Mousetrap awards celebrate leading companies, products, and people who are driving innovation in design, engineering, and manufacturing.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held a few weeks ago.  [Read more…] about Epson Flexion N-Series wins 2017 Golden Mousetrap Award