Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Yaskawa launches two new collaborative robots for industrial applications

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Yaskawa Motoman, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robots, has launched two new collaborative robots – HC10DTP and HC20DTP, each of which has six axes.

The company describes them as “highly reliable robots (that) enrich easy capability for Yaskawa’s HC-series line”.

Hand-guided programming allows users to direct teach points without a pendant, and an ISO standard tool flange and electrical connections facilitate a plug and play approach for easy deployment of the robot system. [Read more…] about Yaskawa launches two new collaborative robots for industrial applications

Industrial robot sales have ‘strongest year ever’ in 2021

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Industrial robot sales in North America have had their “strongest year ever in 2021”, according to a new report by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

Propelled by a surge in non-automotive sectors, the number of robots sold in North America set a new record in 2021, with 39,708 units sold at a value of $2 billion, a 14 percent increase over the previous high in 2017.

A3 says the number of robots sold in 2021 rose 28 percent over 2020. Record robot sales in the fourth quarter of the year – up 9 percent over Q4 2020 – demonstrated the strong momentum already realized through the previous nine months as more industries look to automation to increase productivity and alleviate ongoing labor shortages. [Read more…] about Industrial robot sales have ‘strongest year ever’ in 2021

Epson signs Heitek Automation as distributor in western US

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Epson Robots has signed Heitek Automation, a distributor of automation products and solutions, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions.

Heitek caters to a range of customers in the medical machine building, automotive, semi-conductor, packaging, industrial laundry, food and beverage, printing, and machine integration industries in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

With an uptick of automation across the Western region, Epson’s partnership brings exceptional value and easy-to-integrate solutions to meet the automation needs of Heitek’s customers. [Read more…] about Epson signs Heitek Automation as distributor in western US

Interview: Formic aims to change the way you integrate robotics and automation into your facility

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Formic Technologies is a new type of company which, itself, is the result of the huge changes that are occurring in the robotics and automation market, what with all sorts of new robots and technologies emerging, none of which is cheap to buy, and creating an increasing amount of complexity when it comes to implementing them in an integrated system at, say, a factory. 

In simple terms, you can hire robots – for example, Universal Robots collaborative robots – and other automation technologies from Formic. But it’s more than that. You can also have Formic design the implementation, and handle the integration, for which the startup company has many established partners.

And possibly Formic’s unique selling point is its promise to link its income from its customers to those customers’ success with the automation systems Formic installs. In other words, it’s a kind of like a robotics-as-a-service company which you can pay as you go according to a sliding scale – or “Easy to start, easy to scale”, as Formic likes to put it. [Read more…] about Interview: Formic aims to change the way you integrate robotics and automation into your facility

Universal Robots reports record revenue of $311 million

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Universal Robots, the Danish producer of collaborative robots, has reported record annual revenue of $311 million, 41 percent up on 2020 and 23 percent up on pre-pandemic results in 2019.

Kim Povlsen, the company’s president, says: “Universal Robots has had a great year. In a company like ours, which manufactures sophisticated hardware to high quality standards, this sort of growth requires tremendous commitment from all involved.

“Our production team in Denmark has broken internal records for the number of cobots built, producing 400 cobots in a single week in Q4. Our supply chain experts have worked hard to keep our business running smoothly despite global supply challenges.” [Read more…] about Universal Robots reports record revenue of $311 million

Fanuc launches new 1,000 kg payload industrial robotic arm

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Fanuc America, the world’s largest maker of industrial robots, has introduced the new M-1000iA robot capable of handling very heavy products including automotive components, construction materials and battery packs for electric vehicles.

The M-1000iA’s serial-link construction gives the robot a wider range of motion in every direction. It can extend its arm upright or rotate it backwards, which is not possible for typical heavy-payload robots with a parallel-link mechanism.

With a 1,000 kg payload, a 3,253 mm horizontal reach, and a 4,297 mm vertical reach the M-1000iA is ready to go to work for manufacturers looking to increase output and maximize their production line’s efficiency. [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new 1,000 kg payload industrial robotic arm

Epson updates T-Series all-in-one SCARA robots lineup

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The uptick in automation continues as companies seek to update manufacturing processes to meet production demands while improving value, managing costs and ensuring employee safety.

As new entrants and seasoned experts search for the right automation solutions, Epson Robots has unveiled new updates to its T-Series line with the T3-B and T6-B All-in-One SCARA robots.

The new T3-B and T6-B All-in-One SCARA robots offer high-quality and high-performance at an exceptional value to simplify both complex and simple automation applications such as packaging, pick and place, dispensing, and inspection. [Read more…] about Epson updates T-Series all-in-one SCARA robots lineup

Stäubli Robots to unveil new hygienic robotic solutions at trade show

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Stäubli Robotics will present live demonstrations plus an educational session on its new hygienic robotic solutions for the food industry at IPPE 2022 in Atlanta.

The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) takes place January 25-27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a leading provider of advanced automation solutions for the food industry, Stäubli Robotics is a must-see for inventively engineered robots used in food production, processing and packaging applications. [Read more…] about Stäubli Robots to unveil new hygienic robotic solutions at trade show

New Kuka robotic technology ‘guarantees highest hygiene standards’

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Kuka says it is now using a range of new lubricants in its robotic technology which “guarantees the highest hygiene standards”.

The food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries impose special requirements on robotics.

Kuka says its new “Hygienic Oil” (HO) portfolio and “Hygienic Machine” (HM) variants are designed to avoid potential contamination and comply with the highest hygiene requirements. [Read more…] about New Kuka robotic technology ‘guarantees highest hygiene standards’

Industrial robotics market set to grow more than 10 percent a year, says report

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The global market for industrial robots is set to grow by more than 10 percent a year, according to a new study by Market Research Future.

MRF’s report, Industrial Robotics Market information by Type, by End-Users, by Application and Region – forecast to 2027, says the sector will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.32 percent by 2026.

Industrial robotics are robotic systems designed to work mainly on assembly lines. The report covers trends in manufacturing and opportunities for the industry for the forecast period (2020-2027). [Read more…] about Industrial robotics market set to grow more than 10 percent a year, says report