Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Industrial robots

ABB processing and packaging robots showcased in virtual exhibition stand

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With this year’s PPMA show being postponed, ABB has created a virtual exhibition stand demonstrating its latest products and solutions for processing and packaging applications. Accessible via bit.ly/ABB_PPMA2020, visitors will be taken on a panoramic tour to discover the benefits robots can bring to many industries worldwide.

The ABB FlexPicker IRB360 is featured on the stand, demonstrating its fast picking capabilities in a compact footprint. Featuring easy to rinse-off surfaces and joints and designed for picking and packing applications with high payloads up to 8kg, the FlexPicker has established a reputation for fast, flexible, and accurate performance in a wide range of food and beverage and pharmaceuticals applications. [Read more…] about ABB processing and packaging robots showcased in virtual exhibition stand

OnRobot launches robotic sanding system

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OnRobot has launched OnRobot Sander, an all-electric random orbital sander for automated finishing applications, including sanding and polishing.

Traditional sanding automation solutions often require a background in robotics to implement and maintain. With the launch of OnRobot Sander, manufacturers now have access to a complete out-of-the-box sanding tool that’s easy to use with all major collaborative and lightweight industrial robots.

The complete Sander package incorporates everything OnRobot customers need to get their sanding application started quickly and easily: a plug-and-play sanding tool, a variety of standard sanding and polishing pads, easy-to-use programming software, an optional force/ torque sensor and a Grit Changer that enables automated switching between different sanding grits without operator intervention. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches robotic sanding system

Kassow Robots launches the 7-axis lightweight cobot KR1018

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The Danish company Kassow Robots has expanded its product portfolio with the addition of the KR1018, a new, particularly strong model that can handle payloads of up to 18 kilogrammes.

The cobot itself weighs just 34 kilogrammes, a feature that enables it to meet a fundamental requirement for flexible automation solutions, especially in narrow spaces.

The special target group for the company’s fifth 7-axis cobot is industrial companies in the metalworking industry and other areas like the food-production sector that want to take the heavy lifting off the hands of their employees and have these individuals take over more demanding tasks. [Read more…] about Kassow Robots launches the 7-axis lightweight cobot KR1018

Lio – the robot who is ready to help

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Everyday, the world is facing multiple challenges, especially during COVID-19 pandemic time. The healthcare industry is struggling the most – lack of human power and support is making the nursing profession even more difficult.

But there is a solution for it. The professional personal assistant robot Lio by F&P Robotics is specifically designed to assist healthcare staff with their everyday tasks.

Who is Lio?
Lio is a friendly mobile personal robot with a multifunctional arm. He is able to support
healthcare professionals in their daily tasks as well as communicate with people and entertain them. [Read more…] about Lio – the robot who is ready to help

Nilfisk launches new BrainOS-powered scrubber to meet autonomous demand

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Nilfisk, a leading global provider of professional cleaning products and services, today announced the launch of a new high-performance robotic scrubber, the Liberty SC60, to meet the growing market demand for autonomous cleaning solutions.

The company made the announcement as part of a live, virtual event broadcast to a global audience.

The SC60 is the first Nilfisk machine to be powered by BrainOS, an AI software platform for building and managing commercial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at scale. [Read more…] about Nilfisk launches new BrainOS-powered scrubber to meet autonomous demand

ABB expands small robot range with IRB 1300 for confined spaces

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ABB claims that the IRB 1300 dramatically improves cycle times with class-leading lifting ability, reach and path accuracy, in a smaller footprint to enhance productivity and production-line flexibility.

ABB is extending its family of small six-axis industrial robots with the launch of the IRB 1300, to meet demand for a faster and more compact robot able to rapidly lift heavy objects or loads with complex and irregular shapes.

Building on the success of ABB’s IRB 1600 robot for payloads up to 10kg, the IRB 1300 offers a 27 percent improvement in cycle times and is nearly 60 percent lighter and 83 percent smaller than the IRB 1600. [Read more…] about ABB expands small robot range with IRB 1300 for confined spaces

ANYbotics and maxon enter into a strategic partnership

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ANYbotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robotics for industrial application, is joining forces with the renowned drive specialist maxon.

ANYbotics provides important robotics and drive know-how to maxon who will in the future supply the drive systems for the autonomous ANYmal inspection robot.

A solid partnership: ANYbotics and maxon are entering into a close, long-term collaboration and are thus strengthening Switzerland as a prime location for robotics.

[Read more…] about ANYbotics and maxon enter into a strategic partnership

Motiv brings space-grade robotics to industrial sector

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Motiv Space Systems is bringing space-grade robotics to Earth-bound industry. The company has built a number of innovative robots which are being tested at various companies and the robotic arm it supplied to NASA’s Mars project (main illustration) is also available to the market.

In an exclusive interview with Robotics and Automation News, Chris Thayer, CEO of Motiv, says the arm, in particular, has features that are essential in space but would also be applicable on Earth. (See video below.)

“Our robots are lighter weight than say a factory floor robotic arm,” says Thayer. [Read more…] about Motiv brings space-grade robotics to industrial sector

ABB unveils its customized automotive painting system PixelPaint

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ABB says its new PixelPaint system is 50 percent faster and more sustainable, using an inkjet head to eliminate overspray, ensuring two-tone paint and individual designs are applied in one pass, without masking and de-masking.

Millennials are driving demand for greater individualization, increasing the need for customized vehicle paint schemes, using either a second color, a different paint finish such as matte, or a special design.

Previously, applying a two-tone or customized design onto bodywork was a time and labor-intensive process that required the vehicle to be put through the painting line twice, once for the first layer and then, after the areas had been masked, again for the second color. [Read more…] about ABB unveils its customized automotive painting system PixelPaint

Robotiq teams up with industry leaders to build high-performance cobot application solutions

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Robotiq is making the world of collaborative robots even more… collaborative – by joining forces with 3D vision pioneer Pickit and industrial linear motion specialist Festo.

“Collaboration is not just for robots,” said Annie Giguère, VP of product management and marketing at Robotiq. “Working together with other industry leaders, namely Pickit and Festo, will help us provide manufacturers with better application solutions for their production floor.”

Pickit and Robotiq technologies have previously been used together in bin-picking applications, leveraging Pickit’s renowned 3D vision and Robotiq’s quick-to-production grippers. [Read more…] about Robotiq teams up with industry leaders to build high-performance cobot application solutions