Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Mitsubishi Electric selling collaborative robots at half price

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Mitsubishi Electric is selling its collaborative robots at half their normal price, according to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website.

The giant industrial conglomerate has installed dozens of its own collaborative robots at production facilities around the world, and is targeting sales of 1,000 cobot units per year.

Mitsubishi has named its collaborative robot range “MELFA”, short for Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation, and the main cobot model is the Assista. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric selling collaborative robots at half price

Fanuc plans to triple its production of industrial robots

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Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, with almost 500,000 units in operation at customer locations around the world, is planning to “triple current monthly production” at its main factory in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. 

This is according to a report by Nikkei Asian Review which says Fanuc is particularly concentrating on its CRX line of collaborative robots.

The term “collaborative robots” refers to a type of robot which is designed to work in close proximity to humans, possibly even directly controlled by human workers through touch and guidance. [Read more…] about Fanuc plans to triple its production of industrial robots

New universal OS makes robots interact and learn from humans and other robots

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Qobotix coordinates automation between manufacturers’ existing robots to boost productivity, lower costs; enables flexibility to quickly adapt manufacturing processes while allowing for social distancing to keep workers safe.

Qobotix announced today the introduction of its new universal AI operating system to transform collaborative robots (cobots) into intelligent coworkers on the manufacturing floor.

After two years of R&D, including active installations of the OS industrial appliance at major auto manufacturers, Qobotix officially unveiled its technology to make existing robots smarter and self-learning. [Read more…] about New universal OS makes robots interact and learn from humans and other robots

Major order from Korea: Kuka to deliver 185 robots to automotive supplier Seojin Industrial

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Korean automotive supplier Seojin Industrial, which manufactures for Hyundai and Kia, among others, has placed a major order with Kuka: 185 Kuka robots, mainly from the KR Quantec series, will soon be used in Korea for welding and handling tasks.

The Korean company Seojin Industrial is supplementing its decades of experience with the latest technologies and automated production.

Starting next year, the automotive supplier will be using more than 185 Kuka robots at its Hwaseong and Gwangju plants to manufacture car parts for customers such as Hyundai and Kia. [Read more…] about Major order from Korea: Kuka to deliver 185 robots to automotive supplier Seojin Industrial

Sarcos Robotics raises $40 million in Series C funding

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Sarcos Robotics, a global leader in the production of robots that augment humans to enhance productivity and safety, announced that it has raised $40 million in an oversubscribed Series C financing round.

The Series C round was led by Rotor Capital, with most of the company’s existing investors participating in the financing.

The Series C funding will be used to begin commercial production of the company’s Guardian XO industrial exoskeleton – the world’s first full-body, battery-powered wearable industrial robot designed to increase strength and endurance – scheduled for commercial release in 2021. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics raises $40 million in Series C funding

ForwardX Max 500 AMR earns CE mark

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ForwardX Robotics, a Beijing-based developer of visual Autonomous Mobile Robots, announced its ForwardX Max 500 robots have achieved CE mark approval and are now certified for use across Europe.

CE marking indicates that the Max 500 visual Autonomous Mobile Robots (vAMRs) now adhere to the European Union’s directives and standards for health, safety, and environmental protection.

“Our Max 500 vAMRs give warehousing and manufacturing facilities the ability to automate dangerous, time-consuming tasks,” said Viktor Wang, Senior Product Director at ForwardX Robotics. [Read more…] about ForwardX Max 500 AMR earns CE mark

Rokae unveils robotic system for making knives and scissor blades

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Rokae has unveiled a robotic system for making knives, scissor blades and other metallic objects with sharp edges. 

The company has partnered with Zhang Xiao Quan, a 400-year-old manufacturer of cutting tools, to implement a robotic system in place of what would be a very time-consuming process for a human worker.

In a typical knife manufacturing facility, huge rolls of steel arrive and are cut into blanks, which are then shaped using presses, and then sharpened. [Read more…] about Rokae unveils robotic system for making knives and scissor blades

ABB Dynamic Assembly Pack provides ‘missing last piece’ in automating final trim assembly applications

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ABB says its Dynamic Assembly Pack provides the “missing last piece” in automating final trim assembly applications. (See video below.)

New force control sensors enable robots to accurately perform assembly tasks during final trim assembly, improving productivity, ergonomics and quality.

Designed to offer a fast, accurate and safe automated solution for installing anything from seats, dashboards and carpets inside vehicle bodies, to doors, bumpers and wheels outside the vehicle, ABB’s new Dynamic Assembly Pack for Final Trim and Assembly (FTA) combines real time vision cameras on the robot gripper and arms with integrated force control sensors to allow the robot to precisely track the position of the car body as it enters the workstation. [Read more…] about ABB Dynamic Assembly Pack provides ‘missing last piece’ in automating final trim assembly applications

Doosan Robotics launches six new collaborative robot models

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Doosan Robotics is introducing six new collaborative robots models. The new lineup includes four models from the A-Series and two from the H-Series.

The company says the new robots add to its selection of “innovative, future-proof cobots”.

The A-Series is comprised of four models, A0509, A0509s, A0912 and A0912s, and offers payload range of 5kg to 9kg. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics launches six new collaborative robot models

Kuka showcases new fully automated sealing and damping system at Audi

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Kuka is showcasing a new “fully automated sealing and damping system” that the company has implemented at Audi.

In the automotive industry, it is becoming increasingly important to produce sustainably and efficiently.

As an alternative joining method, adhesive and sealing technology in body-in-white production makes it possible to reliably join a wide variety of materials. [Read more…] about Kuka showcases new fully automated sealing and damping system at Audi