Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

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OnRobot, a provider of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper that addresses customer demand for a small but powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

Based on the design of the award-winning OnRobot VG10 electric vacuum gripper, the compact VGC10 is smaller and lighter than its larger cousin, so is ideal for constrained environments and smaller robot arms, but offers the same impressive payload of 15 kg (35 lb).

The VGC10 provides fast out-of-the-box deployment but also offers unlimited customization, with easily changeable suction cup options and the ability to add or replace arms to fit highly specific application needs. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet

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SICK has launched what it describes as its “most powerful and accurate 2D LiDAR sensor yet”.

The LMS4000 is designed for materials handling and intralogistics applications, and is said to maintain its high degrees of accuracy and power even at high speeds, in low ambient light or when goods, packages or parcels are matt black or glossy.

SICK says its LMS4000 2D LiDAR Sensor’s “exceptionally high” laser scanning frequency helps to produce more than half a million measurement points per second to calculate the position, shape, volume or surface quality of goods, packages or components over a wide depth of field, and at ranges up to 3 metres. [Read more…] about SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet

Techman Robot unveils AI vision and TMmanager at 2019 iREX

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Techman Robot has returning to iREX (International Robot Exhibition), taking place in Japan from today, unveiling its new technologies for smart manufacturing.

From human-computer collaboration in the production line, to a quick solution for smart palletizing, and also AI-integration with vision which greatly improves inspection efficiency.

Techman Robot also grows further into software-based solution, TMmanager, a smart factory management system that can connect manufacturing data with management decisions. [Read more…] about Techman Robot unveils AI vision and TMmanager at 2019 iREX

OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper

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OnRobot, a manufacturer of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched a new gripper which it describes as “small but powerful”.

OnRobot says the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper addresses customer demand for a small, powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

The new gripper has no compressor and requires no air supply, which eliminates the cost, noise, space, and maintenance of producing compressed air, says OnRobot, adding that the compact electrical gripper is “easy to implement and move”. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper

Yaskawa launches ‘explosion proof’ industrial robot for painting

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Yaskawa Electric has launched what it describes as an “explosion-proof” industrial “handling” robot.

The new Motoman MHP 45L has a payload capacity of 45 kg, and maximum reach of 2,850 mm for painting areas using volatile paints.

Yaskawa says it has lined up a “wide range of painting robots” optimized for various applications from small to large applications such as smartphones or automotive. [Read more…] about Yaskawa launches ‘explosion proof’ industrial robot for painting

Yaskawa begins sales of its new collaborative robot

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Yaskawa Electric, one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, has begun sales of its new collaborative robot.

The Motoman HC20 DT is said to be anti-dust and drip-proof, with a payload capacity of 20kg and a maximum reach of 1,700 mm.

Yaskawa launches its new cobot against the background of a labor shortage that is worsening due to a decline in the working-age population. [Read more…] about Yaskawa begins sales of its new collaborative robot

Grote demonstrates robotic sandwich-making system

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A company called Grote has demonstrated a robotic sandwich-making system which it developed in partnership with Stäubli Robotics. (See video below.)

Grote is a manufacturer of food processing equipment and the system it showcased at the International Baking Industry Exposition is said to be feature “robotic food contact for the first time in America”.

Grote’s systems shows how it utilizes Stäubli’s TX2-60 HE robotic arms to assemble sandwiches, cut them, and place them on trays. [Read more…] about Grote demonstrates robotic sandwich-making system

Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

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Realtime Robotics, a developer of responsive motion planning software for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, is expanding its partnership with Mitsubishi Electric.

The company is to develop a “custom integrated solution” that pairs Realtime Robotics’ smart motion planning technology with Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial and collaborative robot product lines.

The intelligent robots will be on display at iREX later this month and there will be a series of demonstrations showcasing the motion-planning technology in action. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

Growth of industrial robot market ‘slowed in 2019 but long-term forecast is positive’

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The growth of industrial robot revenues slowed in 2019 but is forecast to pick up again towards late 2020 and accelerate in 2021, according to new market research from Interact Analysis.

The market intelligence firm released a new market report focusing on the industrial robot market which outlines reasons to be positive in the sector, despite an immediate, short term decline in revenues. [Read more…] about Growth of industrial robot market ‘slowed in 2019 but long-term forecast is positive’

Fanuc partners with Soft Robotics to integrate new gripper solutions into its industrial robots

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Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, is partnering with Soft Robotics to develop new gripper solutions. (See video below.)

Soft Robotics, a startup which has produced much-discussed end-effectors that are soft and capable of handling soft products that may be of variable shape, says the strategic partnership with Fanuc will accelerate the adoption of integrated soft robotic solutions into high-growth automation markets worldwide.

Soft Robotics’ “mGrip” modular gripper system and automation solutions have enabled implementation of robotic applications in the highly variable and unstructured environments of consumer goods manufacturing, food processing and packaging, and e-commerce supply chain automation. [Read more…] about Fanuc partners with Soft Robotics to integrate new gripper solutions into its industrial robots