Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Kuka wins massive order from BMW for 5,000 robots

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka and Munich-based automotive company BMW have signed a framework agreement for the supply of around 5,000 robots for new production lines and factories.

The Kuka industrial robots will be used around the world at the international production sites of the BMW Group for the manufacture of the current and future generations of vehicle models.

The various robot models from Kuka will be used primarily in body-in-white production and other technologies. [Read more…] about Kuka wins massive order from BMW for 5,000 robots

GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

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Using the UR10e, the company says it has eliminated the tedious and physically taxing tests manually conducted by employees

Universal Robots says GÖPEL electronic, a manufacturer of testing and inspection systems for electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, has developed a revolutionary, automated quality control system for its automotive customers using its UR10e cobot.

According to Thomas Schöppe, senior team manager at GÖPEL electronic, the cobot replaces the company’s manual and cumbersome end of line seating test system. He says: “Previously, our employees have to simulate the vehicle-driver interaction.

For example, pressing the seat’s buttons and switches to measure the voltage or current. This process could often result in production errors which proved costly further down the manufacturing line. [Read more…] about GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

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Automation technology is playing a critical role helping safeguard people and processes during the global coronavirus crisis, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

A3 is a US industrial association representing members in robotics, vision and imaging, motion control and motors, artificial intelligence and related automation technologies who are now part of the large ecosystem taking part in the battle against Covid-19.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “These critical automation technologies are keeping people safe, helping develop new medicines and treatments, producing key products people need today, and filling other essential roles. [Read more…] about Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

Kuka secures contract worth ‘millions’ to supply automation technology to manufacture battery packs

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Kuka, one of the world’s largest industrial automation companies, says it has secured a contract “worth millions” in the future-oriented market of electro-mobility.

Kuka says it won the contract for the planning and supply of a fully automated battery pack line. It adds that it is a “major double-digit million euro order”.

Starting 2021, battery systems for fully electric vehicles in the premium segment will be manufactured in this production facility, which will feature at least 50 Kuka robots. [Read more…] about Kuka secures contract worth ‘millions’ to supply automation technology to manufacture battery packs

ABB launches ‘Wizard’ to make robot programming ‘more intuitive’

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ABB has launched what it calls “Wizard Easy Programming” to make robot programming “more intuitive”. (See video below.)

The company says Easy Programming makes robots easier to install, program and operate without specialized training, reducing barriers for first-time robot-users to implement automation

Wizard easy programming is a graphical programming method designed to enable users to quickly create robot application programs for ABB’s single-arm YuMi collaborative robot, without the need for specialized training. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘Wizard’ to make robot programming ‘more intuitive’

Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

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New Scale Robotics has launched its Q-Span Workstation Kit, the first application kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots and featured on the UR+ platform. (See video below.)

The Q-Span Workstation Kit allows quality teams to automate measurement inspection of small parts. Deployed on a UR3e collaborative robot (cobot), the Q-Span Workstation Kit increases measurement consistency and helps quality teams to achieve gage R&R targets.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Robotics, says: “New Scale Robotics is pleased to be in the vanguard of Universal Robots’ new UR+ application kits for quality inspection processes. [Read more…] about Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

Epson Robots selects Air Automation Engineering as authorized service center

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Epson Robots has selected Air Automation Engineering as one of its authorized service centers.

Epson says the decision is part of an initiative to increase technical support in the Midwest US. Epson Robots claims to be the number-one SCARA robot manufacturer in the world.

The company already has a partnership in place with AAE, and this new initiative is an expansion of that relationship. [Read more…] about Epson Robots selects Air Automation Engineering as authorized service center

OnRobot launches new gripper for handling cylindrical objects

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OnRobot, the makers of robotics tools for collaborative applications, has released a compact, large-stroke three-finger gripper.

OnRobot says its 3FG15 makes previously hard-to-automate precision handling of cylindrical parts “easy to program and deploy, and provides flexibility for a wide range of part sizes”.

CEO of OnRobot, Enrico Krog Iversen, says: “Our new 3FG15 three-finger gripper was developed as a response to existing pneumatic three-finger grippers that are bulkier and less flexible. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new gripper for handling cylindrical objects

Techman Robot opens new office in the Netherlands

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Techman Robot, a global leader of the collaborative robot has opened its first office in Europe, dedicated to providing instant services, training courses, and also as an inventory hub.

The new office is located in the Netherlands, which allows Techman Robot to respond effectively to the growing needs of their partners and customers in Europe, and also supports more local businesses that are interested in implementing robotic solutions.

Judy Chang, global sales director of Techman Robot, says: “From here we are not only close to our partners in the Benelux, but also closer to other European countries, which is an ideal location for us.” [Read more…] about Techman Robot opens new office in the Netherlands

Universal Robots launches UR+ Application Kits to simplify cobot deployments

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The leader of collaborative robotics is expanding its UR+ platform of certified partner products with application kits that remove barriers to industrial automation for small, medium and large companies alike.

Twenty proven software and hardware kits for the most popular cobot applications are now available on the UR+ platform, the industry’s largest and most comprehensive ecosystem of products certified to integrate seamlessly with cobots from Universal Robots (UR).

By reducing recurring engineering decisions for common applications, the “Plug and Produce” kits decrease project risk and complexity and are ready for fast implementation for tasks such as finishing, inspection, assembly, machine tending, material removal, dispensing, and material handling.

Jim Lawton, VP of product and applications management at Universal Robots, says: “As the world’s leader in collaborative robots, Universal Robots is pleased to extend our award-winning UR+ ecosystem to include certified cobot applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches UR+ Application Kits to simplify cobot deployments