Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Denso takes a stake in Tohoku Pioneer EG

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Denso Corporation has agreed to take a stake in Tohoku Pioneer EG Corporation, which is involved in the factory automation business and is owned by Tohoku Pioneer Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary of Pioneer Corporation.

The company highlights that manufacturing industry is at a turning point due to the shrinking workforce and ageing population, with various initiatives being taken to promote industrial change, such as Connected Industries in Japan and Industrie 4.0 in Germany.

Against this backdrop, Denso set the goal of developing optimal solutions for factory automation systems in its Long-term Plan 2025 formulated in 2017.

[Read more…] about Denso takes a stake in Tohoku Pioneer EG

Techman Robot launches new industrial robot systems at IMTS

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Techman Robot has launched several new industrial automation systems – including the new TM12 and TM14 robots – at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, currently taking place in Chicago.

The company boasts that its Techman robot is “the most intelligent collaborative industrial robot in the world” and recently signed a partnership with industrial automation giant Omron.

Techman Robot has a built-in visual system and “innovative” user interface. The company says it has become one of the industrial robots with “the fastest sales growth in the global market”.  [Read more…] about Techman Robot launches new industrial robot systems at IMTS

Robotiq launches software for embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ e-Series

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Robotiq, a company which makes grippers for industrial robots, has launched new software for the embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ new e-Series of collaborative robots.

The company says utilizing the new sensor “makes force control easy” when used with Force Copilot, the related software application.

Robotiq says Force Copilot is an “intuitive” software application which operates Universal Robots e-Series’ embedded force torque sensor.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches software for embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ e-Series

IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

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ABB says its robots are helping machine shops meet the challenges of high-mix, low volume production – or the “new normal”, as the company puts it.

The company will showcase solutions to increase machine tool utilization and unlock the full potential of the flexible, connected and collaborative factory at IMTS, the world’s largest industrial technology show, due to be held in Chicago next week.

With more efficient and advanced machine tools entering the market, the demand for more intelligent and flexible robotic automation for machining applications is ever increasing.  [Read more…] about IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

Epson expands its Flexion series of small industrial robots

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Epson Robots has expanded its Flexion N-Series of industrial robots with the new N6 6-axis robot.

Epson says the Flexion N6 6-Axis robot features the world’s first folding-arm design and a strong footprint-to-reach ratio, this compact 6-Axis robot offers a powerful solution for tight or confined spaces in factory automation.

The Flexion N6 is currently available from Epson.  [Read more…] about Epson expands its Flexion series of small industrial robots

Universal Robots eyes large automation market potential in Vietnam

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Universal Robots is optimistic about expanding its presence in Vietnam in line with the Vietnamese government’s increasing focus on Industry 4.0.

Frost & Sullivan estimates that the total automation and control market in Vietnam will be worth $184.5 million by 2021.

Present in the country since 2016, UR distributes cobots through its Vietnamese technology distributor and system integrator partners – Servo Dynamics Engineering and Tan Phat Automation JSC.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots eyes large automation market potential in Vietnam

Nidec looking to ‘buy five German robotics companies for $450 million’

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Nidec, the Japanese maker of industrial machinery components such as motors, is planning to buy five German robotics companies, according to a report on Nikkei. 

Nidec recently reported record profits for its most recent quarter and is apparently flush with cash, and looks to have decided to spend it on acquisitions.

According to Nikkei, the first of the five acquisition targets is MS-Graessner, which makes speed-reducing gearboxes which fit into the joints of robotic arms.  [Read more…] about Nidec looking to ‘buy five German robotics companies for $450 million’

New Scale Robotics targets collaborative robots with launch of small precision gripper

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New Scale Robotics, a newly-formed division of New Scale Technologies, has introduced an electric parallel gripper targeting precision assembly and inspection with collaborative robots.

New Scale says its NSR-PG-10-20 Precision Parallel Gripper is “the smallest, most precise smart gripper” available for collaborative robots including the UR3, UR5 and UR10 robots from Universal Robots.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Technologies, says: “We created this smart electric gripper specifically for agile automation with collaborative robots, using our extensive experience making small mechatronic motion systems.”  [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics targets collaborative robots with launch of small precision gripper

OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics

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Purple Robotics, which developed an innovative vacuum gripper within one year – the world’s first gripper specifically for cobots – has now been acquired by OnRobot.

The acquisition takes place just two months after the OnRobot merger of three robotics companies – Perceptron from the US, OptoForce from Hungary, and OnRobot from Denmark – to create one global player with a strong focus on the market for industrial robot accessories.

Now, OnRobot in Odense, Denmark, adds what it regards as another “trail-blazing technology” to its product mix.  [Read more…] about OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics

Kuka launches ‘smart factory as a service’ with partners

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Industrial robot giant Kuka is partnering with two other companies to offer what it describes as a “SmartFactory as a Service”. 

The two other companies are insurance giant Munich Re and MHP, which is a process supplier and a subsidiary of Porsche, the automotive company.

Kuka says the “revolutionary co-operation opens the door for new ideas”.  [Read more…] about Kuka launches ‘smart factory as a service’ with partners