Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Airbus inaugurates Hamburg’s fourth A320 production line dominated by robots and digital processes

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Airbus has inaugurated the fourth Hamburg, Germany production line for its A320 Family of jet airliners.

Making use of digital technologies and a more flexible industrial setup, Airbus says the “innovative state-of-the-art line is a key enabler for ramping up the single-aisle programme to 60 aircraft per month by mid-2019”.

Frank Horch, Hamburg’s senator of economy, transport and innovation and Thomas Jarzombek, federal government coordinator of German aerospace policy, witnessed the milestone together with Guillaume Faury, president Airbus commercial aircraft, and 500 guests at a special ceremony in Hamburg.  [Read more…] about Airbus inaugurates Hamburg’s fourth A320 production line dominated by robots and digital processes

Omron introduces new i4 Scara product family

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Omron Corporation announced at automatica, the automation and robotics exhibition, that it will be introducing a new line of Scara robots, boasting sleek design and enhanced performance.

Named the “i4,” the new generation of Scara robot is claimed to save space during installation and allow easier configuration into existing production lines. The i4 is fast, repeatable, easy to operate and flexible for multiple configurations and applications, says the company.

Manufacturers around the world are facing major challenges in having to produce a high mix low volume of products and shorter product life cycles while dealing with labour shortage issues.

[Read more…] about Omron introduces new i4 Scara product family

Isra Vision claims its sensor system delivers ‘top performance for automated bin picking’

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Robotic perception specialist Isra Vision claims its new sensor duo “delivers top performance for automated bin picking”.

Isra says its enhanced “versionmarket” sensor and a completely new four-camera solution with top speeds in scanning and data processing are taking fully automated bin picking to the next level.

The “extremely fast and robust sensors” reliably meet even difficult production requirements such as harsh environments and short cycle times, adds Isra.  [Read more…] about Isra Vision claims its sensor system delivers ‘top performance for automated bin picking’

Newly-formed OnRobot debuts new products at Automatica

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The newly-formed company OnRobot, a combination of US-based Perception Robotics, Hungary-based OptoForce, and Denmark-based OnRobot, is launching several new products at the ongoing trade show Automatica 2018.

The new products are:

  • the “Gecko Gripper”;
  • the “Polyskin Tactile Gripper”;
  • the “RG2-FT”; and
  • a major technical upgrade of the existing “HEX” force-torque sensor product line based on OptoForce technology.

OnRobot says these “innovative solutions will open up new areas of application for collaborative robotics” at the same time as making implementation “even easier”.  [Read more…] about Newly-formed OnRobot debuts new products at Automatica

Robotiq launches ‘first’ gripper ready for Universal Robots’ new e-Series collaborative robot

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Robotic end-effector specialist Robotiq has launched what it claims is the first electric gripper ready for the e-Series, the new generation of collaborative robots from Universal Robots.

Robotiq says the Hand-E was developed within the Universal Robots+ ecosystem. UR+ is like an app shop set up by Universal Robots to enable other companies to develop peripherals and other technologies for use with the company’s robotic arms.

Robotiq says Hand-E’s high accuracy and 50 mm parallel stroke makes it “perfect for precision assembly tasks”. Its sealed design ensures reliability in the toughest manufacturing conditions, adds the company.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches ‘first’ gripper ready for Universal Robots’ new e-Series collaborative robot

ABB showcases vision of digital factory of the future at automatica

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ABB announced a new, intelligent design approach to its robotic solution portfolio at automatica 2018, which it says will provide customers with more flexibility and a better return on investment in automation.

The new approach will allow the portfolio to be easily tailored to a wider range of needs, both for today’s dynamic markets and future opportunities.

“The needs of our customers in all industries are changing and will continue to change. ABB is helping them prepare for the future,” said Sami Atiya, President of Robotics and Motion for ABB.

[Read more…] about ABB showcases vision of digital factory of the future at automatica

ABB launches newest member of its YuMi collaborative robot range

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ABB has launched the newest member of its YuMi collaborative industrial robot family. The company had unveiled the model in Japan towards the end of last year, and this looks to be the formal launch in Europe. 

The company unveiled the new, single-arm version – full technical name the ABB IRB 14050 single-arm collaborative robot (main picture) – at the ongoing Automatica event. ABB says the machine is its “most agile and compact collaborative robot yet and can easily integrate into existing production”.

The single-arm YuMi has the same safety features, precision and ease-of-use as dual-arm YuMi, says ABB, adding that it weighs less than 10 kg and has seven-axis dexterity.  [Read more…] about ABB launches newest member of its YuMi collaborative robot range

ABB launches third-generation of its ‘Foundry Prime’ industrial robot arm

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ABB has launched the third-generation of its “Foundry Prime” industrial robotic arm.

The company says the new robot “reduces maintenance cost by up to 60 percent” and operates at “15 percent less energy consumption”.

The IRB 6790 (main picture) targets high-pressure water-jet cleaning applications in harsh industrial environments with 100 percent humidity.  [Read more…] about ABB launches third-generation of its ‘Foundry Prime’ industrial robot arm

ABB and Kawasaki partner to launch ‘world’s first’ operating system for collaborative robots

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ABB and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are showcasing the world’s first common collaborative robot operating interface at the ongoing Automatica event. 

The two companies are among the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturers, with almost half a million installations worldwide.

The companies say the new common interface will help address the shortage of skilled workers in many industries. In Japan, for example, one person in five is within a decade of retirement.  [Read more…] about ABB and Kawasaki partner to launch ‘world’s first’ operating system for collaborative robots

Pilz launches its first service robotics solutions at Automatica

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A German company called Pilz has launched what it describes as a new range of “service robotics modules”. The company showcased the solutions at the ongoing Automatica event.

By “service robotics”, Pilz appears to mean solutions which include small, collaborative robots the company appears to have built by itself (see main picture).

The new range of solutions includes:

  • a “manipulator module” – by which Pilz seems to mean the robotic arm – with 6 axes and a load of 6 kg;
  • the control module with drive and control technology; and
  • the operator module including an operator and visualisation software developed by Pilz.

[Read more…] about Pilz launches its first service robotics solutions at Automatica