Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Fanuc launches new version of Zero Down Time service

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Fanuc America says its Robot LINKi Zero Down Time (ZDT) service is now available to all automotive and non-automotive manufacturers who purchase Fanuc robots.

Launched in 2015 in collaboration with Cisco, ZDT is a predictive analytic service that identifies potential failures so customers can schedule maintenance and repairs, avoiding unexpected breakdowns during production. ZDT received a General Motors Innovation Award in 2016.

Today, over 16,000 robots in the automotive industry are operating with ZDT.

Since its introduction, Fanuc estimates that ZDT has saved customers over 1,300 hours of unexpected production interruptions, which equates to more than $4 million.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new version of Zero Down Time service

New study: Mobile robots in logistics centres to exceed $3 billion in 2022

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Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) used in logistics applications are forecast to enjoy massive growth in the next five years and grow ten-fold to exceed $3bn in 2022, according to a new report from Interact Analysis.

Despite the market being worth just $300m in 2017, the report forecasts that more than 400,000 mobile robots will be installed by the end of 2022.

Whilst AGVs have long been used in manufacturing environments to lower costs and improve efficiencies, logistics and fulfilment centers are a relatively new opportunity.

[Read more…] about New study: Mobile robots in logistics centres to exceed $3 billion in 2022

Universal Robots debuts at US supply chain expo Modex

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Universal Robots will showcase its collaborative robot arms in new application, at Modex, from April 9-12 in Atlanta, USA.

Warehouse processes such as order fulfillment require the ability to recognize and pick a wide range of items that are different sizes, weights, and materials, often jumbled together in bins.

While traditional industrial robots usually stay bolted down in protective cages, dedicated to one handling task only, collaborative robots, or cobots, effectively address this automation challenge with flexible implementation and low upfront cost.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts at US supply chain expo Modex

PSA Group modernises its European manufacturing with UR cobots

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Europe’s second-largest car manufacturer, PSA Group, is increasing factory performance and reducing production costs, using Universal Robots (UR) as part of its “Excellent Plant” initiative.

Results of the new robotic assembly system include improved worker ergonomics and cost savings of two to eight Euros per car, which represents up to 400,000 to 1,600,000 euros in initial cost savings.

“We chose the UR10 robot for its reach, ease of programming and safety, but we’ve been extremely impressed with how quickly this initiative paid for itself,” said Cedric Grandjean, Architect Element Specialist, Finish Assembly Line at Groupe PSA. [Read more…] about PSA Group modernises its European manufacturing with UR cobots

Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

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One of China’s largest home appliance manufacturers is planning to increase its use of robotics and automation technologies in an effort to become more productive. 

Gree, which must be a competitor of home appliances giant Midea, another Chinese company, is said to be “setting up unmanned factories”, some of which are already established.

This is according to China.org, which seems to be a government-connected news website.  [Read more…] about Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

Electronics industry increasingly relies on collaborative robots to boost productivity, says Rethink Robotics

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Rethink Robotics says its collaborative robot Sawyer augments human efforts by taking on tedious tasks like circuit board testing, quality control

Rethink Robotics, a provider of collaborative robots for the manufacturing industry, has seen significant collaborative robot adoption by leading electronics manufacturers.

The company says manufacturers are “increasingly choosing Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer to increase productivity and relieve employees from performing repetitive tasks”.

Sawyer is characterized by intelligent force control, which enables the precise and appropriate use of force when handling electronic components, fragile parts and high-quality accessories.  [Read more…] about Electronics industry increasingly relies on collaborative robots to boost productivity, says Rethink Robotics

New research: Industrial robotics market to reach $40 billion by 2020

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The global Industrial Robotics Industry was estimated at $25.68 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach $40 billion by 2020, according to market research by Million Insights.

The desire to reduce operational costs by many manufacturing companies is expected to drive the global market growth, which can be majorly attributed to the adoption of automation through robotics.

Average labor costs in China have been rising by nearly 10 per cent yearly. The use of robots in industries has helped to reduced workers idle time by 80 per cent and save more than 50 per cent of the production cost, leading to significant cost savings.

[Read more…] about New research: Industrial robotics market to reach $40 billion by 2020

Yaskawa Motoman expands painting robot line with two new models

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Two high-speed, six-axis MPX1150 and MPX2600 robots have been added to Yaskawa Motoman’s paint robot line. These models create smooth, consistent finishes for a variety of painting and dispensing applications, says the company.

The compact MPX1150 robot has a straight wrist with 5 kg payload capacity and is designed for painting smaller components. It is suited for mounting a variety of spray guns and small bells.

Its small footprint and slim arm design allow for minimum installation space. An optional location (right, left or bottom) for manipulator cable connection reduces interference with walls.

[Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman expands painting robot line with two new models

Revenue rockets up 72 per cent for Universal Robots

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Increased demand for its collaborative robot arms has propelled Universal Robots to revenue of $170 million in 2017 – a 72 per cent increase over 2016 performance.

Universal Robots’ annual result, which surpassed the $166 million 2017 goal set in 2013, was partly due to the company’s fourth-quarter returns of $54 million, which is a 61 per cent improvement from the same period a year ago and the best quarter ever at the company. The operating profit more than doubled from 9 per cent in 2016 to 19 per cent in 2017.

“We credit our 72 per cent year-over-year revenue gain to a continuing awareness of the economic advantages of our market-leading collaborative robots for a larger range of applications along with the continued commitment of our Universal Robots employees and partners to be the cobot technology of choice,” said Jürgen von Hollen, president of Universal Robots.

[Read more…] about Revenue rockets up 72 per cent for Universal Robots

Kuka expects to double its business to more than $1 billion through Midea’s China connections

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Industrial robot maker Kuka is forecasting sales of more than $1.24 billion in China by 2020, which would be more than double the volume of business it currently does in the country. 

This is according to a report on the South China Morning Post website, which adds that Kuka is looking to make the most of parent company Midea’s China connections.

Kuka reported global sales of $4.3 billion worldwide for 2017, and currently does approximately $558 million worth of business in mainland China now.  [Read more…] about Kuka expects to double its business to more than $1 billion through Midea’s China connections