Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Industry

Hitachi to acquire robotic systems integrator JR Automation for $1.4 billion

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Hitachi has entered into a definitive contract for the acquisition of the robotic system integrator business mainly operated by an American headquartered company, JR Automation.

Hitachi will conduct the acquisition with Crestview Partners.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the contract, Hitachi will acquire JR Automation, which builds production lines and logistics systems using industrial robots. [Read more…] about Hitachi to acquire robotic systems integrator JR Automation for $1.4 billion

Sick launches new compact image-based code reader

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Sick has launched a new compact image-based code reader, Lector621, for reliable detection of 1D, 2D, stacked codes, and plain text.

The high-performance DPM – direct part marking – decoder can read laser or dot-peened codes perfectly, even in the case of low contrast levels, contamination, or poor code quality.

This fills a gap in Sick’s existing portfolio of code readers, by providing a compact solution with increased reading distance, resolution, field of vision, and scanning frequency. [Read more…] about Sick launches new compact image-based code reader

Apple’s recycling robot hungry for more defunct devices

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Apple’s recycling robots are hungry for more defunct devices, as tech giant announces a “major expansion” of its recycling programmes.

The company says it is quadrupling the number of locations US customers can send their iPhone to be disassembled by Daisy, its recycling robot.

Daisy will disassemble and recycle select used iPhones returned to Best Buy stores throughout the US and KPN retailers in the Netherlands.

[Read more…] about Apple’s recycling robot hungry for more defunct devices

$700 billion spent on mergers and acquisitions in industrial sector

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Almost $700 billion was spent on mergers and acquisitions in industrial sector last year, according to a study.

Research from global management consultancy A.T. Kearney has found that the total value of deals in the industrials market has risen to $680 billion in 2018, an increase from $662 billion the year before.

A.T. Kearney’s Industrials M&A Report 2019 analysed over 76,000 global transactions between 2009 and 2018 and found that the trend towards so-called ‘megadeals’ is set to continue.

2018 alone saw more than 100 individual deals worth over $1 billion, and seven of those transactions topping the $10 billion mark – including significant deals such as United Technologies’ $30+ billion takeover of avionics supplier Rockwell Collins and the intra-UK $12.1bn deal between Melrose Industries and GKN. [Read more…] about $700 billion spent on mergers and acquisitions in industrial sector

North American Electric establishes new subsidiary NAE Automation

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North American Electric has established a new, wholly-owned subsidiary – NAE Automation.

The company says the new business will provide “complete automation solutions and engineering services”.

NAE Automation’s primary focus will be material handling equipment such as conveyors, automatic palletizers and strapping machines. [Read more…] about North American Electric establishes new subsidiary NAE Automation

ANCA Motion launches new tubular linear motor

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ANCA Motion has launched its new tubular linear motor LinX M Series, which the company says offers 10um of resolution at a peak force range of up to 1,200N.

Available in Q2 2019, the latest addition to the LinX range continues to support demanding automation applications whilst increasing efficiency in a compact footprint.

The LinX M-series linear motor features an integrated position sensor with 10um of resolution, eliminating the need of an external encoder, simplifying the system design and reducing the overall cost. [Read more…] about ANCA Motion launches new tubular linear motor

Mitsubishi Electric hosts its first ‘e-F@ctory Alliance’ in Singapore

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Mitsubishi Electric Asia’s Factory Automation Division partners with emerging industrial internet of things innovators in first e-F@ctory Alliance in Singapore

Mitsubishi Electric Asia, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a manufacturer of electric and electronic equipment, is collaborating with partners and experts to form the first strategic partnership in Singapore, e-F@ctory Alliance.

The alliance is intended to help companies embark on a journey towards developing the internet of things and digital transformation.

Hosted by the Factory Automation division of Mitsubishi Electric Asia, the Alliance saw more than 20 companies present at the inaugural ceremony held at Shangri-La Hotel this afternoon, including Advantech, Hitachi Asia, Oracle and Sato Asia Pacific, among others. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric hosts its first ‘e-F@ctory Alliance’ in Singapore

Brain Corp to supply another 1,500 floor cleaning robots to Walmart

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Brain Corp, a San Diego-based artificial intelligence and robotics company, says it will be expanding its relationship with retail giant Walmart.

Brain Corp will provide its operating system, BrainOS, to an additional 1,500 robotic floor cleaners nationwide by the end of the year.

This deal will increase the prior announcement of 360 robotic floor cleaners powered by BrainOS operating in Walmart stores to a fleet totaling 1,860 machines.  [Read more…] about Brain Corp to supply another 1,500 floor cleaning robots to Walmart

Spinning in infinity: Exclusive insight into industrial technology giant Nidec

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Nidec Corporation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial components, with annual revenues typically in the region of $11 billion.

The Japanese company’s technology can be found in products ranging from robots to computers, from cars to washing machines, and beyond.

There probably isn’t a machine builder on Earth who has not used or has at least considered using Nidec components at concept or production stage. In the computing sector, for example, Nidec is said to have the largest global market share for the tiny spindle motors that power hard-disk drives. Which means that the computer you’re reading this on is likely to have a Nidec component inside it.  [Read more…] about Spinning in infinity: Exclusive insight into industrial technology giant Nidec

Endress+Hauser launches its Netilion IIoT system

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At the Hannover Messe, Endress+Hauser premiered Netilion, an ecosystem that combines applications and system components to simplify system management and maintenance.

The Netilion Scanner App, as well as Netilion System Components, monitor the installed base, while Netilion Analytics provides an overview of the installed instruments.

Netilion Health visualises and interprets the status of the installed base, thus enabling operators to initiate maintenance measures when irregularities occur. And with Netilion Library, Endress+Hauser is offering an online data management service for the entire life cycle of the measurement point.

[Read more…] about Endress+Hauser launches its Netilion IIoT system