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Record growth in US robotics, vision and motion control industries

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According to the Association for Advancing Automation’s (A3) annual report on automation and robotics market statistics, 2017 was a milestone year for the North American robotics market.

It surpassed previous high water marks in all four statistical categories: order units, order revenue, shipment units, and shipment revenue. The amount of robots sold in North America last year also surpassed all previous records.

Customers purchased 34,904 total units representing $1.896 billion in total sales. These numbers show growth of 0.9% in units and 0.1% in dollars from 2016.

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Flexible ‘robot hands’ pack delicate herbs

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It takes great finesse to cultivate and deliver tasteful, fresh herbs. It requires intelligent automation to ensure that production is efficient, competitive, and creates a good work environment.

That is why Denmark’s largest producer of herbs and mini plants, Rosborg Food Holding, chose to invest in sensitive, flexible robot grippers from On Robot to handle the plants.

The use of herbs dates back to Babylon 4000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks developed and refined the cultivation of herbs for the emerging medical sciences and culinary delights.

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Hannover Messe: Software and additive manufacturing for the factories of the future

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Software and IT solutions will be high on the agenda at Hannover Messe 2018, which is no wonder in view of their pivotal role in connecting the individual links in the industrial value chain.

Integration and networking are central to the digital transformation of industrial production. For this reason, the exhibit categories “Automation” and “Digital Factory” will be a magnet for visiting professionals in April.

In halls 6, 7 and 8 the spotlight will be on IT solutions and integrated processes – in particular, additive manufacturing, CAD/CAM, CAE, MES, ERP and PLM.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe: Software and additive manufacturing for the factories of the future

Foxconn to invest $4 billion in new robotics and automation technology

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Hon Hai Precision, better known as Foxconn, is planning to invest $4 billion into increasing the amount of robotics and automation technology used in its factories, according to a report on Nikkei. 

The business news website says Foxconn’s profits are coming under pressure because of rising labour costs.

Foxconn, a Taiwan-headquartered company with extensive operations in China and around the world, is the main contract manufacturing partner for Apple, and makes the US tech giant’s iPhones and other devices.  [Read more…] about Foxconn to invest $4 billion in new robotics and automation technology

Cognex launches mobile barcode reading range

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Cognex Corporation , the machine vision and industrial barcode reading company, has launched what it claims is the only end-to-end family of mobile scanning solutions in the market.

The latest additions to the product line, designed to solve logistics and manufacturing applications, include the MX-1502 Series vision-enabled mobile terminal, the MX-100 Series mobile barcode reader, and the Cognex Mobile Barcode Software Development Kit (SDK).

Equipped with smart barcode reading algorithms and optics, the MX-1502 quickly adjusts between standard-, long-, and extended-range scanning to reliably decode 1-D, 2-D, and direct part mark (DPM) codes from as near as 15 centimeters to as far away as 10 meters.

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Rockwell launches new software for human machine interfaces

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Rockwell Automation has updated its HMI software to “equip industrial workers with better information to run and maintain their systems”, according to the company.

New features in the FactoryTalk View software version 10.0 include greater access to information, new mobile device support and better cross-software integration to improve productivity.

Operators can now use the TrendPro tool in FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) software to overlay alarm information on trend data.  [Read more…] about Rockwell launches new software for human machine interfaces

Arburg to show digital transformation in plastics processing at Hannover Messe

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Arburg will present the multiple-variant injection moulding of elastic tension straps ‘on demand’ as well as current Industry 4 components for the ‘smart factory’ at the Digital Factory, on stand J10 in hall 6, at Hannover Messe.

“We regard ourselves not only as a supplier of machines, but also as a technology partner, efficiency promoter and pioneer in the plastics industry with regard to the topic of digital transformation,” explains Heinz Gaub, Managing Director Technology & Engineering at Arburg.

From the smart machine and host computer system to the smart factory and smart services, Arburg has a large range of offerings for ‘smart’ injection moulding companies in order to enhance added value, production efficiency and process reliability in networked and flexibly automated production.

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Nordson EFD releases new automated fluid dispensing system

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Nordson EFD, a major precision fluid dispensing systems manufacturer, has introduced the new RV Series 4-axis automated dispensing system.

The system features proprietary DispenseMotion software and a fully integrated CCD smart vision camera for best-in-class fluid placement accuracy and control at any angle along the 360° rotational plane.

Nordson EFD vision-guided dispensing robots use fiducial marks to automatically offset the dispense program and compensate for slight shifts in workpiece orientation or location.

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KHS launches new labeling machine for food industry

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The KHS Group has launched the Innoket Roland 40 compact labeler to market. With a capacity of 2,500 to 25,000 containers per hour, it is specifically tailored to the requirements of the food industry. It can be fitted with various labeling stations.

The machine is specially geared towards lines with a low output, so is aimed at craft breweries and manufacturers of canned food, sauces or dressings.

In its standard version the Innoket Roland 40 comes with two cold glue stations. This allows shoulder and neck labels to be applied at two levels by the first station, with the second station affixing back labels to the bottles.

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Kawasaki robots take the biscuit

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Fox’s, a UK biscuit brand, has replaced SCARA type robots with Kawasaki robots to overcome efficiency issues relating to obsolescence.

Back in 1989, Fox’s Uttoxeter facility first implemented robotic handling of wrapped biscuits, reducing operators from 34 to just 14, using SCARA configuration robots.

Out of three replacement options proposed to Fox’s, Kawasaki suggested a move back to conventional six axes arms. Through simulations, Kawasaki Robotics UK was able to illustrate that the RS-20N Robots would cost effectively match, and exceed if required, the output of the existing SCARA robots.

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