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Extra sensitivity for robotic force sensor

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The Robotiq FT 300 multi-axis torque force sensor, designed specifically for operation with Universal Robots, has had its sensitivity increased tenfold, says UK supplier Raruk Automation.

With plug-and-play integration on all models of Universal Robots, the Robotiq FT 300 performs highly repeatable, precision force control tasks such as finishing, product testing, assembly and precise part insertion. It has a measuring range of ±300N.

Raruk Automation offers the complete range of Robotiq off-the-shelf 2-finger, 3-finger and dual grippers and 6-axis torque force sensor.

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Hollar deploys inVia Robotics mobile robots for warehouse operations

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Hollar has deployed inVia Robotics Picker robots and cloud-based Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) management system to streamline e-commerce fulfillment in its Los Angeles warehouse.

Hollar needed a cost-effective, collaborative mobile robotics platform to automate the goods-to-person fulfillment process. It will initially deploy 100 inVia Picker robots and scale as needed to address seasonal shopping and company growth.

The inVia Picker works collaboratively alongside Hollar’s human operators to pick and move items, automating the storage and retrieval process and minimizing operator risk exposure.

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Cobots halt slide to overseas manufacturing

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The long-standing industrial practice of outsourcing manufacturing operations to low-cost parts of the world to keep manufacturing costs down has recently taken a turn.

A report from Boston Consulting Group has shown that ‘the share of executives saying that their companies are actively reshoring production increased by 9% since 2014 and by about 250% since 2012. This suggests that companies that were considering reshoring in the past three years are now taking action.’

With rapidly rising labour costs in traditional low-cost countries such as China, manufacturers are now experiencing that the financial advantages of manufacturing overseas are being seriously eroded.

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Honeywell introduces industrial training simulator

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Honeywell has launched a cloud-based simulation tool that uses a combination of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to train plant personnel on critical industrial work activities.

With as much as 50 percent of industrial plant personnel due to retire within the next five years, the Honeywell Connected Plant Skills Insight Immersive Competency is designed to bring new industrial workers up to speed quickly by enhancing training and delivering it in new and contemporary ways.

The training solution combines mixed reality with data analytics and the company’s 25 years of experience in worker competency management to create an interactive environment for on-the-job training.

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Cimtec to repair Epson Robots in south-east US

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Cimtec Automation LLC is now an official Epson Robots certified repair center. The partnership will extend beyond the current scope of selling new Epson Robots and automation products to include maintenance and repair of the broad installed base of legacy systems throughout the Southeastern US.

The original agreement, in 2015, included distribution of all of Epson Robots’ automation products, including the large lineup of SCARA, 6-Axis and Linear Module robots as well as Vision Guidance, Force Guidance and many other industrial automation products.

Cimtec has helped Epson Robots grow new robot-based automation solutions throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

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ESI looks to capitalise on collaborative robot market growth with its new CanArm model

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Engineering Services Inc is looking to capitalise on growing global demand for collaborative robots with its newly developed cobot. 

ESI says its CanArm C-15 cobot is the result of “several years of research … relying on our rich experience”.

ESI is looking to establish itself in a fast-growing market which has seen tens of thousands of robots sold in the past few years, as well as new companies entering the competition.  [Read more…] about ESI looks to capitalise on collaborative robot market growth with its new CanArm model

Siemens extends its Simatic industrial automation controller range

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Siemens is extending its Simatic automation controller series for PC-based applications.

The distributed automation controllers now include the new, more powerful Simatic ET 200SP Open Controller CPU 1515SP PC 2 – for standard and fail-safe applications up to Performance Level e.

The new Open Controller, which Siemens says is “particularly suitable for series machine building”, combines the functions of a PC-based software controller with visualization, Windows applications and central I/Os (inputs/outputs) in a single compact device.  [Read more…] about Siemens extends its Simatic industrial automation controller range

Siemens to acquire Sarokal to strengthen product lifecycle management business

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Siemens has agreed to acquire Sarokal Test Systems, a provider of test solutions for electronics components, such as integrated circuits. 

Sarokal’s test solutions cover fronthaul networks that are comprised of links between the centralized radio controllers and the radio heads, or masts, at the “edge” of a cellular network.

Sarokal products are used by chipset vendors, fronthaul equipment manufacturers, and telecom operators to develop, test and verify their 4G and 5G network devices from the early design stages through implementation and field-testing.

Tony Hemmelgarn, president and CEO of Siemens PLM Software, says: “The planned acquisition of Sarokal reinforces our ongoing commitment to EDA [electronic design automation] and the IC [integration circuit] industry.  [Read more…] about Siemens to acquire Sarokal to strengthen product lifecycle management business

Rethink Robotics releases new industrial robot software development kit

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Rethink Robotics has launched the Sawyer Software Development Kit, a software upgrade designed for researchers and students to build and test programs on the Sawyer robot.

With a wide range of uses for university research teams and corporate research and development laboratories around the world, Sawyer SDK offers further compatibility with ROS and Open Source robotics tools, as well as an affordable solution to increase access to advanced robotics in the classroom.

Sawyer SDK includes several advanced features that allow users to visualize and control how the robot interacts with its environment.  [Read more…] about Rethink Robotics releases new industrial robot software development kit

GreyOrange to showcase expanded AI-powered Butler range at LogiMat 2018

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Robotics and supply chain automation company GreyOrange will launch its new goods-to-person Butler XL at LogiMat 2018.

The Butler XL can handle a payload of 1600 kgs (3500 lbs) including pallets, drums and sacks. Designed to work in tandem with the current Butler system, this makes it easy to add its new capabilities to existing operations.

The new robotics system will support multi-floor operations with the integration of an elevator. This provides greater flexibility to optimize handling of inventory across a facility.

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