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Systems engineering: An insight from a professional systems engineer

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Systems engineering and systems design might sound fascinating to someone interested in the area of technology and building, making, developing, and organising things. 

But even to understand what the terms mean, from a beginner’s or outsider’s point of view, can be difficult.

And to summarise them probably wouldn’t explain things adequately because they really sound like a big jobs, involving a large number of tasks across many different disciplines and departments.

[Read more…] about Systems engineering: An insight from a professional systems engineer

Camille Bauer Metrawatt launches new product which combines measurement device with programmable logic controller

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Camille Bauer Metrawatt says it has combined the functionality of a highly accurate measurement device for heavy current applications with the capabilities of an integrated programmable logic controller.

The company claims this is the first time such a device – the Centrax CU5000 – has been launched.

With this solution, closely coupled automation tasks can be carried out directly and flexibly by programmable logic, says CBM.  [Read more…] about Camille Bauer Metrawatt launches new product which combines measurement device with programmable logic controller

Novarc Technologies to showcase ‘world’s first collaborative welding robot’ at FabTech

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Novarc Technologies, a Vancouver-based robotics company specializing in the design and commercialization of collaborative robots for industrial applications, says it will be introducing “the world’s first welding collaborative robot” at FabTech.

The company says this is a “groundbreaking step” because, for the pipe welding industry, it demonstrates that robots can enable companies to meet production requirements even where there isn’t a sufficient skilled workforce available.

Novarc says its collaborative robot will be initially available for exclusive demonstration at FabTech, booth #B25100. (A previous Novarc welding system is shown in the picture above.) [Read more…] about Novarc Technologies to showcase ‘world’s first collaborative welding robot’ at FabTech

Mitsubishi Electric and Bimba Manufacturing partner to provide motion solutions

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation and Bimba Manufacturing have agreed a collaboration that will combine Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial automation technology with Bimba’s motion control solutions.

The arrangement brings together Mitsubishi Electric’s servo motors and control products with Bimba’s electric mechanical actuators.

The relationship will allow both companies to benefit from each other’s presence in the industrial marketplace, providing customers with the opportunity to acquire electric motion solutions from a single source.  [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric and Bimba Manufacturing partner to provide motion solutions

Chinese companies bought 80 per cent more robots from Japan this year, says report

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Chinese companies bought 80 per cent more industrial robots in the period from July to September 2017 than they did in the same period last year. 

This is according to the Japan Robot Association, which released a range of statistics which suggest that Chinese manufacturers of smartphones and other electronics products are turning to Japanese companies for their automation requirements.

JRA has yet to release the full report for the period, but Nikkei reports that the association’s members shipped robots valued at a total of $1.72 billion.  [Read more…] about Chinese companies bought 80 per cent more robots from Japan this year, says report

An introduction to product design and development for manufacturing

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Many people have ideas, but actually producing something – sketch, prototype, then final product – from those ideas, and having it mass-manufactured, is a hugely complex, time-consuming and expensive process.

If that product is an electronic and semiconductor technology-based hardware-and-software product, which is increasingly in demand these days, then that’s an even higher level of complexity and stress.

This article tries to provide a starting point, or introduction, for those interested in industrial design or product development, and maybe have ideas for products and want to know how to start the process of getting them manufactured.  [Read more…] about An introduction to product design and development for manufacturing

ABB to showcase ‘broad range’ of welding technologies at FabTech 2017

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ABB says it will feature “a broad range of advanced robotic welding technology designed to enhance safety, quality and productivity” at FabTech 2017

Metal Fabricators of all sizes are adopting robotic automation to maximize throughput, reduce costs and remove people from repetitive tasks and challenging environments.

The exhibit highlights the elevated level of collaboration, digitalization and simplification unique to ABB, which helps achieve these goals while providing fabricators the flexibility to efficiently adapt production as manufacturing continues to trend from mass production to mass customization.

Collaboration comes in the form of YuMi, ABB’s dual-arm collaborative robot that can operate very closely with humans due to its “inherently safe construction”, according to ABB, and is specifically designed to meet the flexible and agile production needs of small parts assembly and material handling applications.  [Read more…] about ABB to showcase ‘broad range’ of welding technologies at FabTech 2017

Chinese manufacturer claims ‘first’ fully automated production line for a type of solar cell

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A Chinese manufacturer called Tongwei has opened a factory which features what is claimed to be the “world’s first” unmanned, fully automated monocrystalline solar cell production line. 

This is according to a report on PV-Tech.org, which says Tongwei is testing the fully automated production system with a view to rolling it out across all its operations.

The company currently has the capacity to produce monocrystalline cell capacity of around 3.4 gigawatts, with an additional 2 GW multicrystalline solar cell capacity.  [Read more…] about Chinese manufacturer claims ‘first’ fully automated production line for a type of solar cell

GE Digital expands industrial internet partnership with Microsoft

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GE Digital has expanded its industrial internet partnership with Microsoft, according to Reuters. 

The two companies had already been working together on further developing GE Digital’s Predix platform.

Manufacturers tend to connect sensors to their machines and then connect the sensors to Predix.  [Read more…] about GE Digital expands industrial internet partnership with Microsoft

As good as a lifelong guarantee: Interview with Fanuc America boss

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Exclusive interview with Neil Dueweke, general manager, automotive new domestic and automotive components group, Fanuc America

Industrial robotics and automation is a complex area for a someone with no background in engineering or any related disciplines. 

Which is why it’s always interesting to ask for the observations of experts who work within the sector.

Fanuc has a greater number of industrial robots installed worldwide than any other company – some 400,000 at last count. By that measure, it’s the biggest industrial robot company in the world.

And as Neil Dueweke (main picture), general manager, automotive new domestic and automotive components group, Fanuc America, explains in this exclusive interview with Robotics and Automation News, installation is by no means the end of the relationship with a customer.  [Read more…] about As good as a lifelong guarantee: Interview with Fanuc America boss