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Fanuc reports more than 40 per cent increase in profits on strength of China sales

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The world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, Fanuc, says its profits have increased by more than 40 per cent as a result of strong demand from China, according to a report on Nikkei. 

The company is currently reporting its financial performance for the six-month period up to September.

It says its profits for the period were $750 million, which is more than a 42 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.  [Read more…] about Fanuc reports more than 40 per cent increase in profits on strength of China sales

Top Chinese robot maker Siasun reports revenue increase of 82 per cent

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Siasun Robot & Automation Company, which claims it is China’s leading industrial robot manufacturer, has reported a revenue increase of 82 per cent for the period from July to September, compared with the same period last year. 

Siasun says in its filing that the company’s third-quarter revenue “surged this year as it benefited from China’s industrial rally”.

ShanghaiDaily.com, which is reporting the story, adds that Siasun generated annual growth of 50 per cent in new orders of its industrial robots and for its logistics offerings since December last year.  [Read more…] about Top Chinese robot maker Siasun reports revenue increase of 82 per cent

Auto companies still moving to Mexico despite Nafta uncertainty

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Mexico used to be an attractive place to invest in building manufacturing facilities. It still is. 

The country of 120 million people is still part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which makes importing and exporting to the US easier than it would otherwise be.

And even as US President Donald Trump pushes for a renegotiation of Nafta, manufacturing companies are continuing to choose Mexico as an investment location.  [Read more…] about Auto companies still moving to Mexico despite Nafta uncertainty

Güdel launches ‘pre-configured’ track-based robotic welding solution

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Güdel has launched a pre-configured robot track motion module for arc welding applications, called ArcTrack. 

The company says the new systems delivers “the highest flexibility and reduces lead time by 40 percent”.

Güdel says it has pre-engineered a TrackMotion Floor configuration with an auxiliary shelf to carry welding equipment, large wire spools and torch cleaning and reaming devices with the robot.  [Read more…] about Güdel launches ‘pre-configured’ track-based robotic welding solution

Fanuc claims its new palletising robot is ‘fastest’ in its class

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Fanuc has unveiled a new palletizing robot which it claims is the fastest in its class. 

Fanuc is believed the be the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, and debuted its new robot at Pack Expo a few days ago.

The company says the Fanuc M-410iC/110 is “capable of performing 2040 standard palletizing cycles an hour, making it the fastest palletizing robot in its class”.  [Read more…] about Fanuc claims its new palletising robot is ‘fastest’ in its class

Apple manufacturing partners ‘struggle with low yield rate’

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Apple suppliers “continue to struggle with low yield rate” because the smartphone giant is integrating advanced technologies, requiring investment in new and expensive manufacturing processes, which affect the suppliers’ profit margins, according to Nikkei. 

Apple is planning to launch its $1,000-dollar iPhone X to consumers in the coming months, but the new device includes functions not found in other phones, which is requiring manufacturers to change their processes and invest in new equipment.

Among the features in Apple’s high-end iPhone X will be facial recognition and organic light-emitting diode screens, both of which are new technologies and not found in current Apple devices.  [Read more…] about Apple manufacturing partners ‘struggle with low yield rate’

Yaskawa Electric reports stunning 150 per cent more profits with robotics and automation leading the way

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Yaskawa Electric says it has achieved a staggering 150 per cent growth in net profit for the period from April to September, compared with the same period last year, according to a report on Nikkei. 

Nikkei says Yaskawa’s profits for the period were $184 million, beating its own previous records.

Yaskawa, which also owns the Motoman brand of industrial robot, says most of the growth was due to increased orders for automation equipment from China, Japan and the US.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa Electric reports stunning 150 per cent more profits with robotics and automation leading the way

Cloos and Baumüller find increased efficiency in automated welding technology

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Cloos and Baumüller say they have found efficiencies in the new robotic welding system they have implemented. 

The two companies introduced a platform-independent and scalable control solution last year.

The aim was to achieve the highest level of precision with accelerated dynamics.  [Read more…] about Cloos and Baumüller find increased efficiency in automated welding technology

WinSystems launches new single-board computer for industrial applications

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WinSystems, a provider of industrial embedded solutions, has launched a new single-board computer.

The company says the new PPM-C412 series is designed for demanding environments and applications, and offers a broad spectrum of I/O features and the ability to expand functionality in a densely populated, standalone SBC solution.

The new computer is also PC/104-Plus-compatible, and delivers greater performance and a clear upgrade path for current PPM-LX800 users while providing full ISA-compatible PC/104-Plus expansion, says WinSystems.  [Read more…] about WinSystems launches new single-board computer for industrial applications

Additive manufacturing: It’s a matter of finding the right composition

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The terms “additive manufacturing” and “3D printing” are used interchangeably, although it seems additive manufacturing suggests an industrial context whereas 3D printing has become so widespread that it could be considered a consumer technology now. 

The majority of those who use such processes are, however, makers or manufacturers, meaning they’re on the supply side of the economy rather than the demand side.

Perhaps the reason why 3D printers are not yet completely in the consumer domain is that they’re not totally perfect. The high-end machines can probably get close to perfection, but not at a price point which can unlock consumer markets.  [Read more…] about Additive manufacturing: It’s a matter of finding the right composition