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Panasonic opens arc and laser welding technical centers in Michigan and Ohio

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Panasonic has opened technical centers for arc and laser welding technologies in Farmington Hills, Michigan and Hilliard, near Columbus, Ohio.

Opening ceremonies were recently held in both locations for over 50 executives from the automotive and related industries.

Attendees experienced hands-on technology demonstrations, learned about future new product and technology introductions, and attended welding technology seminars during the course of the celebratory events.  [Read more…] about Panasonic opens arc and laser welding technical centers in Michigan and Ohio

IFR’s projected growth of collaborative robots market ‘in line’ with Universal expectations

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The International Federation of Robotics’ new report into the global industrial robotics market predicts significant growth in the collaborative robotics segment.

Universal Robots is widely regarded as the market leader in collaborative robots, having been the first to launch such machines almost 10 years ago and having sold more than 10,000 units since.

Having started out in Denmark, Universal Robots is now part of the US industrial giant Teradyne.  [Read more…] about IFR’s projected growth of collaborative robots market ‘in line’ with Universal expectations

Dassault Systèmes to acquire simulation software company Exa

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Industrial design software giant Dassault Systèmes has agreed to acquire Exa Corporation, a provider of simulation software for product engineering.

Exa is based in Burlington, Massachusetts-based, and Dassault Systèmes is headquartered in France, and is now believed to be the one of the largest software companies in Europe by revenue.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes will commence a tender offer within the next 10 business days to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Exa common stock for a price of $24.25 per share payable in cash upon completion of the offer.  [Read more…] about Dassault Systèmes to acquire simulation software company Exa

Dassault Systèmes launches SolidWorks 2018

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Dassault Systèmes has launched the latest version of its SolidWorks 3D design and engineering application. 

The company says SolidWorks 2018 features an integrated, end-to-end solution for the design to manufacturing process that enables businesses of any size to rethink their approach to how parts and products are made and quickly bring innovative ideas to market in today’s experience economy.

Powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DExperience platform, which is probably a product lifecycle platform, SolidWorks 2018 is said to support a business’ complete design through manufacturing strategy with solutions that simplify the interactions between disciplines across the product development workflow.  [Read more…] about Dassault Systèmes launches SolidWorks 2018

Electronics industry boosting sales of industrial robots

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The global growth in the number of data centres, and the corresponding growth in the manufacturing of servers, could provide opportunities for robot makers 

The electrical and electronics sector is one of the fastest-growing markets for the industrial robotics and automation industry. 

The sector bought almost as many industrial robots as did the automotive sector, traditionally the biggest buyer of industrial robots.

This is partly confirmed by new data and analysis by the International Federation of Robotics, but mostly, it can be gleaned from anecdotal evidence all around. [Read more…] about Electronics industry boosting sales of industrial robots

Kawasaki sells 2,000 duAro units in China, looking to sell even more robots amid labour shortages

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Kawasaki Robotics has sold 2,000 units of its duAro dual-armed collaborative industrial robot in China, according to a report on Bloomberg.com. 

The company is now looking to increase sales to 5,000 units of duAro as the country’s industrial sector struggles with labour shortages.

As anomalous as it seems for a country with 1.4 billion people, China is facing labour shortages – believed to be caused by the one-child policy, introduced in 1979 when the country first started moving to a more capitalist-style economy.  [Read more…] about Kawasaki sells 2,000 duAro units in China, looking to sell even more robots amid labour shortages

Universal Logic to supply 100 Neocortex robotic systems for Agricultural Robotics

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Universal Logic is to provide 100 of its Neocortex robotic systems to Agricultural Robotics. 

The two companies have entered a memorandum of understanding which stipulates the provision of artificial intelligence systems for automation in agriculture.

Agricultural Robotics is a consortium of strawberry plant suppliers representing 80 per cent of the strawberry nursery production in North America, producing 500 million plants a year.  [Read more…] about Universal Logic to supply 100 Neocortex robotic systems for Agricultural Robotics

Kuka to double production capacity in China in bid to overtake ABB and Fanuc

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Kuka is determined to take advantage of its alliance with Chinese household appliances manufacturing giant Midea to become the largest robot maker in China. 

Already one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, Kuka was taken over by Midea some months ago in a move currently being scrutinised by the European Union, which may change its merges and acquisitions policies as a result.

Such technicalities aside, Kuka is bullish about opportunities in China and has reportedly decided to double its production capacity in the country.  [Read more…] about Kuka to double production capacity in China in bid to overtake ABB and Fanuc

US trade boss warns of oversupply of bad robots because of Chinese government subsidies

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China’s appetite for industrial robots is big and growing. Already the largest buyer of the machines, domestic companies are being encouraged by the Chinese government to build more robots locally, not just import them from overseas. 

Such high-powered encouragement has led to the establishment of numerous robot manufacturers in the country, some of which take advantage of government subsidies.

This has prompted criticism from US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross (main picture), who grumbled about a range of issues, but singled out China’s burgeoning robotics industry, which he apparently believes is built mainly on government subsidies.  [Read more…] about US trade boss warns of oversupply of bad robots because of Chinese government subsidies

Mitsubishi releases new widescreen human machine interface

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Mitsubishi has released a new widescreen human machine interface.

The company says demand for operational efficiencies such as greater visualization into a factory’s automation solutions portfolio has prompted it to launch the new GT25 Wide HMI.

The GT25 Wide HMI is an interface that monitors and controls machine components with a graphical touchscreen that connects to equipment such as programmable logic controllers, variable frequency drives and servos. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi releases new widescreen human machine interface