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Kuka expected to roll out collaborative robot on autonomous platform in more factories

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Kuka is expected to make its mobile collaborative robot available to more factories, partly as a result of its takeover by Midea, the Chinese home appliances manufacturer. 

Midea has many large factories where a mobile robot which can also pick and place objects would be very useful.

Kuka’s collaborative robot is called iiwa, and it’s already in use at various large companies, including automotive giant BMW.  [Read more…] about Kuka expected to roll out collaborative robot on autonomous platform in more factories

Glassblower Hofmann employs Universal Robots machine to manage delicate glass process

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Traditional glassblowing company Hofmann Glastechnik is utilising two collaborative robots to automate a part of the production process. 

The Universal Robots machines are tasked with picking and placing highly sensitive glass tubes into a forming machine.

This relieves the family-owned company’s human employees from what is one of the most repetitive and monotonous tasks in the facility.  [Read more…] about Glassblower Hofmann employs Universal Robots machine to manage delicate glass process

Norautron recruits ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to help with Abax electronics manufacturing

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Norautron, an electronics manufacturer based in Norway, has invested in the ABB YuMi collaborative robot to help the company meet additional demands relating to a manufacturing agreement with Abax, a supplier of electronics for cars and other road vehicles. 

Norautron fully automatic robotic work cell is said to be able to manufacture, assemble, mark and pack four unique products.

With this new cell, hardware can be assembled in Norway at a competitive cost level, says the company.  [Read more…] about Norautron recruits ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to help with Abax electronics manufacturing

HMK claims new collaborative robot is world’s first to have integrated vision

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Industrial automation company HMK has launched what it claims is the world’s first collaborative robot with integrated vision. 

UK-based HMK’s vision system is built into a robotic arm built by Techman Robot, a Taiwanese company.

HMK says its TM5 Cobot system “sets a new benchmark” in collaborative robotics because it merges systems that usually function separately in conventional robots.  [Read more…] about HMK claims new collaborative robot is world’s first to have integrated vision

Arrow Electronics to supply Bosch sensors for industrial internet applications

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Arrow Electronics has signed a global distribution agreement with Bosch Sensortec to supply Bosch Sensortec products.

Bosch is a leading supplier of microelectromechanical systems sensors worldwide.

It has built on an initial base in automotive applications to expand its offering to consumer electronics markets and now provides a diverse portfolio of MEMS devices for the internet of things.  [Read more…] about Arrow Electronics to supply Bosch sensors for industrial internet applications

GE Digital launches new version of manufacturing execution system

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GE Digital has launched the latest version of its manufacturing execution system software, Production Manager.

The company says the new version of Production Manager addresses important issues where existing plant floor IT systems are inconsistent across plants and, therefore, managers can’t re-use configurations, leverage expertise, or lower overall MES costs.

The software completely digitizes paper-based processes so companies can increase production output per person, reduce reporting and administration, decrease defects and material required, and ensure up-to-date routes and work instructions.  [Read more…] about GE Digital launches new version of manufacturing execution system

ST Robotics launches ‘Workspace Sentry’ collaborative robot

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ST Robotics has launched its “Workspace Sentry” collaborative robotics safety system.

The company says the cobot is specifically designed to meet the International Organization for Standardization Technical Specification 15066 on collaborative operation.

ST Robotics describes the new ISO/TS 15066 as a “game changer for the robotics industry”, as it provides guidelines for the design and implementation of a collaborative workspace that reduces risks to people.  [Read more…] about ST Robotics launches ‘Workspace Sentry’ collaborative robot

On Robot launches customizable grippers for collaborative robots tasked with multi-size objects

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On Robot, a Danish manufacturer of electric grippers for collaborative robots, has launched a “flexible and energy-efficient” gripper for cobots tasked with handling objects of various sizes. 

On Robot says the new gripper is easy to install on the arm of a cobot and simple to program.

The RG6 gripper is a bigger and stronger version of the company’s popular RG2, with higher payload than other two-finger collaborative grippers available on the market today.  [Read more…] about On Robot launches customizable grippers for collaborative robots tasked with multi-size objects

Kuka wins multi-million-dollar order to supply robotic work cell to make batteries for electric vehicles

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Industrial robotics and automation company Kuka Industries has received an order from what it says is “a leading European manufacturer in the automotive industry” to supply a battery production system. 

Kuka Industries, which is part of Kuka, would not say which company it was which placed the order, but it has supplied the same company before with a similar system, and now the customer seems to be selling or expecting to sell more electric cars, or maybe battery systems for electric vehicles.

Kuka says the order value lies in the “mid-double-digit million euro range” and was booked in the second quarter of 2017. Start of production is planned for mid-2019.  [Read more…] about Kuka wins multi-million-dollar order to supply robotic work cell to make batteries for electric vehicles

General Electric resumes talks to sell its industrial solutions business to ABB

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General Electric has resumed negotiations to sell its industrial solutions business to ABB, according to a report on Reuters.com. 

The US conglomerate’s industrial solutions business includes products such as circuit breakers, relays, panel boards and other technologies for sectors including power generation, telecommunications and mining.

Swiss company ABB had previously talked to GE about possibly purchasing the business, and the price it offered was said to be $2 billion.  [Read more…] about General Electric resumes talks to sell its industrial solutions business to ABB