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MassRobotics agrees strategic partnership with Thomas H. Lee Partners

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MassRobotics has agreed a strategic partnership with private equity company Thomas H. Lee Partners.

The partnership aims to bring together their extensive market knowledge, expertise, and networks to advance the scaling of automation-related businesses across robotics and artificial intelligence startups.

Based in the Boston area, MassRobotics is one of the first and largest robotics startups escalator in the world. [Read more…] about MassRobotics agrees strategic partnership with Thomas H. Lee Partners

Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

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Robotics and artificial intelligence will drive a deep and transformative change in the agricultural world during the coming decades, according to a new report by IDTechEx.

Seeing, localising, and taking plant-specific intelligent action are no longer the exclusive realm of humans, says the research company.

Machines have demonstrated the technical viability and the emphasis has long shifted to the finer details of return on investment, reliability, business model, and so on. [Read more…] about Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

Dishcraft Robotics raises $20 million in latest funding round to expand its dishwashing business

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Dishcraft Robotics, provider of a commercial dishwashing and dishware delivery service powered by artificial intelligence and robotics, has raised $20 million in Series A1 funding led by new investor Grit Ventures.

Returning investors First Round Capital, Baseline Ventures, Fuel Capital, and Lemnos also participated in the round. To date, Dishcraft has raised $46 million in venture funding.

Marc Randolph, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, and Kelly Coyne, founder and partner at Grit Ventures, will join Dishcraft’s board of directors, joining other prominent board members including Steve Anderson, founder of Baseline Ventures. [Read more…] about Dishcraft Robotics raises $20 million in latest funding round to expand its dishwashing business

Boston Dynamics canine robot Spot gets a job as a terrifying alien sheepdog

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Sheep are often herded using a real sheepdog, clever canines which run around directing the animals into a pen on a farm. 

But a clever software company is conducting a test by replacing the dog with Boston Dynamics’ terrifying canine robot, Spot.

New Zealand is at the very edge of human civilisation on Earth, and the sheep there probably see the robot as an alien. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics canine robot Spot gets a job as a terrifying alien sheepdog

SICK’s launches ‘advanced IO-Link encoders’ to streamline machine controls

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SICK has released “advanced variants” of its AHS36 and AHM36 IO-Link absolute encoders that can harness valuable diagnostic insights for better machine control and availability.

With versatile programming options, they make it easy to integrate data from encoders into localised and ‘edge computing’ configurations to improve the efficiency of automated plant.

All SICK’s AHS36 14-bit (singleturn) and AHM36 26-bit (multiturn) IO-Link absolute encoders achieve quick, easy and economical higher-level fieldbus integration via an IO-Link Master. [Read more…] about SICK’s launches ‘advanced IO-Link encoders’ to streamline machine controls

Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

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Yamazaki Mazak has unveiled a new high-accuracy simultaneous 5-axis vertical machining centre, the Variaxis C-600, suitable for a wide range of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive markets.

Mazak says the C-600, which is the successor machine to the highly successful Variaxis j-600/5X, is being marketed at a “highly attractive price point” to provide a high performance and cost-effective 5-axis solution.

The Variaxis C-600 is characterised by its highly agile performance, with no compromise on rigidity. The compact machine, capable of machining workpieces up to Ø730 mm x H450 mm and 500 kg in weight, has been designed with a large machining envelope and a high-rigidity structure featuring a Ø600 mm fully supported trunnion table with roller gear cam on the B- and C-axes. [Read more…] about Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

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Special Report by Robotics and Automation News in association with SICK

It’s been almost 50 years since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, was established in the United States after much pressure from labour unions seeking more protection for workers.

In the half-century since OSHA’s creation, it is estimated that many thousands of workers’ lives have been saved and countless more have been kept out of harm’s way.

Today, OSHA, an agency of the Department of Labour, is more important than ever as people start returning to work after months of lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused almost 350,000 deaths worldwide to date, and infected 5.5 million more. [Read more…] about 5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

5 Sealing Technologies Commonly Used by Manufacturers Today

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Sealants are formulated with an elastomer that contains inert filler material giving it the elongation and flexibility properties. They have a paste-like consistency that helps in filling gaps between substrates.

Today many adhesive technologies can be modified into sealants, which fall between low-strength caulks and putties and higher-strength adhesives. [Read more…] about 5 Sealing Technologies Commonly Used by Manufacturers Today

ABB offers customized digital tools and start-up service as world gets back to work

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ABB is offering “customized digital tools and start-up services” as the world gets back to work after weeks and months of lockdown as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

ABB says it is offering a “support package” to help restart production lines to support customers’ resumption of operations.

ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business has launched a special package of digital solutions as well as virtual and field service support initiatives to help businesses restart production lines that may have been idle for weeks or months during the Covid-19 pandemic. [Read more…] about ABB offers customized digital tools and start-up service as world gets back to work

Engineering procurement platform Kreatize enters new market with Austrian investors

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Kreatize, which claims to be Germany’s largest procurement platform for mechanical engineering, has received a joint investment from Austrian company B&C Innovation Investments (BCII) and the industrialist Martin Ohneberg.

Kreatize says the new investment – which is described as being in the “mid single-digit million” euro range  – will enable it to expand its business in Austria.

The procurement of industrial components is often a costly, lengthy and non-transparent process. [Read more…] about Engineering procurement platform Kreatize enters new market with Austrian investors