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ABB launches Optimold Control for in-mold casting

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The recently launched ABB Ability Optimold Control system corrects metal casting problems in the mold and ensures that casting takes place under optimal conditions.

It works in real-time, using feedback from a high-resolution sensor system (such as ABB Ability Optimold Monitor) to actively control electromagnetic devices such as stirrers or brakes which can influence fluid flow.

Combining with ABB’s existing product suite for steel manufacturers, the controller is claimed to give instant and optimal process control in the mold, resulting in higher product quality, improved productivity and enhanced efficiency in the slab casting process while helping avoid quality downgrades.

[Read more…] about ABB launches Optimold Control for in-mold casting

Cobalt Robotics raises $35 million Series B funding with Coatue

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Cobalt Robotics has raised $35 million in its Series B funding round, led by Coatue.

The company says the investment round will enable it to expand its security robots-as-a-service throughout the US.

Cobalt Robotics is a physical security service provider that builds indoor autonomous robots to make security and facility operations more effective. [Read more…] about Cobalt Robotics raises $35 million Series B funding with Coatue

John Deere in exclusive partnership with Wentworth Club to supply golf course maintenance equipment

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Wentworth Club and John Deere have agreed a new, exclusive partnership for the supply of golf course maintenance equipment to the world famous West, East and Edinburgh Championship Courses at Virginia Water in Surrey, from spring 2019.

The deal includes automated and autonomous vehicles and equipment.

Wentworth Club has been the host venue since 1984 for the PGA Championship tournament, which is regarded as the flagship event on the European Tour. [Read more…] about John Deere in exclusive partnership with Wentworth Club to supply golf course maintenance equipment

Automating Business Intelligence to Access Meaningful and Predictive Data

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By Søren Block Olsen, director of marketing at TARGIT Business Intelligence & Analytics

According to a recent Gartner survey, 80 percent of manufacturers only measure results. They measure past performance by looking at the results in the financial statements.

Even the most diligent Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma Theory of Constraint practitioners do not know what impacted these results, or what is best done to improve going forward.

Too often manufacturing firms, even top-tier operations managers, use company analyses or reports which neglect to ask why outcomes failed. [Read more…] about Automating Business Intelligence to Access Meaningful and Predictive Data

Kerlink and Tata Communications launch partnership to expand LoRaWAN network deployments

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Kerlink, a specialist in solutions dedicated to the internet of things, and Tata Communications Transformation Services (TCTS), have formed a partnership to promote and deploy LoRaWAN IoT networks globally.

The partnership was announced at the LoRa Alliance three-day All Members Meeting in Berlin. LoRaWAN stands for long-range wide area network.

Kerlink and TCTS will demonstrate to telecom carriers, start-up IoT connectivity providers, cities and large multinationals how LoRa technology is one of the most responsive and reliable protocols for IoT connectivity. [Read more…] about Kerlink and Tata Communications launch partnership to expand LoRaWAN network deployments

JMP Solutions earns new control system integration certification

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JMP Solutions, industrial technology partner to Fortune 1000 companies, has earned CSIA Certified status in the Control System Integrators Association “Best Practices and Benchmarks” certification program.

This marks the 13th year JMP has held this coveted certification with CSIA, after receiving its initial certification in 2006. JMP is one of only 83 companies in the world that is CSIA certified.

JMP Solutions earned the certification following a successful audit administered by an independent consulting firm that assessed its performance against client-centric criteria in a wide range of business, project management, and system development categories. [Read more…] about JMP Solutions earns new control system integration certification

Hydrogen fuel cell company Plug Power acquires EnergyOr

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Plug Power, a provider of hydrogen engines and fueling solutions enabling e-mobility, has acquired EnergyOr. 

The transaction involves technology, assets, and personnel, but the financial terms have not been disclosed.

EnergyOr is based in Montreal, Canada, and is the leader in advanced lightweight and compact PEM (proton-exchange membrane) hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) systems for robotics, small scale material handling and aerospace applications. [Read more…] about Hydrogen fuel cell company Plug Power acquires EnergyOr

Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

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Six innovative companies have been nominated for the grand prize at the microtechnology trade show EPHJ, the leading showcase for watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors.

The jury of experts of the 2019 EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Fair has selected six highly innovative projects for the Exhibitors’ Grand Prix to be voted on by the exhibitors to select and announce the winner at the show, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18-21 June.

Levitation of machines, the green properties of supercritical CO2, machine learning algorithms, new hope for the 16 million people suffering from retinal vein occlusion, a machine that is mightier than a spark and a new fine-layer treatment process are just a few of the spectacular innovations proposed by the six nominees for the 2019 Exhibitors’ Grand Prix selected by the Jury for the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show. [Read more…] about Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

JMP Solutions acquires Hi-Def Controls

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JMP Solutions has acquired Calgary-based Hi-Def Controls, enhancing their presence in Western Canada while benefitting from additional competencies specifically in the oil and gas, water and wastewater, and power systems industry segments.

The two organizations say they are “a natural fit” not only due to their focused industry alignment, but most notably, their common customer-centric philosophy, which revolves around supporting their clients throughout the lifetime of their systems, not just for the length of the project; a culture which truly sets them apart from the bulk of the System Integrator market.

Scott Shawyer, JMP president and CEO, says: “We are very happy that the Hi-Def team has decided to join us at JMP. Their capabilities are world class and allow us to ensure our customers have effective strategies in place for managing and optimizing their systems, information and technologies. [Read more…] about JMP Solutions acquires Hi-Def Controls

NASA selects first three companies for commercial moon landing technologies

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Three companies awarded total of $250 million to develop lunar technology

NASA has selected three commercial Moon landing service providers that will deliver science and technology payloads under Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) as part of the Artemis program.

Each commercial lander will carry NASA-provided payloads that will conduct science investigations and demonstrate advanced technologies on the lunar surface, paving the way for NASA astronauts to land on the lunar surface by 2024.

Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator, says: “Our selection of these US commercial landing service providers represents America’s return to the Moon’s surface for the first time in decades, and it’s a huge step forward for our Artemis lunar exploration plans. [Read more…] about NASA selects first three companies for commercial moon landing technologies