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Bosch to assume full control of electric motor manufacturer EM-motive

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Bosch is now assuming full control of EM-motive, one of Europe’s most successful manufacturers of electric motors.

Bosch and Daimler set up EM-motive GmbH as a fifty-fifty joint venture in 2011. Since then, it has manufactured some 450,000 electric motors.

From the establishment of the joint venture, Bosch secured an option to acquire the shares. A complete takeover was thus already an option in the joint venture agreement.

[Read more…] about Bosch to assume full control of electric motor manufacturer EM-motive

SIAF Guangzhou celebrates 10 years as South China’s ‘foremost platform’ for intelligent manufacturing

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Marking its 10th edition this year, SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou (SIAF), the pre-eminent trading platform for intelligent manufacturing solutions in South China, says it will continue to keep pace with the ever-changing industry as the smart factory concept looks set to feature prominently during the show.

Over the past nine years, SIAF has endeavored to stay at the forefront of the industry in a rapidly evolving market. The show has grown steadily to become one of the most important platforms promoting industry convergence as well as business networking. This must-attend event will once again be concurrently held with Asiamold at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou from 10-12 March 2019.

Together, the two shows will utilize 62,000 sqm of exhibition space spanning five halls. It is expected that up to 950 internationally renowned brands will exhibit, attracting over 80,000 visitors from 45 countries and regions. A wide range of application sectors will be featured including automotive engineering, consumer goods, electric engineering, household appliances, mechanical engineering, packaging and printing, medical and pharmaceutical, textile and lighting.  [Read more…] about SIAF Guangzhou celebrates 10 years as South China’s ‘foremost platform’ for intelligent manufacturing

ArcelorMittal commits to ‘ResponsibleSteel’ industry standard

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ArcelorMittal has taken a leading role in forming and committing to ResponsibleSteel, the steel industry’s first multi-stakeholder global certification initiative.

ResponsibleSteel was set up in 2015 as a non-profit organisation to drive a more responsible future for the steel industry.

It will achieve this by building the first global certification program and standard for the entire steel value chain from mining, to production processes, to final stage sales and distribution.

[Read more…] about ArcelorMittal commits to ‘ResponsibleSteel’ industry standard

Australians developing robotic sheep-shearing system

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Australia is facing a human labor shortage in the area of sheep-shearing, just at a time when demand for wool has been increasing. The country has around 73 million sheep and approximately 2,800 shearers.

To try and tackle this problem, the industry association Australian Wool Innovation has been researching and developing robotic sheep-shearing systems. (See video below.)

The organization has been testing delta robots as well as robotic arms. The ones shown in the main picture above were made by Rethink Robotics, which was recently effectively taken over by Hahn Group.  [Read more…] about Australians developing robotic sheep-shearing system

Crouzet extends its range of intelligent electric motors

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Industrial automation company Crouzet has extended its range of intelligent electric motors.

The company says its SQ75 DCmind Brushless 600W motor has integrated electronics and “knows no limit”.

The new motor’s onboard intelligence, its safety functionalities and its communication capabilities, SQ75 offers new applications to Crouzet. This new addition of the DCmind Brushless range is manufactured in France and is available in three versions from 310 W to 600 W.  [Read more…] about Crouzet extends its range of intelligent electric motors

Toilet-cleaning robot goes on sale at Amazon for $500

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Amazon is selling a portable toilet-cleaning robot for $500.

The robot, called “Giddel”, was developed by service robotics company Altan Robotech.

Altan says Giddel scrubs hard to reach places, and that its efficacy has been tested by SGS, an industrial product testing organization.  [Read more…] about Toilet-cleaning robot goes on sale at Amazon for $500

Giant Food Stores puts robots into all its stores

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Giant Food Stores has started installing robots in all its stores, which is at least 172 locations.

The installation is said to be one of the largest applications of in-store robotics innovation in the US.

The robot model, called “Marty”, was developed by Badger Technologies, which specialises in retail automation.  [Read more…] about Giant Food Stores puts robots into all its stores

Festo and Lely unveil new version of milking robot

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Festo and Lely have developed the fifth generation of a milking robot – called “Astronaut A5”.

The companies say the strategic partnership between the two family-owned companies creates “technological advantages” which place them “at the forefront of robotic milking technology”.

The collaboration between Lely and Festo for nearly 20 years demonstrates how a simple customer-supplier relationship can evolve into a strategic partnership on an equal footing.  [Read more…] about Festo and Lely unveil new version of milking robot

ThyssenKrupp takes step towards CO2-free steel production

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Carbon2Chem is off to a good start in the new year. For the first time, thyssenkrupp has produced ammonia from steel mill gases. Ammonia is a chemical used to make fertilisers to improve food production.

Steel mill gases come from steel production and contain, among other things, CO2. It is the first time in the world that steel mill gases, including the CO2 they contain, have been converted into ammonia.

It represents a further milestone in the Carbon2Chem project, which is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to the tune of around 60 million euros.

[Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp takes step towards CO2-free steel production

Construction and mining ‘next frontier’ for robotics adoption, says research company

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The construction and mining industries are the “next frontier” for robotics adoption, according to a report by ABI Research.

In the past, for heavy industry-related locations like mines, robots must either be controlled by teleoperation or navigate autonomously across uneven terrain or within subterranean interiors with little to no human interaction.

This was the same for construction sites, where robots must understand changing floor plans, keep track of inventory, and navigate stairs.  [Read more…] about Construction and mining ‘next frontier’ for robotics adoption, says research company