Robotics & Automation News

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Nidec to showcase latest robotic components and haptic devices

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Leading components supplier gearing up for CES 2019

Autonomous machines are set to play an indispensable role in the future – not only in factories and warehouses, but also in people’s homes.

In addition to improving the efficiency of manufacturing lines, robots also have the potential to make our lives more comfortable by taking care of menial tasks, or augmenting human capabilities through technologies like powered exoskeletons.

Highly sophisticated robots use dozens – sometimes even hundreds – of motors and gearboxes.  [Read more…] about Nidec to showcase latest robotic components and haptic devices

Occupational safety: Where workers fear to tread

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Even now, after decades of government-directed safety regulations, factories and industrial environments can still be extremely dangerous places for humans to work in.

Despite the current trend towards collaborative robots and the largely conceptual framework of all-pervasive cyber-physical systems, where previously dangerous machines – such as industrial robotic arms and autonomous mobile vehicles – are increasingly designed to be inherently safe for humans to work directly with, thousands of deaths and injuries still occur in workshops and on the shop floor.

Statistics released by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration show that more than 5,000 workers were killed on the job over the course of 2016 in the US alone, although this figure includes data from many different sectors, not just manufacturing, logistics and industry.  [Read more…] about Occupational safety: Where workers fear to tread

ABB to introduce cable protection with smart devices

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The new Cable Protection System smart sensor technology, currently under development in ABB’s Research & Development facility in Switzerland, will be designed to sense such problems as condensation or rising temperatures in the conduit that protects critical electrical cables.

Using the analytical power and secure cloud-based communication of the ABB Ability platform, the system will remotely report and analyse data, allowing facility managers and engineers to keep tabs on their electrical cable protection through smart phones, laptops or other remote devices.

ABB is already producing smart sensors for motors, pumps and mounted bearings, which effectively converts them into smart, wirelessly connected devices.

[Read more…] about ABB to introduce cable protection with smart devices

DAB Pumps digitalises with Siemens MOM

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Siemens has announced that DAB Pumps has selected the Siemens PLM Software Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) portfolio as part of its digitisation strategy.

Siemens’ MOM portfolio integrates the digital threads of product lifecycle management (PLM) with automation and ERP, breaking down the traditional data silos and allowing a two-way flow of communication.

Through the latest generation of Siemens PLM Software’s MOM solution, DAB Pumps can access Siemens PLM Software’s industry-specific best practices.

[Read more…] about DAB Pumps digitalises with Siemens MOM

Sunstone Welders launches smart welding systems

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Sunstone Welders is launching a whole new line of smart micro resistance welding systems. The Sunstone Capacitive Discharge Dual Pulse Advanced (CDDP-A) welding systems are production ready with feedback, reporting, and full weld head control.

The CDDP-A is equipped with an 8″ full colour touch screen display. The CDDP-A interface provides an easy way for users to adjust production settings, including multiple PLC protocols, cloning options, weld monitoring, and SPC tools. In addition, the welding results are visible on the screen as the weld is completed and results can be exported to any computer.

Capacitive Discharge welding is an ideal solution for micro welding or joining. CD Welding is highly repeatable, can achieve quick energy release for welding highly conductive metals, and is not affected by line voltage fluctuations.

Hoffmann + Krippner launches new miniature ultrasonic sensor

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Hoffmann + Krippner has launched what it claims is “the first ultrasonic sensor in a completely encapsu­lated, gap-free stainless-steel housing”.

Hoffmann + Krippner says its new model P53-80-D18 is a compact (45mm long and 18mm diameter) ultrasonic sensor, and is one of the smallest ultrasonic sensors on the market worldwide and is designed for use in harsh environmen­tal conditions as well as in hygienic applications.

Due to the special housing construction made of V4A stainless steel (1.4404) with a roughness depth of 0.6μm, the P53 Steel Head is well suited for use in harsh environments such as dust, moisture and water vapor.  [Read more…] about Hoffmann + Krippner launches new miniature ultrasonic sensor

Toyota develops world’s first general-purpose hydrogen burner for industrial use

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Toyota Motor Corporation has developed the world’s first general-purpose hydrogen burner for industrial use in collaboration with Chugai Ro Co., Ltd. The burner is in use today at the forging line in Toyota’s Honsha Plant.

In conventional hydrogen burners, hydrogen reacts rapidly with oxygen, leading to a high flame temperature and environmentally hazardous NOx emissions.

On account of this, the practical use of hydrogen burners has proved challenging. The newly developed burners incorporate two new structures that enable hydrogen to combust more slowly.

[Read more…] about Toyota develops world’s first general-purpose hydrogen burner for industrial use

BISTel partners with Siemens on MindSphere applications for predictive maintenance

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BISTeL, a provider of adaptive intelligent (AI) applications for smart manufacturing, has joined the MindSphere Partner Program, Siemens’ partner program for Industrial IoT solution and technology providers.

BISTel applications are expected to be available on the MindSphere platform Q1 2019.

The company has an advanced data analytics platform, eDatalzyer, and a real-time, health monitoring and predictive maintenance (HMP) solution, which will connect with the MindSphere cloud-based, open Industrial IoT platform.

[Read more…] about BISTel partners with Siemens on MindSphere applications for predictive maintenance

Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing Experiencing Visual Sales Revolution

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By Thomas R. Cutler

The most immediate and critical impact on the bottom-line can be found in the sales process. Over the past decade more manufacturers have become understandably enamored with the margins which exists in the ETO (engineer-to-order) space. Sadly, until now poor job quoting processes have consumed the competitive margins, even generating an unprofitable manufacturing project.

Nearly two-thirds of global manufacturers are now ETO. Due to customer demand for customization there has been a significant increase in demand for custom manufacturing versus repetitive manufacturing.

New best practice technologies have finally allowed the quoting process to capture every permutation and cost consideration prior to submitting a proposal or request for quote (RFQ).  [Read more…] about Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing Experiencing Visual Sales Revolution