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Siemens and Bentley Systems raise investment fund to €100 million

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Bentley Systems and Siemens have decided to further strengthen their strategic alliance and extend their existing agreement, increasing the joint innovation investment program from the initial €50 million funding to €100 million.

In addition, as a result of the continuous investment of Siemens into secondary shares of Bentley’s common stock the Siemens stake in Bentley Systems now exceeds 9%.

Klaus Helmrich, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, said: “We are investing in the next collaboration level with Bentley, where for instance we will strengthen their engineering and project management tools with Siemens enterprise wide collaboration platform, Teamcenter, to create a full Digital Twin for the engineering and construction world.”

[Read more…] about Siemens and Bentley Systems raise investment fund to €100 million

Sarcos Robotics raises $30 million in new funding

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Sarcos Robotics, which specializes in making exoskeletons for industry, has raised $30 million in new funding.

The new Series B funding is from a consortium of investors co-led by DIG Investment and Alex Brown & Sons.

Each of the company’s Series A investors also participated in this round, including Caterpillar Ventures, Cottonwood Technology Fund, GE Ventures, Microsoft, Schlumberger and Sarcos’ chairman and CEO, Ben Wolff.  [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics raises $30 million in new funding

SiTime and Bosch partner on innovation in MEMS timing for 5G and IoT

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SiTime Corporation and Bosch have announced a strategic technology partnership to accelerate innovation in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) timing.

SiTime will work with Bosch to develop processes for next-generation MEMS resonator products.

These MEMS resonators are the heartbeat of 5G, IoT and automotive electronics, and will enable the higher speeds of 5G, long battery life of IoT devices and increased reliability of driver assistance systems in the automotive industry.

[Read more…] about SiTime and Bosch partner on innovation in MEMS timing for 5G and IoT

Nippon Steel and Krakatau open steel joint venture in Indonesia

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Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation and PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk have established the joint- venture company PT Krakatau Nippon Steel Sumikin (KNSS) in the Republic of Indonesia for the manufacture and sale of automotive flat steel products.

KNSS started commercial production in July 2017 and on August 7, 2018, an opening ceremony was held at the local plant site in Cilegon, Banten Province. It was attended by representatives from the Indonesian government and the Japanese government as well as customers.

Combined with the high growth potential of the Indonesian automotive market, automakers’ needs for anti-corrosion steel and high-strength steel are expected to grow.

[Read more…] about Nippon Steel and Krakatau open steel joint venture in Indonesia

Omron launches suite of traceability products to extend automation portfolio

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Omron Automation Americas is releasing an array of new traceability products developed within the Omron Microscan Business.

The Hawk MV-4000, MicroHawk ID-45 and HS-360X are now featured products within the company’s complete automation portfolio.

The launch follows the acquisition of Microscan Systems, in late 2017, which Omron says is an ‘industry-leading automation solutions provider” through which the company has gained a wealth of barcode reading and machine vision technologies that dramatically boost its overall automation capabilities.  [Read more…] about Omron launches suite of traceability products to extend automation portfolio

Robot sensor market forecast to reach $4.5 billion by 2024

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The global market for robot sensors is forecast to reach $4.5 billion by 2024.

This is according to a new report on the robot sensor market by Global Market Insights which features the key industry trends across the product, robot type, application, and regional landscape.

GMI says Industry 4.0 or the fourth industrial revolution is the major driving factor fueling robot sensor industry demand.  [Read more…] about Robot sensor market forecast to reach $4.5 billion by 2024

Boise State University to hold smart manufacturing workshop on September 5

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Boise State University is set to hold a workshop which will take an in-depth look at the subjects of robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence.

The Smart Manufacturing – Robotics / Automation / AI Workshop at Boise State University is set for September 5, and there limited seats available.

Readers interested in attending are invited to click on this link to book their place.  [Read more…] about Boise State University to hold smart manufacturing workshop on September 5

Digi-Key bolsters industrial automation portfolio 

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Digi-Key Electronics, a global electronic components distributor, continues to strengthen their offering of Industrial Automation (IA) components, adding over 14,000+ part numbers to their portfolio in categories such as sensors, cables, safety devices, control monitors, relays, timers, switches, lighting, and controllers.

Aside from the product lines from Digi-Key’s traditional suppliers such as Omron, TE, Panasonic, Molex, and others, the company has added 15 new lines and in the past year, including products from Altech, SICK, IDEC, Carlo Gavazzi, and Belden.

“Digi-Key aims to be the industry leader and single source for IA products and solutions for customers all over the world,” said Eric Wendt, Strategic Program Development Director – Industrial Automation at Digi-Key.

[Read more…] about Digi-Key bolsters industrial automation portfolio 

ABB Ability opens ‘marketplace’ for its electrical and industrial apps

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ABB has launched an app store, or marketplace, in which the company now includes its Electrical Distribution Control System and other industrial apps.

The ABB Ability Marketplace has a European version and a US counterpart, Ability being ABB’s industrial internet of things platform.

The company says that, with the unveiling of the ABB Ability Marketplace, in a primary release, ABB is making available its software services in one central online location, offering customers full flexibility to purchase and tailor their digital solutions portfolio.  [Read more…] about ABB Ability opens ‘marketplace’ for its electrical and industrial apps

Hanwha claims to be Japan’s leading solar modules supplier

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Hanwha Q Cells Japan claims it is now “the leading solar module supplier in Japan”, with 770 MW of module shipments in 2017.

Hanwha, which is headquarted in South Korea, says this growth builds upon a strong showing for Hanwha Q Cells Japan in 2016, when the company was the second largest module supplier with 700 MW of shipments.

Hanwha Q Cells Japan first entered the Japanese solar market in 2011. In 2012, the company delivered a relatively modest 50 MW of modules, before rising to become the leading overseas player in 2013 with shipments of 500 MW.  [Read more…] about Hanwha claims to be Japan’s leading solar modules supplier