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Hitachi Vantara to acquire Rean Cloud to strengthen IIoT offering

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Hitachi Vantara, the industrial internet of things business unit of Hitachi, has agreed to acquire Rean Cloud, a global cloud systems integrator, managed services provider and solutions developer of cloud-native applications across big data, machine learning and emerging internet of things spaces.

Founded in 2013, Rean Cloud has quickly been recognized as a leading cloud systems integrator, earning the status of Amazon Web Services Premier Consulting Partner and Microsoft Azure Silver Partner.

Rean Cloud’s deep hyperscale expertise and industry-leading infrastructure-as-code Rean Cloud Accelerator Platform enable highly automated, intelligent, scalable and secure cloud adoption and managed services.  [Read more…] about Hitachi Vantara to acquire Rean Cloud to strengthen IIoT offering

General Electric to connect 10,000 Aggreko assets to its IIoT network

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General Electric has signed a multiyear supply agreement with Aggreko, a supplier of temporary power and temperature control solutions.

The plan is to connect up to 10,000 assets to GE’s Distributed Power myPlant Asset Performance Management (APM) solution over the next five years.

GE says its myPlant APM is an “original equipment manufacturer-agnostic”, industrial internet of things solution for reciprocating engines and generators, which will provide Aggreko with a digital toolset to manage its equipment fleet.  [Read more…] about General Electric to connect 10,000 Aggreko assets to its IIoT network

IMTS exhibitors to display full range of CNC technologies

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CNCs and Beyond: IMTS 2018 Metal Cutting Pavilion exhibitors to emphasize connectivity, controls, process integration and automation

First came smartphones, then intelligent cars and houses. Now, visitors to the Metal Cutting Pavilion at IMTS 2018 – the International Manufacturing Technology Show, can experience the explosive productivity growth possible with smart, connected machining centers.

“The conversations at IMTS have changed from spindle speeds and traverse rates to how to deliver pertinent information so job shops and manufacturers can better manage their assets,” says Marlow Knabach, executive VP, national engineering, DMG Mori USA.

“To start the conversation, exhibitors in the Metal Cutting Pavilion at IMTS will demonstrate smart machines with the ability to monitor critical elements, such as spindle bearing temperature, spindle vibration, ball screw temperature, coolant level and tool wear to identify potential sources of downtime before they occur.”  [Read more…] about IMTS exhibitors to display full range of CNC technologies

ATS Automation reports $300 million revenue

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ATS Automation Tooling Systems has reported revenue of $300 million for the quarter ending July 1, 2018.

The company says the $300 million is 14 percent higher than the same quarter last year.

Earnings from operations were $27 million (9 percent operating margin), compared to $21.3 million (8 percent operating margin) a year ago.  [Read more…] about ATS Automation reports $300 million revenue

3D Systems and GF Machining Solutions partner on metal part production

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3D Systems and Georg Fischer AG GF Machining Solutions today announced a partnership that will enhance metal parts production and redefine how manufacturers think about their manufacturing environments.

GF Machining Solutions is one of the world’s leading providers of complete solutions to the precision machining industry and to manufacturers of precision components.

By combining the strength of 3D Systems’ innovation and expertise in additive manufacturing with GF Machining Solutions’ renowned leadership in precision machining, this partnership will enable manufacturers to more efficiently produce complex metal parts within tight tolerances, and reduce total cost of operation.

[Read more…] about 3D Systems and GF Machining Solutions partner on metal part production

Apple launches new $300 million clean energy fund in China

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Apple claims its company runs on 100 percent clean energy, and now, the tech giant has agreed a partnership with 10 suppliers to jointly invest in climate change solutions in China.

Apple says this is a “new, first-of-its-kind investment fund in China” to connect suppliers with renewable energy sources.

The company says that, as part of its “commitment to address climate change and increase the use of renewable energy” within its supply chain, 10 initial suppliers and Apple will jointly invest nearly $300 million over the next four years into the China Clean Energy Fund.  [Read more…] about Apple launches new $300 million clean energy fund in China

Hanwha presents ‘Solar Forest’ project to United Nations

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South Korean industrial giant Hanwha has made a presentation at the United Nations in which it explained more about its so-called “Solar Forest” project. 

Hanwha claims to be “the world’s leading solar energy solutions provider”, and established its Solar Forest project in 2011.

Since then, Hanwha claims to have planted 490,000 trees in six new forests in China, Mongolia, and South Korea.  [Read more…] about Hanwha presents ‘Solar Forest’ project to United Nations

Human-robot collaboration combines human and robot strengths, says Schunk

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Schunk is one of the leading suppliers of components to industrial robotic arm manufacturers and other industrial machinery makers. The company held an open day recently in which it outlined its vision of human-robot collaboration, or collaborative robotics, which the company says combines human and robot strengths. 

Schunk starts by asking, and then seeking to answer, the following questions:

  • How can human-robot collaboration be used in everyday production?
  • What safety concepts are there?
  • How can a successful start be made?

These and other concerns were the focus of the second Schunk user and technology dialog on the topic of “Successfully introducing human-robot collaboration in the company”.  [Read more…] about Human-robot collaboration combines human and robot strengths, says Schunk

Atoun introduces powered exoskeleton into food recycling business

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Atoun, which seems to be a business unit of Panasonic, has introduced its powered exoskeleton into a food recycling business, saying that it is targeting the supply of 20 units this year. 

Atoun produces an exoskeleton called “Powered Wear Atoun Model Y”, which it describes as a “wearable robot” for the waist designed to reduce work-induced burdens from the backs of workers and improve work efficiency.

This product was recently introduced to one of the recycling centers of Hamada Kagaku, a company engaged in environmental businesses such as the recycling of used cooking oil and food residue.  [Read more…] about Atoun introduces powered exoskeleton into food recycling business

Omron launches new series programmable multi-axis controller

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Omron has released its new CK3M-series Programmable Multi-Axis Controller that achieves nanoscale motion control for future manufacturing in the digital and automotive industries.

Omron has developed this compact motion controller by combining motion control capability of the programmable multi-axis controller originally created by Delta Tau Data Systems with advanced design technologies that Omron has refined over many years.

Semiconductor devices are now being increasingly miniaturized and 3D-structured.  [Read more…] about Omron launches new series programmable multi-axis controller