Robotics & Automation News

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Industry

Skills shortage could slow down the manufacturing sector, says report

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Manufacturers are concerned that skilled labor shortage could stymie innovation, finds LEK Consulting survey

Most US manufacturers agree that increased growth and investment opportunities are on the horizon, despite some of the uncertainties related to global trade.

But they say a major issue looms: Where are the skilled workers for the digital factories of the future?

In a recent survey of 200 decision-makers across seven manufacturing industries, global management consulting firm LEK Consulting found that four out of five US manufacturers are preparing for an increase in automation technology, with only 18 percent of companies saying they have minimal plans for automation.  [Read more…] about Skills shortage could slow down the manufacturing sector, says report

Merkel blocks Chinese bid to buy German industrial company

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The German government has blocked a Chinese bid to buy another of the country’s industrial companies, according to a report on IndustryWeek.com. 

A deal had been discussed for China’s Yantai Taihai Group to take over Leifeld Metal Spinning, an industrial machine builder established in 1891.

Industry Week reports that Yantai had already withdrawn the bid before the German government issued its veto, but the current business environment appears to be different from what it was a couple of years ago.  [Read more…] about Merkel blocks Chinese bid to buy German industrial company

General Electric puts Predix IIoT platform and its digital business up for sale

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General Electric is looking to sell its digital business, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. 

The sale would include Predix, GE Digital’s industrial internet of things platform.

Predix was claimed to be the first IIoT platform when it was launched a couple of years ago, and GE Digital was said to be generating approximately $4 billion a year in revenues at some point.  [Read more…] about General Electric puts Predix IIoT platform and its digital business up for sale

ABB Control Technologies and Actemium sign global cooperation agreement

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ABB Control Technologies, the market leader in Distributed Control Systems (DCS) for over 15 years, and Actemium, the Vinci Energies brand dedicated to industry and worldwide major player in industrial processes, signed a global agreement in June to significantly expand their existing relationship.

The purpose of this agreement is to enable customers to access best in class control and automation solutions combining the strengths from both companies: global reach, deep domain expertise, extensive product offering, market leading engineering capabilities and most importantly, a strong portfolio of industrial digital solutions.

The collaboration agreement is focused on industries with a high growth rate, usually characterised by short product cycles and quick launch times.

[Read more…] about ABB Control Technologies and Actemium sign global cooperation agreement

ABB invests in soft robotics to transform pick and place processes

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ABB is backing a new technology which will enable robots to pick up and handle fragile items that would be damaged if current grippers were used. 

ABB Technology Ventures is ABB’s strategic venture capital investment arm. ATV finds the startup partners from which ABB can best benefit, both strategically and financially.

ABB’s partnership with Soft Robotics provides a perfect example of how proactive engagement with a startup can make all the difference when it comes to improving innovation processes.  [Read more…] about ABB invests in soft robotics to transform pick and place processes

Capacity partners with RightHand Robotics to further automate fulfilment operations

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Capacity LLC, an order fulfilment, e-commerce, and electronic data interchange (EDI) company, has partnered with the robotic piece-picking experts at RightHand Robotics.

The collaboration will integrate the Massachusetts-based company’s RightPick automation system into Capacity’s fulfilment solution offering.

The robotic workcells will be integrated with existing warehouse material handling systems, such as those from Lightning Pick, and will increase the level of automation.

[Read more…] about Capacity partners with RightHand Robotics to further automate fulfilment operations

Mitsubishi to present its ‘single-source manufacturing’ solutions at IMTS

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation will present its single source manufacturing solutions at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, being held September 10-15, 2018 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Visitors to booth 134102 will see some of Mitsubishi Electric’s most advanced, integrated factory automation products in action, including industrial internet of things systems, the M8 CNC series control platform, FR series robots, 5-axis machining and a fully automated manufacturing (FAM) cell.

The company’s theme for this year’s show is “Running the Smartest Machines in the World”, which conveys that through a range of integrated products.  [Read more…] about Mitsubishi to present its ‘single-source manufacturing’ solutions at IMTS

Smart manufacturing platforms: Industrial giants face diverse competition

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Whether you call them IIoT platforms or smart manufacturing platforms, large industrial companies are finding themselves competing with each other but also new companies from different markets, specifically the computer tech world

Every factory is different. It’s in a different location, makes different things, and uses different methods and systems. 

However, every factory shares some aspects of its operation with every other factory.

At the base level, it obviously requires a building. That building needs to have power and other utilities supplied to it. The machinery – whether it includes robotics and automation equipment or not – these days, are more than likely connected to computing devices and the internet.  [Read more…] about Smart manufacturing platforms: Industrial giants face diverse competition

Timken to acquire precision drive company Cone Drive

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The Timken Company, an engineered bearings and power transmission products firm, has reached an agreement to acquire Cone Drive, a specialist in precision drives used in diverse markets including solar, automation, aerial platforms and food and beverages.

Cone Drive sales are expected to be slightly above $100 million for the full year 2018. It is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, U.S., and has manufacturing operations in the United States and China. The company employs approximately 500 people.

The business produces a broad range of highly customisable precision drive products that include Cone Drive and H-Fang branded high-torque worm gears, harmonic solutions and precision slew drives.

[Read more…] about Timken to acquire precision drive company Cone Drive

Rethink Robotics signs up new distribution partners

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Rethink Robotics has signed deals with seven new distribution partners throughout the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific to increase the availability of its smart, collaborative robots.

The company’s Sawyer robot is a smart automation solution to address challenges such as labour shortages and improve efficiencies across industries such as plastics, packaging and co-packing, metal fabrication, electronics and the automotive supply chain.

The new partners will join Rethink’s existing suite of partners to help meet the growing demand for Sawyer in North America, Europe and Asia. Rethink Robotics’ cobot solution includes industry-leading Intera software and the Clicksmart gripper technology, which make it easy to train and deploy.

[Read more…] about Rethink Robotics signs up new distribution partners