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Record sales of industrial robots in China reported

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Chinese companies bought a record number of robots in 2017, according to the country’s main robotics association, as reported on the Sputnik website. 

Sputnik, which is a media outlet of the formerly communist country of Russia, says China purchased 141,000 industrial robots in 2017, which is an increase of 58 per cent compared with 2016.

Foreign industrial robot makers accounted for nearly three-quarters of the sales figure, but an increasing number of Chinese robot makers are emerging.  [Read more…] about Record sales of industrial robots in China reported

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

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The global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is forecast to reach a record $62.7 billion, according to a report by the industry association SEMI.

The organization says the figure tops the previous record, and that Korea is at the top with China closing the gap.

Releasing its mid-year forecast at the annual Semicon West exposition, SEMI says worldwide sales of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment are projected to increase 10.8 percent to $62.7 billion in 2018, exceeding the historic high of $56.6 billion set last year.  [Read more…] about Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

Groupe PSA and Inria create an artificial intelligence OpenLab

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Groupe PSA and Inria are creating an OpenLab dedicated to artificial intelligence. The studied areas will include autonomous and intelligent vehicles, mobility services, manufacturing, design development tools, design, digital marketing as well as quality and finance.

Carla Gohin, Groupe PSA’s Vice President for Research and Advanced Engineering, said: “Artificial intelligence will quickly become an efficiency factor for the group. The OpenLab will work on artificial intelligence algorithms enabling autonomous vehicles to drive in complex environments for example.

“It will also work on predictive maintenance, powertrain design optimisation and the modelling of complex systems such as cities, to offer mobility services adapted to people’s needs.”

[Read more…] about Groupe PSA and Inria create an artificial intelligence OpenLab

California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

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CMTC and its California’s Manufacturing Network has expanded its capabilities to include advanced robotics and automation consulting for manufacturers in California.

CMTC is one of 51 centers across the US in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is part of the US Government’s effort to develop technology, management and technical expertise for small and medium enterprises focused on improving their productivity and global competitiveness.

As part of the new initiative, Raminder Sandhu has joined CMTC in the position of advanced robotics and automation practice lead.  [Read more…] about California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

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ABB is to acquire AB Rotech, a privately-owned company headquartered in Bursa, Turkey, with nearly 20 years of extensive experience in robotic welding solutions and services for the automotive industry.

The expertise of AB Rotech’s engineering team covers the entire robotics welding lifecycle, from design and commissioning to electrical engineering and customer service.

The parties agreed to not disclose the value of the acquisition. The acquisition is subject to regulatory clearance and is expected to close later this year.

[Read more…] about ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

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Faurecia and Parrot have finalized a proposal which will see the take-over of 100 per cent of Parrot Automotive by Faurecia, ahead of schedule.

The company says the transaction “underlines the importance of Parrot Automotive in Faurecia’s Cockpit of the Future strategy”.

This refers to the general trend of developing what are called “digital cockpits” or virtual dashboards” for new cars and vehicles.

Faurecia says the takeover will “accelerate the development” of infotainment solutions based on the Android operating system by Parrot Automotive and the development of an open platform integrating the different connected systems and functionalities of the vehicle interior.  [Read more…] about Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

Research centre to develop advanced waste-to-energy techniques in Singapore

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JFE Engineering Corporation has set up the Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology in Singapore to carry out research activities on ‘Development of Enhanced Utilisation Methodologies for Direct Melting Gasification’. This innovation centre is a first-of-its-kind for JFE outside Japan.

The centre will aim to develop advanced waste treatment technologies based on a Research Collaboration Agreement with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore using NTU’s upcoming waste-to-energy facility which will feature JFE’s shaft-type gasifying and direct melting furnace.

The main research activities of the centre are: verification of the gasifying and direct melting technology using biomass fuel; exploration and testing of diverse waste treatment; and development and validation of applications for slag produced by the direct melting gasification process.

[Read more…] about Research centre to develop advanced waste-to-energy techniques in Singapore

ArcelorMittal Zenica completes €30 million blast furnace reconstruction

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ArcelorMittal Zenica, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, has completed a €30 million project to rebuild the blast furnace and upgrade other areas of the factory, including the energy, sinter and steel plants and the rolling mill.

The latest projects are bringing the total invested in the Zenica plant to over €200 million. The refurbishment means that integrated steel production can continue in Zenica for up to 20 years into the future.

The project’s completion was marked with a ceremony in the heart of the steelworks, attended by over 200 guests, including Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fadil Novalic and Miralem Galijasevic, Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton. Augustine Kochuparampil and Lutz Bandusch attended on behalf of ArcelorMittal Europe.

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Infographic: The mined minerals inside the devices you use every day

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Think your life isn’t impacted much by the mining industry? Think again.

Without mining, our lives as we know them would be very different: There would be no mass-produced light bulbs, no microwave ovens, no computer monitors.

Even our cell phones are made possible by mining – there’s a world of minerals in mobile devices from copper to quartz to silicon and more.  [Read more…] about Infographic: The mined minerals inside the devices you use every day

Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation says it is making it easy for small- to medium-sized factories to realise the benefits of an Andon system, with the introduction of iQ Monozukuri Andon.

The simple, cost-effective Andon package allows visualisation of production sites using Mitsubishi Electric’s GOT2000 graphic operation terminal and a web browser.

iQ Monozukuri Andon offers pre-engineered project data and software to quickly and easily implement and operate an Andon system, claims the firm.

[Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites