Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Industry

ABB completes acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions

by

ABB has completed its acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions (GEIS), GE’s global electrification solutions business. The transaction was announced on September 25, 2017, and is expected to be accretive to operational EPS in the first year.

The $2.6 billion transaction offers substantial value creation potential within ABB, including growth opportunities to be leveraged from coupling ABB’s digital offering, ABB Ability, with the extensive GEIS installed base.

ABB expects to realise approximately $200 million of annual cost synergies in year five.

[Read more…] about ABB completes acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions

Bosch lays foundation stone for billion-dollar ‘factory of the future’

by

German industrial giant has started construction on a billion-dollar semiconductor manufacturing facility – or, in Bosch’s words, a “factory of the future” in Dresden, Germany.

The company said that the foundation stone laid recently in Dresden is “a key milestone” in the construction of the Bosch Group’s “state-of-the-art” wafer fabrication facility.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2019, when installation of the production machinery will start.  [Read more…] about Bosch lays foundation stone for billion-dollar ‘factory of the future’

Stäubli launches TS2 robot range

by

Staubli‘s new TS2 SCARA series, which made its world debut at Automatica, Stäubli is a four-axis machine with  JCS drive technology, said to give ultra-short cycle times and it’s ‘hygiene design’ opens up new possibilities for use in sensitive environments.

Stäubli Robotics director Gerald Vogt said: “We have given our SCARAs a complete makeover. They are now modular in design and, for the first time, incorporate our very own JCS drive technology which has been setting new standards in our six-axis machines.

“This technology is the key to the enormous performance gains of the four-axis TS2. Hollow shaft technology has made possible a unique cleanroom design which makes external cabling a thing of the past.”

[Read more…] about Stäubli launches TS2 robot range

UPS invests $100 million in automated sorting hub in Paris

by

UPS has officially opened a new 30,000 sqm, advanced technology package sorting and delivery hub outside Paris in Corbeil-Essonnes/Évry.

The new Paris Hub facility, which employs nearly 1,000 people, facilitates cross-border trade and enhances package delivery service in the Île-de-France area.

“This $100 million advanced technology facility spans four soccer fields. And it’s the single biggest investment UPS has ever made in France,” said Nando Cesarone, president of UPS International.

[Read more…] about UPS invests $100 million in automated sorting hub in Paris

DB Schenker offers 3D printing solutions via online portal

by

DB Schenker is the world’s first logistics service provider offering its customers an extensive 3-D printing service. Customers can now upload the 3-D template via the online portal eSchenker, select materials and colour, consult prices, place orders and have the printing delivered.

DB Schenker organises the printing and delivery via its data platform. DB Schenker does not have its own printers, but uses a digital business model within a partner network of start-ups as well as established companies.

Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics, the DB Schenker Enterprise Lab in Dortmund has been analyzing the opportunities and results of 3-D printing since 2015.

[Read more…] about DB Schenker offers 3D printing solutions via online portal

ATI Industrial Automation to demonstrate its ‘innovative’ tool changer at IMTS 2018

by

ATI Industrial Automation is planning to demonstrate its “new and innovative” tool changer at the forthcoming industrial technology trade show, IMTS.

ATI says its MC-10 Manual Tool Changer provides a cost-effective solution for quickly changing tools by hand.

Its compact yet robust design is optimized for collaborative robot applications.  [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation to demonstrate its ‘innovative’ tool changer at IMTS 2018

Fitzpatrick Manufacturing ‘increases efficiency’ with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot

by

CNC machine shop has “increased speed and adaptability” with collaborative automation solution

Fitzpatrick Manufacturing, a CNC machine shop and custom manufacturer, has installed a Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot at its Sterling Heights, Michigan, facility to increase operational efficiency and to counterbalance a tight labor market.

Founded in 1952, Fitzpatrick Manufacturing supplies parts to more than a dozen sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical equipment and oil and gas.

The company is noted for its innovation and regularly brings new technology into the factory to increase speed, improve efficiency and remain competitive.  [Read more…] about Fitzpatrick Manufacturing ‘increases efficiency’ with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot

Top 30 interesting farming automation technologies and companies

by

In this briefing, Robotics and Automation News lists approximately 30 companies and advanced technologies emerging in the agriculture sector

In our recent article, “humorously” entitled “Alien farming technology…”, we mentioned that it might be a good idea to list some of the robotics and automation technologies emerging in the agricultural sector.

Which brings us here, and the slight problem of how to order the list. After minimal discussion, we decided to go random. So this list is not presented in any particular order. Hence the lack of numbers.

However, we do think all the technologies and companies mentioned below are offering something that will bring significant changes to the agricultural sector.  [Read more…] about Top 30 interesting farming automation technologies and companies

Toyota and Denso to consolidate production of components

by

Toyota Motor and its main supplier Denso have agreed to begin considerations toward consolidating the core electronic component operations of both Toyota and Denso within Denso.

Currently, advanced development and mass-production development for Toyota’s electronic components, as well as the production of such components, are conducted by both Toyota and Denso.

The considerations to be made under today’s agreement are to focus on consolidating mass-production development and production within Denso.  [Read more…] about Toyota and Denso to consolidate production of components

ESIT demonstrates new collaborative robot at FabTech Canada

by

ESIT has been demonstrating its new collaborative robot at the recent FabTech Canada event.

The company says its “GCIR” robot platform has successfully passed the “M-phase” review panel, which is probably to do with manufacturing.

“Now, we are going to process the small-quantity phase,” says the company on its website, adding that “our cobot … officially enters the market at the end of August”.  [Read more…] about ESIT demonstrates new collaborative robot at FabTech Canada