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Honeywell launches gas metering monitoring solution

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Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) has launched a new gas metering solution that provides monitoring of midstream metering systems for operations, maintenance and leadership teams.

Honeywell Connected Plant Measurement IQ for Gas is said to enhance the metering operation’s reliability and safety while cutting costs by massively reducing the need for site visits.

With advanced diagnostics, at-a-glance dashboards and intelligence analytics, Measurement IQ enables operators to increase metering reliability in the face of skills shortages, dispersed operations and a complex hydrocarbon mix.

[Read more…] about Honeywell launches gas metering monitoring solution

Airbus inaugurates Hamburg’s fourth A320 production line dominated by robots and digital processes

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Airbus has inaugurated the fourth Hamburg, Germany production line for its A320 Family of jet airliners.

Making use of digital technologies and a more flexible industrial setup, Airbus says the “innovative state-of-the-art line is a key enabler for ramping up the single-aisle programme to 60 aircraft per month by mid-2019”.

Frank Horch, Hamburg’s senator of economy, transport and innovation and Thomas Jarzombek, federal government coordinator of German aerospace policy, witnessed the milestone together with Guillaume Faury, president Airbus commercial aircraft, and 500 guests at a special ceremony in Hamburg.  [Read more…] about Airbus inaugurates Hamburg’s fourth A320 production line dominated by robots and digital processes

Bossa Nova Robotics raises $29 million for grocery store robot

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Bossa Nova Robotics has raised $29 million in its latest funding round, according to reports in the media. 

Bossa Nove makes mobile robots that can wander along the aisles of a grocery store and check the shelves to see if any product lines need to be replenished.

Its robots are currently used in 50 Walmart stores, according to the Wall Street Journal.

More as and when we get it.

Fosun acquires automation solutions provider FFT Group

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Fosun International Limited, one of the world’s leading family-focused multinational companies, has agreed to acquire FFT GmbH & Co. KGaA, a global provider of automated and flexible turn-key production systems.

FFT is to be acquired from ATON GmbH, a German family-owned private investment company, through the funds managed by the subsidiaries of Fosun International.

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Fulda, Germany, FFT provides flexible automation turn-key solutions, customized engineering designs, and various smart factory solutions for renowned first-line original equipment makers (‘OEMs’) in Germany, the USA, Japan, China and other countries.

[Read more…] about Fosun acquires automation solutions provider FFT Group

Omron introduces new i4 Scara product family

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Omron Corporation announced at automatica, the automation and robotics exhibition, that it will be introducing a new line of Scara robots, boasting sleek design and enhanced performance.

Named the “i4,” the new generation of Scara robot is claimed to save space during installation and allow easier configuration into existing production lines. The i4 is fast, repeatable, easy to operate and flexible for multiple configurations and applications, says the company.

Manufacturers around the world are facing major challenges in having to produce a high mix low volume of products and shorter product life cycles while dealing with labour shortage issues.

[Read more…] about Omron introduces new i4 Scara product family

Isra Vision claims its sensor system delivers ‘top performance for automated bin picking’

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Robotic perception specialist Isra Vision claims its new sensor duo “delivers top performance for automated bin picking”.

Isra says its enhanced “versionmarket” sensor and a completely new four-camera solution with top speeds in scanning and data processing are taking fully automated bin picking to the next level.

The “extremely fast and robust sensors” reliably meet even difficult production requirements such as harsh environments and short cycle times, adds Isra.  [Read more…] about Isra Vision claims its sensor system delivers ‘top performance for automated bin picking’

Newly-formed OnRobot debuts new products at Automatica

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The newly-formed company OnRobot, a combination of US-based Perception Robotics, Hungary-based OptoForce, and Denmark-based OnRobot, is launching several new products at the ongoing trade show Automatica 2018.

The new products are:

  • the “Gecko Gripper”;
  • the “Polyskin Tactile Gripper”;
  • the “RG2-FT”; and
  • a major technical upgrade of the existing “HEX” force-torque sensor product line based on OptoForce technology.

OnRobot says these “innovative solutions will open up new areas of application for collaborative robotics” at the same time as making implementation “even easier”.  [Read more…] about Newly-formed OnRobot debuts new products at Automatica

Advantech aims for revenues of €350 million in Europe by 2025

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Industrial computer maker Advantech has outlined its European growth strategy as it enters its next phase of IoT development.

One of the company’s main targets is the generation of revenues of €350 million across Europe by 2025.

Advantech is accelerating the establishment of branch locations throughout the region, to “better leverage its 25 years of local industry experience”, says the company.  [Read more…] about Advantech aims for revenues of €350 million in Europe by 2025

Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

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In this article, Robotics and Automation News ponders on the prospects for, and recent history in, America’s manufacturing sector.

One of the main reasons Donald Trump won the US presidential election is because he pledged to revitalise the American manufacturing sector and bring back jobs that have been lost to other nations over the past couple of decades.

Some may argue that he’s done well so far, persuading big-name companies such as Apple and General Motors to increase their investment in manufacturing operations in the US rather than spend the money abroad.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

Robotiq launches ‘first’ gripper ready for Universal Robots’ new e-Series collaborative robot

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Robotic end-effector specialist Robotiq has launched what it claims is the first electric gripper ready for the e-Series, the new generation of collaborative robots from Universal Robots.

Robotiq says the Hand-E was developed within the Universal Robots+ ecosystem. UR+ is like an app shop set up by Universal Robots to enable other companies to develop peripherals and other technologies for use with the company’s robotic arms.

Robotiq says Hand-E’s high accuracy and 50 mm parallel stroke makes it “perfect for precision assembly tasks”. Its sealed design ensures reliability in the toughest manufacturing conditions, adds the company.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches ‘first’ gripper ready for Universal Robots’ new e-Series collaborative robot