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How autonomous vehicles navigate Samsung semiconductor production lines

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Self-driving cars sit at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the automobile industry, presenting an exciting new opportunity for transport.

While the commercialisation of autonomous driving awaits technological refinement and regulation, Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor production lines are using systems that share similarities with self-driving technologies.

These systems feature the use of Overhead Hoist Transport (OHT) devices that are responsible for carrying materials automatically around the manufacturing facility.

[Read more…] about How autonomous vehicles navigate Samsung semiconductor production lines

Apttus to integrate Siemens product lifecycle management technology to offer greater customization

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Apttus, a software company which specializes in business processes such as quotes and sales, says it will integrate product lifecycle management technology from Siemens within its offering.

The integrated solution will provide customers with unique, end-to-end “Configure Price Quote” solution capabilities that better serve the full breadth of complex use cases, across the spectrum of Configure-to-Order, to custom, Engineer-to-Order.

By leveraging Siemens’ capabilities, such as PLM, 3D visualization, product configuration and design automation, Apttus CPQ is poised to address the most challenging manufacturing industry requirements.  [Read more…] about Apttus to integrate Siemens product lifecycle management technology to offer greater customization

United Technologies to invest $15 billion in US over next five years

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United Technologies says it plans to hire 35,000 people and make investments of more than $15 billion in research and development and capital expenditures in the United States over the next five years.

The company also launched a dedicated site to highlight its investments in the US: www.utcinvestingintheusa.com.

Gregory J. Hayes, chairman & CEO, United Technologies Corporation, says: “United Technologies is growing globally and growing the fastest in the United States.  [Read more…] about United Technologies to invest $15 billion in US over next five years

Kawasaki Robotics offers insight into how industrial robots are made

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Article by Kawasaki Robotics

How are industrial robots built? In this article, Kawasaki Robotics, one of the world’s largest industrial robot makers, provides a guide on the components and the movement of robot arms.

One of the questions many may ask for obvious reasons is: “Are the structures of robots and humans the same?”

Robots and humans share a common feature. Humans and mechanical robots – as opposite as they may seem, they, in fact, share the same underlying structure of links (bones) and joints.  [Read more…] about Kawasaki Robotics offers insight into how industrial robots are made

Kuka demonstrates ‘flexible matrix production’ system based on robotic work cells and automated guided vehicles

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka has demonstrated what calls its “flexible matrix production” system, which is primarily aimed at automotive manufacturing sectors.

Kuka says the system is designed to help prepare manufacturers for “the production of tomorrow”.

The versatile and flexible matrix system is becoming reality, says Kuka.  [Read more…] about Kuka demonstrates ‘flexible matrix production’ system based on robotic work cells and automated guided vehicles

Omron agrees sale of its Laserfront business

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Omron has agreed the sale of its Laserfront business to Towa Corporation, manufacturer of semiconductor molding machines.

Omron and Towa reached the agreement to transfer all those stocks of Omron Laserfront owned by Omron to Towa. The stock transfer will be completed on August 1, 2018.

Omron Laserfront is involved in semiconductor manufacturing and is one of the affiliated companies of Omron Corporation.  [Read more…] about Omron agrees sale of its Laserfront business

Xometry acquires MakeTime and raises $25 million in additional funding

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Xometry, which claims to be the largest on-demand manufacturing platform, has acquired MakeTime, another leading on-demand manufacturing company.

Both are well-known providers of 3D printing services.

This acquisition brings together two of the country’s top manufacturing network platforms. The combined company will operate under the Xometry brand name and have offices in Maryland and Kentucky.

The acquisition will allow Xometry to grow its national partner network of manufacturers from 1,100 to over 2,300 while gaining MakeTime’s enterprise product expertise and features including their Autodesk Fusion add-in and Shop Advantage program.  [Read more…] about Xometry acquires MakeTime and raises $25 million in additional funding

New BMW 8 Series Coupé in production at Dingolfing plant in Germany

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The BMW Group‘s Dingolfing plant began series production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé, the sportscar that will launch the BMW model offensive in the luxury segment.

A large number of digital innovations have also been integrated into the production process, including self-driving transport systems and smart devices.

Intelligent lightweight construction, with a clever mix of materials, including steel, plastic, aluminium and carbon fibre, is used in the body of the new sportscar.

[Read more…] about New BMW 8 Series Coupé in production at Dingolfing plant in Germany

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