Robotics & Automation News

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Manufacturing

Soft Robotics using Nvidia simulation technology to develop its gripping system

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Soft Robotics has applied Nvidia Isaac Sim’s synthetic data to food processing automation in efforts to improve safety and increase production.

Developers have been striving to close the gap on robotic gripping for the past several years, pursuing applications for multibillion-dollar industries. Securely gripping and transferring fast-moving items on conveyor belts holds vast promise for businesses.

Soft Robotics, a Bedford, Massachusetts startup, is harnessing Nvidia Isaac Sim to help close the sim to real gap for a handful of robotic gripping applications. One area is perfecting gripping for pick and placement of foods for packaging. [Read more…] about Soft Robotics using Nvidia simulation technology to develop its gripping system

Forvia increases logistics productivity with fleet of MiR robots

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Forvia, a top-tier automotive technology supplier, says it has increased its logistics productivity, strengthened stability of production processes and decreased safety risks with a fleet of robots robots from Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR).

The return of investment from the 14 autonomous mobile robots working in the Faurecia Clean Mobility plant in Písek, Czech Republic was less than two years.

Seven of Forvia’s heavy duty MiR robots, mainly MiR600s, work in the area of finished goods, bringing empty pallets to the assembly lines and picking up full pallets to transport to the logistics area. [Read more…] about Forvia increases logistics productivity with fleet of MiR robots

Automation specialist B&R looking for hundreds of new employees as it significantly expands production

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The ABB Group is expanding production at B&R, its global center for machine and factory automation based in Eggelsberg, Austria.

Now that the global supply chain bottlenecks have eased recently, B&R wants to meet the high customer demand for automation solutions as quickly as possible.

Just this summer, ABB opened a new global innovation and education campus in Innviertel, Upper Austria. In the course of this, production is now also being significantly expanded. [Read more…] about Automation specialist B&R looking for hundreds of new employees as it significantly expands production

BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

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BMW Group Plant Leipzig’s first cell coating line has gone into series operation as e-component production at the site continues to gain momentum.

By 2024 the two existing module assembly lines will be complemented by a third, as well as four more cell coating lines and two more high-voltage battery assembly lines. The four coating lines will enter series operation during the course of this year at roughly two-month intervals.

Markus Fallböhmer, head of battery production at the BMW Group, says: “From 2024 our plant here in Leipzig will be able to run the entire process chain for high-voltage battery production. [Read more…] about BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

Comau builds robotic welding solution for Daimler Trucks China operation

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Comau has built an advanced, automated welding solution for Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive, a joint venture between Daimler Trucks and the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton Motor.

In doing so, Comau is helping support Mercedes-Benz’s first localized heavy-duty truck for the Chinese market, the “Actros”, which is based on the Mercedes-Benz global platform and uses Daimler’s most advanced truck technology.

Featuring 100 percent process automation, the Comau-designed production line is engineered to be completely flexible in order to handle complex model management and variable output management. [Read more…] about Comau builds robotic welding solution for Daimler Trucks China operation

Mitsubishi Electric Automation releases new 3D simulator software

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has released its MELSOFT Gemini 3D Simulator Software to allow users to expedite the design and construction of manufacturing projects as they introduce new automation components to their facility.

By connecting to a variety of software and factory devices, Gemini provides visualization, simulation, and the streamlining of work processes.

Gemini operates using a PC-based 3D digital space and connects directly to factory devices without having to go through an OPC server. This enables 3D data to be updated in digital spaces approximately 12 times faster than OPC environments. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric Automation releases new 3D simulator software

Cheesy technology: Sargento increases outbound fulfillment with Westfalia warehouse automation

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A Sharp History of Expertise: About the Customer

There’s a reason cheese heads live in Wisconsin, a state with a long, well-established history in the commercial cheese industry dating back to 1837.

In fact, there were over 2,800 cheese factories in the northern border state by the 1920s so, it’s no surprise that modern, high-quality cheeses originate there as well.

Sargento Foods founded in Plymouth, Wisconsin, in 1953, has grown into a powerhouse of cheese manufacturing and is a dominant brand across the United States. [Read more…] about Cheesy technology: Sargento increases outbound fulfillment with Westfalia warehouse automation

Datanomix and Vallen partner to bring real-time factory analytics to industrial manufacturers

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Datanomix, maker of an automated production intelligence software platform, has agreed a partnership with supply chain specialist Vallen to offer the Datanomix software solution to its wide range of manufacturing customers.

Datanomix is well known for its No Operator Input approach to production monitoring. The partnership enables Vallen to offer the Datanomix solution to industrial customers seeking improvements as part of Industry 4.0 and industrial automation initiatives.

John Joseph, CEO of Datanomix, says: “We are excited to welcome Vallen into the Datanomix Partners Program. [Read more…] about Datanomix and Vallen partner to bring real-time factory analytics to industrial manufacturers

2023 Predictions & Forecasts: The future is bright machines

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Two senior executives from Bright Machines, a manufacturing automation company, give Robotics and Automation News their thoughts and forecasts for the year ahead.

The predictions offer insight on manufacturing trends, supply chain evolution, the future of automation, and more. [Read more…] about 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: The future is bright machines

What is manufacturing software, and how can it help a small business?

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Manufacturing software is a type of software that assists small companies in streamlining their manufacturing processes and improving operational efficiency. In particular, cloud-based solutions offer fast deployment, allowing businesses to implement their software without waiting for physical installation.

Additionally, online solutions provide improved scalability and flexibility, meaning businesses can quickly add or remove functionality as their needs evolve.

This is an essential feature from the perspective of a small company: the intention is always to grow and expand, but only a few business owners can afford expensive investments at the start, as they usually stretch their budgets without having spent on manufacturing software tools. The scalability of online solutions is a great advantage. [Read more…] about What is manufacturing software, and how can it help a small business?