Robotics & Automation News

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Manufacturing

Robots in automotive manufacturing: Top 7 applications

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With the advancement in technology ever since the first car came into existence, things have changed drastically. Not just for the driver but also for manufacturers. The way we have learned to automate our tasks is remarkable.

We created machines that helped us create more machines. That is essentially what car manufacturing is these days. We don’t need huge human labor to achieve our task, we could just use robots. Robots have been used for automotive manufacturing for over 50 years now. They have lots of advantages.

These robots give the manufacturer a big competitive advantage over their competitors. You cannot expect an automaker to pump millions of vehicles per year by creating all of them by hand. [Read more…] about Robots in automotive manufacturing: Top 7 applications

GeicoTaikisha chooses ADAMOS and Software AG to digitise automotive painting process

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Software AG (see video below) is to provide industrial internet of things solutions to GeicoTaikisha, one of the world’s leading designers and builders of automated auto body paintshops.

The companies say the agreement will help GeicoTaikisha to digitalise the entire painting process for its customers’ vehicle production plants.

GeicoTaikisha needed to connect its facilities, collect data and develop value-added applications to give new services to its customers. [Read more…] about GeicoTaikisha chooses ADAMOS and Software AG to digitise automotive painting process

Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

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Comau, an industrial robotics and automation specialist, has designed and developed a “high-volume module manufacturing line” to produce new generation lithium-ion batteries for Leclanché, a provider of energy storage solutions for the heavy transportation, naval and railway industries.

Comau says the “state-of-the-art, highly automated line” is the result of a simultaneous engineering process and combines industrial robots, vision systems, laser welding, and the automated in-line validation of joints via artificial intelligence. Priority was given to ensuring multi-module configurability, full traceability and the highest level of safety.

The line includes the latest quality and process control technologies, thus setting the foundation for the transition towards Industry 4.0 principles. It will also allow Leclanché to produce up to six times the company’s current capacity, reaching an output of more than 60,000 modules per year. The solution is also expected to reduce costs by up to 20 percent, support 50 different product configurations and save Leclanché valuable time when introducing new formats into the manufacturing line.  [Read more…] about Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

Manufacturing Masks – Using Your Own Production Facilities

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The coronavirus pandemic saw the demand for masks skyrocket. Meeting that demand meant finding solutions fast.

The demand for medical face masks has risen particularly steeply. These are not the everyday fabric or “community” masks that keen crafters around the world are now churning out.

Although such face coverings do lower the risk of the wearer passing on the coronavirus to others (source control), they fall short of the stringent requirements in medical and industrial environments, where the wearer needs to be protected from infection and/or pollutants. [Read more…] about Manufacturing Masks – Using Your Own Production Facilities

New S&P Analysis: Stressed semiconductor industry needs water, gets liberal sprinkling of state support

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By Christopher Rogers, senior researcher, Panjiva, part of S&P Global

The global semiconductor industry is in the midst of a period of upheaval driven by both short- and long-term factors.

The most obvious has been the imbalance in supply versus demand shown by shortages in the automotive industry, as discussed in Panjiva’s research of May 18, resulting in higher prices.

There are also emergent challenges from water shortages in Taiwan – which accounted for 14.4 percent of global exports in 2019 – that are causing power shortages and potential semiconductor fabrication facility closures, according to Nikkei Asia. [Read more…] about New S&P Analysis: Stressed semiconductor industry needs water, gets liberal sprinkling of state support

Vention and OnRobot partner to offer ‘one-stop shop’ for cobot applications to manufacturers

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Vention, an online software application that offers manufacturing capabilities, is partnering with OnRobot, which makes tools for collaborative applications.

This partnership combines Vention’s online-first manufacturing automation platform with OnRobot’s library of plug-and-play end-of-arm tools to accelerate the design and deployment of end-to-end cobot applications.

Vention’s MAP provides users with the engineering software and modular hardware they need to design, automate, order, and deploy factory equipment in a single digital environment. [Read more…] about Vention and OnRobot partner to offer ‘one-stop shop’ for cobot applications to manufacturers

Using robots to address the welder shortage

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Automated welding solutions are used across a range of industries, most commonly observed in the automotive industry where arc welding has been automated since the 1960s as a reliable method of manufacturing that increases accuracy, safety and efficiency.

The primary driver of automated welding solutions has always been a desire for reduced long term costs, increased reliability and productivity.

However, now there is a new driving force as robots are being used as a way of addressing the skills gap in the welding industry. More experienced welders are retiring in large numbers and there aren’t enough certified welders being trained to replace them. [Read more…] about Using robots to address the welder shortage

Comau to develop new robotic systems with shipbuilder Fincantieri

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Shipbuilder Fincantieri and Comau Robotics, two Italian industrial giants in their respective markets, have signed a letter of intent to develop prototypes of robotized steel welding solutions and the resulting construction of series of machines, to be implemented at first in Fincantieri shipyards.

Paolo Carmassi, Comau CEO, and Fabio Gallia, Fincantieri general manager, signed the agreement.

The first joint project, of which the operating agreement is currently under way and related tests are scheduled at the Fincantieri shipyards by the first half of the year 2022, will involve a welding robot vehicle consisting of an anthropomorphic welding robot and a remote control tracked vehicle. [Read more…] about Comau to develop new robotic systems with shipbuilder Fincantieri

ABB robots increase automation in solar industry

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Producing a solar collector every six minutes, ABB robots make Absolicon’s solar technology a cost-competitive alternative to conventional heating.

To enable the transformation to a sustainable society and preserve resources, production of solar collector panels must be precise, highly efficient and cost effective.

To achieve this, Absolicon and ABB have developed the world’s only complete solution for the mass production of concentrated solar collectors, in Absolicon’s factory in Härnösand, Sweden. [Read more…] about ABB robots increase automation in solar industry

Global manufacturing and supply chains ‘severely disrupted’ by pandemic

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Global manufacturing and supply chains were severely disrupted by the Covid-19 global pandemic, forcing companies to adapt and plan for a new business reality.

The newly released 2021 State of Manufacturing Report from Fictiv, a digital manufacturing services provider, reveals an industry that is “already quickly rebounding” with investments in digital transformation aimed at improving speed, resilience and sustainability.

While areas of concern persist, most report that lessons from the pandemic have paved the way for new innovations. [Read more…] about Global manufacturing and supply chains ‘severely disrupted’ by pandemic