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Manufacturing

Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery to acquire Siemens’ stake in Primetals Technologies

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Deal would make MHMM sole owner of Primetals Technologies

Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery (MHMM) and Siemens have reached agreement for MHMM to acquire Siemens’ 49 percent stake in Primetals Technologies.

Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected by early 2020.

Siemens will support the process to ensure a successful closing of the transaction. Following closing, MHMM will assume sole control of Primetals Technologies. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery to acquire Siemens’ stake in Primetals Technologies

B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

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Industrial automation company B&R has been showcasing its technology for mass customisation, or “batch of one”.

The company exhibited its SuperTrak process at the metal industry event EMO, held recently in Germany.

B&R says the metal industry is not immune to the global trend away from bulk annual orders toward small-batch customer orders with short lead times. [Read more…] about B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

Airbus inaugurates ‘highly automated’ assembly line in Germany

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Airbus has inaugurated its “highly automated” fuselage structure assembly line for A320 Family aircraft in Hamburg, showcasing an evolution in Airbus’ industrial production system.

With a special focus on manufacturing longer sections for the A321LR, the new facility features 20 robots, a new logistics concept, automated positioning by laser measurement as well as a digital data acquisition system.

These will further support Airbus’ drive to improve both quality and efficiency while bringing an enhanced level of digitalisation to its industrial production system. [Read more…] about Airbus inaugurates ‘highly automated’ assembly line in Germany

All Axis Robotics manufactures custom robot arm end-effectors with MakerBot 3D printer

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MakerBot, a 3D printing equipment supplier, says All Axis Robotics is implementing the MakerBot “Method” manufacturing workstation – or 3D printer – into its automation processes to produce custom tooling parts for its legacy machines as well as customers.

All Axis Robotics is a Dallas, Texas-based machine shop and a leader in turnkey custom robot solutions for other machine shops and manufacturing facilities in need of automated machine tending.

Customers enlist the expertise of All Axis Robotics’ mechanical and manufacturing engineers to streamline their manufacturing operations with robotic arms and custom end-effectors, including those for CNC machine tending, automated part sanding, and brake press machine tending, among others. [Read more…] about All Axis Robotics manufactures custom robot arm end-effectors with MakerBot 3D printer

Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

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Automaker Ford has for the first time introduced a team of collaborative robots that works alongside engineers in Cologne, Germany, to ensure every Ford Fiesta has a perfect finish.

The six cobots complete a choreographed sequence to sand the entire body surface in just 35 seconds. The initiative does not replace employees but allows operators to use their time on more complex tasks and avoid suffering the strains associated with performing repetitive tasks.

Dennis Kuhn, senior manufacturing engineer, paint shop, Ford of Europe, says: “The cobots can feel when more force needs to be applied, just like we can, and they can more easily get to hard-to-reach places, like the centre of the roof.” [Read more…] about Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

ABB starts construction of ‘world’s most advanced’ robotics factory in China

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ABB has started construction of its new robotics manufacturing and research facility in China, the world’s largest robotics market.

The facility is expected to open during 2021 and represents a total investment of $150 million.

The new 67,000 sq m factory in Kangqiao, near Shanghai, will feature the latest manufacturing processes, including machine learning, digital and collaborative solutions. [Read more…] about ABB starts construction of ‘world’s most advanced’ robotics factory in China

Stop & Shop installs robotic bakery ‘Breadbot’ at its Massachusetts store

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Stop & Shop has teamed up with the Wilkinson Baking Company to install the Mini Bakery, also known as “Breadbot”, at its Milford, Massachusetts, store.

Stop & Shop is the only grocer on the East Coast with The Mini Bakery, offering sandwich-style bread that is fresh-from-the-oven, delicious and affordable.

The Mini Bakery – which is described as a “robotic bakery” by some – mixes, forms, proofs, bakes and cools 10 loaves of artisan bread per hour. [Read more…] about Stop & Shop installs robotic bakery ‘Breadbot’ at its Massachusetts store

Ericsson automated smart factory now operational in China

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Swedish telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson says September 2019 marks “a major milestone in smart manufacturing capabilities”.

The reason for this is that the $50 million transformation of the company’s existing factory in Nanjing, China, has now reached its conclusion.

The resulting automated factory stands “among the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the industry”, claims Ericsson. [Read more…] about Ericsson automated smart factory now operational in China

3D printed diamonds: Large companies forecast to spend $3 billion on 3D printing by next year

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Sales of products related to 3D printing by large public companies is expected to grow by 12.5 percent to top $3 billion by 2020, according to a study from Deloitte.

Much of it will come from greater use of metal parts in applications beyond rapid prototyping – manufacturing and / or repair.

As background, the global manufacturing sector’s revenue as a whole totals approximately $12 trillion annually. [Read more…] about 3D printed diamonds: Large companies forecast to spend $3 billion on 3D printing by next year

Airbus partners with Chinese aviation industry on final assembly

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Airbus has partnered with a Chinese aviation company on the final stages of its aircraft assembly.

The new deal brings the value of the European aerospace giant’s co-operation agreements in China to approximately $1 billion.

Airbus says the measure reaffirms its commitment to its long-term strategic partnership with China’s aviation industry. The new agreement is with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and is designed to deepen industrial cooperation on Airbus single-aisle production. [Read more…] about Airbus partners with Chinese aviation industry on final assembly