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Manufacturing

Humans perform 72 percent of manufacturing tasks and create nearly three times more value than machines, says report

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Humans perform the vast majority of manufacturing tasks and create nearly three times more value than machines in factories, according to a new report. 

According to new data released today by A.T. Kearney and Drishti, humans still perform 72 percent of manufacturing tasks.

This data, from a survey of more than 100 manufacturing leaders, suggests that despite headlines about robots and AI replacing humans in factories, people remain central to manufacturing, creating significantly more value on the factory floor than machines.  [Read more…] about Humans perform 72 percent of manufacturing tasks and create nearly three times more value than machines, says report

BISTel launches equipment checking and predictive maintenance solution

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BISTel, a provider of adaptive intelligence (A.I.) solutions for smarter manufacturing, has announced a new, real-time, equipment health monitoring and predictive maintenance solution, HMP.

HMP provides real-time fault detection, classification and predictive analytics to let customers know when equipment might fail or will require servicing. In addition, it lets customers know the remaining useful life (RUL) of their equipment.

For semiconductor, electronics, automotive, steel and industrial manufacturers, HMP gives an early warning system to let engineers know when a problem might occur.

[Read more…] about BISTel launches equipment checking and predictive maintenance solution

B&R’s moving track slows down for human workstations

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The ACOPOStrak transport system and B&R‘s human-track collaboration uses intelligent safety technology to keep  workstations reliably risk-free without the need for safety barriers.

ACOPOStrak is a track system where parts and products are transported quickly and flexibly from processing station to processing station on independently controlled shuttles.

B&R has integrated safety features in its ACOPOStrak system which limit the speed and force of ACOPOStrak shuttles as they pass manual workstations and then continue around the remainder of the track with full dynamic performance.

[Read more…] about B&R’s moving track slows down for human workstations

Hyundai develops exoskeletons for industry

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Hyundai Motor Group has ventured further into the high-value robotics industry of the future by beginning development of Hyundai Vest Exoskeleton (H-VEX) wearable industrial robots.

Following the Hyundai Chairless Exoskeleton (H-CEX) demonstration conducted in the Hyundai-KIA North American factory last August, the company plans to verify H-VEX’s success through extensive testing at the end of 2018.

In early 2018, Hyundai selected Robot-Artificial Intelligence as one of five areas of future innovation growth. The company established a designated robotics team in its strategic technology headquarters to focus on the development of related tech, and is expanding its cooperation with associated sectors.

[Read more…] about Hyundai develops exoskeletons for industry

Manufacturing: The rise of smart factories

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Factories across the manufacturing sector are becoming smarter – with new technologies being introduced constantly.

That’s the claim of many tech and industry experts who believe that optimising the manufacturing process to create an integrated and collaborative process will bring about the world’s next industrial revolution.

But, what are smart factories and how do they affect how we work?

Here, we look at the definition of a smart factory, which technologies are associated with it and what trends to look out for that will push the barriers of smart manufacturing even further.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing: The rise of smart factories

ABB to build ‘world’s most advanced’ robotics factory in Shanghai

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ABB has announced a major, new $150 million investment in Shanghai, China, to build what it calls “the world’s most advanced, automated and flexible robotics factory – a cutting-edge centre where robots make robots, says the company”.

The new Kangqiao manufacturing centre, near ABB’s China robotics campus, will combine the company’s connected digital technologies, including ABB Ability solutions, collaborative robotics and artificial intelligence research to create an environmentally sustainable “factory of the future.” It is expected to begin operating by the end of 2020.

Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for ABB as China’s #1 robotics manufacturer as well as a critical global growth investment for the company in the world’s largest robotics market.

[Read more…] about ABB to build ‘world’s most advanced’ robotics factory in Shanghai

Softwear launches new automated industrial sewing system with machine vision

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Softwear Automation has launched a new automated industrial sewing system. The next generation of its Lowry Sewbot is now available worldwide.

The company says the new system includes features such as fully automated loading, flaw detection, sewing, seaming, cutting, labeling and re-stacking all enabled by revolutionary machine vision technology.  [Read more…] about Softwear launches new automated industrial sewing system with machine vision

Hong Kong university develops automated quality control system for textiles industry

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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University says it has developed an intelligent fabric defect detection system, called “WiseEye”, which leverages advanced technologies including artificial intelligence and deep learning in the process of quality control in the textile industry.

PolyU says the system effectively minimises the chance of producing substandard fabric by 90 percent, substantially reducing loss and wastage in the production.

It helps to save manpower as well as enhance the automation management in the textile manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Hong Kong university develops automated quality control system for textiles industry

Kyocera to build new manufacturing plant in Kanagawa, Japan for conductive and insulation pastes

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Kyocera says it has started construction of a new manufacturing facility on the premises of its Kawasaki manufacturing complex in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

The new facility will allow Kyocera to increase its production capacity by 50 percent for conductive and insulation pastes utilized in applications ranging from semiconductors and digital devices to automotive electronics and energy products.

The new facility will increase the plant’s total production capacity for various pastes including silver paste, as demand is expected to grow in the automotive market.  [Read more…] about Kyocera to build new manufacturing plant in Kanagawa, Japan for conductive and insulation pastes

Stronger and lighter steel behind container manufacturer’s switch

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ZPUH JK Milosz Kiedrowski, a container manufacturer located in northern Poland, started in 2001 to closely co-operate with the Swedish company ILAB Container, through which it has access to the Scandinavian market.

In 2008, JK launched the production of light containers made from high-strength steel.

From the very beginning, it was clear to the management of JK that the steel they used must be produced by SSAB due to its superior quality and because a majority of Scandinavian customers expected containers made from SSAB steel.  [Read more…] about Stronger and lighter steel behind container manufacturer’s switch