Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Manufacturing

3D printed parts keep production flowing at chocolate factory

by

Dutch 3D service bureau, Visual First, is using FDM Nylon 12CF carbon-filled thermoplastic, supplied by applied additive technology solutions company Stratasys, to replace metal machine parts for its customer, The Chocolate Factory.

Using 3D print machinery replacement parts has significantly reduced machine downtime, ensuring production line continuity for the company.

Based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, The Chocolate Factory runs a network of packaging machines, with the company’s daily throughput relying on the smooth operation of a simple, yet crucial, hook-shaped metal part that lifts wrapped bars onto a conveyer belt.

[Read more…] about 3D printed parts keep production flowing at chocolate factory

Seat shows off intralogistics robots at Spain factory

by

Automaker Seat, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has been showing off its autonomous and collaborative intralogistics robots at its factory in Martorell, in Spain. 

The company uses 125 automated guided vehicles at the Martorell facility, and the robots share the workspace with 7,000 human employees.

As such, Seat – and others – call these vehicles collaborative robots, because they work alongside humans (video below).

The internal logistics robots were manufactured by a company called Kivnon. Other robotic and autonomous logistics vehicles at the Martorell plant are from Aristeril and Rari.

[Read more…] about Seat shows off intralogistics robots at Spain factory

Sector spotlight: Record growth of semiconductor market good sign for industrial robot manufacturers

by

The global semiconductor market is growing at a phenomenal rate, evidence of which can be seen by anyone who cares to look around them.

Almost everyone on Earth either directly or indirectly uses some sort of device or machine which contains semiconductor technology.

And in some ways, this is just the beginning of the semiconductor revolution.

As Kawasaki Robotics notes on its website: “In the space of a generation, the semiconductor industry has evolved from a niche specialty to a fundamental driver of the global economy.”  [Read more…] about Sector spotlight: Record growth of semiconductor market good sign for industrial robot manufacturers

Panasonic to establish new company to strengthen factory solutions business in North America

by

Panasonic has established a new company for its North America operations.

Panasonic Corporation today announced the establishment of Panasonic System Solutions North America Company as a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic’s Newark, New Jersey-based subsidiary.

The new company will be formally established on April 1, 2018.  [Read more…] about Panasonic to establish new company to strengthen factory solutions business in North America

Saint-Gobain plant reduces injuries with Robotiq force-torque sensor

by

Glass production company says it has reduced injuries and improved production using collaborative robot

Saint-Gobain’s plant in Sully-sur-Loire, France, focuses on glass production for the armoured and aeronautical industries, and the civil market.

In their shift towards Industry 4.0, Saint-Gobain’s management has installed collaborative robot cells to free employees from tedious and repetitive tasks.

The company says Robotiq’s FT 300 Force Torque Sensor has proven “essential” to automate the grueling glass polishing process. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Saint-Gobain plant reduces injuries with Robotiq force-torque sensor

Google Brain scientist launches company to bring AI to IIoT

by

A former Google Brain scientist has started a company which is developing artificial intelligence systems for the industrial internet of things networks, such as those in the manufacturing sector. 

Andrew Ng, who has previously worked for Google Brain and Baidu’s AI group, and also founded Coursera, is said to be working with Foxconn to develop and test his company’s ideas.

Foxconn is the contract manufacturer used by Apple to make its iPhones and iPads.  [Read more…] about Google Brain scientist launches company to bring AI to IIoT

Harrison Manufacturing increases throughput with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer

by

Harrison Manufacturing, a custom plastics injection molding manufacturer specializing in molded plastics and light assembly, recently installed Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer robot at its Jackson, Mississippi facility and says it saw “immediate tangible benefits”.

Harrison bosses say they were able to integrate Sawyer into their process “within hours”.

The company says it is reducing labor costs and increasing throughput by using Sawyer in ergonomically challenging tasks. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Harrison Manufacturing increases throughput with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer

Kollmorgen equips S700 servo controllers with single-cable connection technology

by

Kollmorgen has equipped its S700 servo controllers with single-cable connection technology.

The company says the combination is “designed for sophisticated tasks” and now also includes slender single-cable connection technology.

Kollmorgen says the S700 combines multi-functionality with “maximum levels of freedom”, from programming to wiring. (See main picture.) [Read more…] about Kollmorgen equips S700 servo controllers with single-cable connection technology

Chinese solar cell company Longi considers establishing facility in India

by

Chinese solar power generation equipment company Longi is reportedly planning to establish a manufacturing facility in India. 

If it does go ahead with the plan, Longi will become the first Chinese solar cell manufacturer to set up a factory in India.

According to a report in LiveMint.com, which quotes people close to the company, “Longi is planning to set up a manufacturing facility here. It will be a first for them here”.  [Read more…] about Chinese solar cell company Longi considers establishing facility in India

HP opens first advanced manufacturing centre in Singapore

by

HP has opened its first smart manufacturing centre in the tiny city-state of Singapore. 

The Smart Manufacturing Applications and Research Centre, or Smarc, is the first such facility HP has opened anywhere in the world, according to the Business Times of Singapore.

The 6,000 square foot facility – dubbed the “Asia-Pacific Japan campus” – is said to accommodate a team of engineers who oversee more than 50 manufacturing supply lines globally.  [Read more…] about HP opens first advanced manufacturing centre in Singapore

Please switch off your ad blocker.

Our website relies on ads to provide free content and sustain our operations. By turning off your ad blocker, you help support us and ensure we can continue offering valuable content without any cost to you.

We truly appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you for considering disabling your ad blocker for this website