Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Manufacturing

Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

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One of China’s largest home appliance manufacturers is planning to increase its use of robotics and automation technologies in an effort to become more productive. 

Gree, which must be a competitor of home appliances giant Midea, another Chinese company, is said to be “setting up unmanned factories”, some of which are already established.

This is according to China.org, which seems to be a government-connected news website.  [Read more…] about Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

3D printing gives design flexibility for bathroom manufacturer

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Kitchen and bath product maker Kallista has made a the spout of a tap produced using 3D Systems’ 3D printing materials and technology.

“Designers usually need to consider a manufacturing process and they have to design around that process,” said Bill McKeone, design studio manager, Kallista.

“3D Systems’ breadth of materials and technologies allowed us the freedom to create a unique, functional faucet (tap) which would not have been possible with a traditional manufacturing process.”

[Read more…] about 3D printing gives design flexibility for bathroom manufacturer

Sositar Mould celebrates 20th year in the injection moulding business

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Injection molding, in principle, is a simple process. It involves designing a mold which contains a cavity in the shape of the product that has been designed. 

That product is often produced in plastic, which is initially melted and passed into the mold’s cavity.

Once cooled, the solid-state part is removed from the mold, and there you have it – the plastic part that you had originally designed.  [Read more…] about Sositar Mould celebrates 20th year in the injection moulding business

SwissLitho develops more simple technique for nano-lithography

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N10nm pattern generation using thermal scanning probe lithography enabled by simplified materials and processes, says SwissLitho

Thermal scanning probe lithography (tSPL) has been used to create patterns with sub-20 nm half-pitch resolution.

Pattern generation uses a thermally sensitive resist and spin coatable hard mask materials to transfer the resist patterns.

Spin coatable materials permit users of tSPL to reduce time and cost of the patterning process.  [Read more…] about SwissLitho develops more simple technique for nano-lithography

Eco Molding offers close co-operation for injection molding design and development

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Injection molding is regarded by many as the most important method of manufacturing plastic parts, and it’s the method in which Eco Molding specialises. 

And if you are considering using the injection molding technique, you might agree that designing a mold for the part is as important as designing the part itself – if the mold is right, the part will be exactly as intended.

Such is the importance of getting the mold correct that both the part and mold are increasingly designed at the same time once the initial product specifications are decided because the mold designer can help inform the development of the final design.  [Read more…] about Eco Molding offers close co-operation for injection molding design and development

Wayken rapid prototyping adds 3D printing to injection moulding and CNC machining

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Whether you are an independent inventor designing a new product or a multinational company with a global operation, Wayken’s rapid prototyping and manufacturing services can help you reach your goals

Although Wayken specialises in injection moulding and CNC machining, it also offers 3D printing services. 

Most manufacturing professionals will probably tell you that if you’re serious about high-quality prototyping and mass manufacturing, you’re probably going to have to involve yourself with injection moulding and CNC machining sooner or later, although 3D printing can be useful in many areas.

Wayken can guide you through the process of using all the current manufacturing technologies.  [Read more…] about Wayken rapid prototyping adds 3D printing to injection moulding and CNC machining

Market insight: Injection moulding plastics market set to double in size in 10 years

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Injection moulding is one of the most common manufacturing processes and generally involves creating a mould and injecting a molten material into it. That material then cools down and takes the form of the cavity inside the mould. 

The materials used in injection moulding can vary from plastics to metals, and even newer, modern composites. But mostly injection moulding used to make plastic parts and components.

Among the advantages of injection moulding is that it can be used for mass manufacturing and low-volume manufacturing, and for rapid prototyping.

Also, a crucial advantage is the quality of finish – you don’t get the roughness that you might get with 3D printing, where the depositing of successive layers creates a ripple or uneven effect.  [Read more…] about Market insight: Injection moulding plastics market set to double in size in 10 years

Midea launches deep learning artificial intelligence initiative

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Midea, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of household appliances, has launched an ambitious artificial intelligence project through which the company is looking to transform its business.

The company says the “Midea Brain” project will accelerate Midea’s speed of innovation and product and application development in the AI field.

In the last two years, artificial intelligence especially deep learning, has emerged as a major technology trend.  [Read more…] about Midea launches deep learning artificial intelligence initiative

A closer look at the German microelectronics sector

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Microelectronics, as the name suggests, is all about tiny electronics systems, whether we’re talking about a self-contained device or a component. 

But mostly it’s about silicon-based components and devices, typified by microchips, which are known collectively semiconductors.

Obviously, microelectronics is a subfield of the larger electronics sector so the two intersect at the basic level.  [Read more…] about A closer look at the German microelectronics sector

PalExpo to showcase jewellery-making expertise

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The world of high-quality jewellery- and watch-making has always been labour-intensive, requiring many people with intricate skills all along the manufacturing process. 

And while making jewellery still involves many people, increasingly sophisticated instruments, robotics and automation technologies, as well as new materials and additive manufacturing are taking the sector to a whole new level.

An industry event in Geneva, Switzerland called EPHJ-EPMT-SMT describes itself as “the only trade show in the world [which showcases] all high-precision skills in the areas of watchmaking and jewellery, microtechnology and medical technology”.  [Read more…] about PalExpo to showcase jewellery-making expertise