Robotics & Automation News

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Manufacturing

Trump threatens to tax cars from Europe if EU retaliates over steel tariff

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US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a new tax on imported cars from Europe if the European Union takes retaliatory measures over the newly announced steel tariffs. 

Speaking through Twitter, Trump said: “If the EU wants to further increase their already massive tariffs and barriers on US companies doing business there, we will simply apply a tax on their cars which freely pour into the US.

“They make it impossible for our cars )and more) to sell there. Big trade imbalance!”  [Read more…] about Trump threatens to tax cars from Europe if EU retaliates over steel tariff

Faurecia to build $60 million manufacturing facility in Kansas City

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Car interiors manufacturer Faurecia is to build a $60 million, 250,000 sq ft facility in Kansas City. 

The company says the new factory will create 300 jobs.

Tim Cowden, president and CEO, Kansas City Area Development Council, says: “Kansas City offers a strong competitive advantage to growing manufacturing operations, particularly in the automotive industry.

“We are very proud to welcome Faurecia to our robust automotive cluster and look forward to the company’s success in our region.”  [Read more…] about Faurecia to build $60 million manufacturing facility in Kansas City

Thailand’s SSI Steel looking to increase investment in robotics and automation technologies

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Thailand’s largest steelmaker, Sahaviriya Steel Industries, is looking to increase its investment in robotics and automation technologies. 

In exclusive comments to Robotics and Automation News, the company’s vice president, Ratchata Jirachotekamjorn, said SSI Steel is looking to gain efficiencies and increase productivity through the use of robotics and automation as well as the latest machine-to-machine technologies.

“The predictive maintenance capabilities are of special interest,” said Jirachotekamjorn.  [Read more…] about Thailand’s SSI Steel looking to increase investment in robotics and automation technologies

Hannover Messe: Software and additive manufacturing for the factories of the future

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Software and IT solutions will be high on the agenda at Hannover Messe 2018, which is no wonder in view of their pivotal role in connecting the individual links in the industrial value chain.

Integration and networking are central to the digital transformation of industrial production. For this reason, the exhibit categories “Automation” and “Digital Factory” will be a magnet for visiting professionals in April.

In halls 6, 7 and 8 the spotlight will be on IT solutions and integrated processes – in particular, additive manufacturing, CAD/CAM, CAE, MES, ERP and PLM.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe: Software and additive manufacturing for the factories of the future

Foxconn to invest $4 billion in new robotics and automation technology

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Hon Hai Precision, better known as Foxconn, is planning to invest $4 billion into increasing the amount of robotics and automation technology used in its factories, according to a report on Nikkei. 

The business news website says Foxconn’s profits are coming under pressure because of rising labour costs.

Foxconn, a Taiwan-headquartered company with extensive operations in China and around the world, is the main contract manufacturing partner for Apple, and makes the US tech giant’s iPhones and other devices.  [Read more…] about Foxconn to invest $4 billion in new robotics and automation technology

Metal products manufacturers in China turning to robots to increase output

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A large number of companies in China which make metal products are concentrated in one particular city, called Yongkang, also known as the “City of Metal”. 

And, according to state news agency Xinhua, many of these companies are turning to robotic assembly lines to increase productivity.

The communist Chinese government outlet quotes one general manager of a company called Haers Vacuum Containers as saying: “A robot assembly line will be launched soon, and we are confident of surpassing the current leading producer this year.”  [Read more…] about Metal products manufacturers in China turning to robots to increase output

Microtechnologies invests $15 million in manufacturing plant in Costa Rica

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US manufacturing company Microtechnologies, which specializes in critical components for global industries, has opened a new production plant in the Terra Industrial Park, in Coyol of Alajuela, Costa Rica.

The new facility of 15,000 square meters marks the celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary in the country and represents a milestone of innovation within the country’s manufacturing sector.

Its construction and outfitting required an investment of $15 million and will generate 250 new high-tech jobs in the next five years.  [Read more…] about Microtechnologies invests $15 million in manufacturing plant in Costa Rica

Do you know what a camera looks like? Do you know what a watch looks like? If you’re under 30, you probably don’t

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Young people today. What do they know?

Not much, obviously. For example, they don’t know what a camera looks like. An actual camera, not a camera “app” on their smartphones.

It’s one of the reasons why Instagram decided to change its logo. The photo-sharing app and website previously used an attractive image of a camera, as shown below, on the left.

It was an elegant design, and made you want one of those cameras. Someone should probably manufacture a camera of that design – it might find a lot of buyers.  [Read more…] about Do you know what a camera looks like? Do you know what a watch looks like? If you’re under 30, you probably don’t

Electrolux to invest $500 million in US product innovation and manufacturing

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Home appliance giant Electrolux Group is planning total investments of approximately $500 million in its US manufacturing operations. 

The company says it is stepping up a strategic initiative to drive profitable growth in North America with new lines of “innovative products”.

The company also said it will consolidate freezer production into its Anderson, South Carolina refrigeration facility. [Read more…] about Electrolux to invest $500 million in US product innovation and manufacturing

Open Mind partners with Heidenhain to provide ‘exclusive first-use’ virtual machining

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Open Mind Technologies, a provider of computer-aided manufacturing software, has partnered with Heidenhain TNC controls to provide exclusive first use of their new numerical control code-based simulation solution, hyperMill virtual machining.

The Connected Machining module allows networked Heidenhain TNC controls to be run from remote locations, a key component for digital production systems.

The new simulation solution is available with the hyperMill 2018.1 release.  [Read more…] about Open Mind partners with Heidenhain to provide ‘exclusive first-use’ virtual machining