Robotics & Automation News

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Manufacturing

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Shaw Industries to invest $184 million in its Alabama manufacturing plant

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Shaw Industries says it will invest $184 million in its Andalusia, Alabama facility, which creates fiber used in the manufacturing of carpet.

Shaw says the project will include construction of new and expanded building assets, and installation of substantial amounts of new manufacturing equipment.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey welcome the decision, saying: “Shaw’s significant new investment in its Andalusia manufacturing facility is a welcome development that positions the plant for the future and demonstrates the company’s confidence in its large Alabama workforce.  [Read more…] about Shaw Industries to invest $184 million in its Alabama manufacturing plant

Apple awards $390 million from its advanced manufacturing fund to Finisar for its optical components

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Apple has awarded $390 million from its $1 billion advanced manufacturing fund to a US company called Finisar. 

The computing devices giant says the award is part of its long-term aim to support innovation and job creation by American manufacturers.

The award will enable Finisar to exponentially increase its R&D spending and high-volume production of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs).  [Read more…] about Apple awards $390 million from its advanced manufacturing fund to Finisar for its optical components

Bend it like Comeco: Nord helps Swedish company to improve rebar bending process

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Looking for ways to improve their machines’ usability and to economize on manufacturing costs, the Swedish company Comeco decided to launch a new line of rebar benders with electric drives instead of hydraulics.

Nord DriveSystems supported the company from the early planning phase through to production, configuring an AC vector drive with an integrated programmable logic controller that controls all machine functions.

The current solution is simpler, more robust, and easier to maintain, says Comeco. In addition to substantial savings for procured parts, the assembly time was halved.  [Read more…] about Bend it like Comeco: Nord helps Swedish company to improve rebar bending process

Stanley Black & Decker to open advanced manufacturing training centre in Connecticut

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Stanley Black & Decker is planning to open an advanced manufacturing training centre in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, near the north-eastern coast of the US.

The company says the “centre of excellence” to accelerate its global Industry 4.0 “smart factory” initiative.

Called “Manufactory 4.0” – after the original Stanley Bolt Manufactory founded in 1843 – the 23,000-square-foot center will be located at One Constitution Plaza and will employ approximately 50 Industry 4.0 professionals.  [Read more…] about Stanley Black & Decker to open advanced manufacturing training centre in Connecticut