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Opinion: Materials handling automation and robotics requires IIoT monitoring

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By John Hayes, Vecna Robotics

There is a frequent complaint of Industry 4.0, Big Data, and the Industrial Internet of Things. Too much data, little of which can be accessed and used effectively.

From tuggers, automated guided carts, and automated guided vehicles, there is a real need to include IIoT monitoring which defines the next phase of automation and robotics in materials handling.

Without IIoT monitoring, plant managers, operations managers, logistics coordinators throughout manufacturing and distribution sectors lack the data collected which offers real-time continuous status and health information.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Materials handling automation and robotics requires IIoT monitoring

Kuka celebrates production of 2 million Jeep Wranglers

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Kuka is apparently rather pleased with itself for having helped produce 2 million Jeep Wranglers. 

A few days ago, the Kuka Toledo Production Operations celebrated the completion of its two millionth Jeep Wrangler body-in-white.

Kuka says it’s “the latest milestone in a stellar history that has seen this unique plant rank consistently among the quality and productivity leaders in the North American automotive industry”.  [Read more…] about Kuka celebrates production of 2 million Jeep Wranglers

Nasa and SSL complete preliminary design review of robot that will fix satellites

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Space Systems Loral says it successfully completed the preliminary design review for Nasa’s Restore-L mission to provide satellite servicing in low earth orbit. 

With the completion of the preliminary design review, Restore-L is proceeding on schedule to the next phase of development and its launch in 2020.

As announced last year, SSL is working with Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center’s Satellite Servicing Projects Division, to build a spacecraft that will change the nature of how infrastructure in space is managed by, for the first time in history, refueling a satellite in orbit that was not designed for servicing.  [Read more…] about Nasa and SSL complete preliminary design review of robot that will fix satellites

Dürr and BMW win award for smart painting technique

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Robotics and automation technology company Dürr and automaker BMW have won an award for developing a new robotic painting system.

The companies received the award for technique for their concept of a “smart paint shop” at the Surcar 2017 event in Cannes, France.

The jury at Surcar, which is said to be the world’s leading biennial congress on automotive body finishing, traditionally selects the winners for three awards.  [Read more…] about Dürr and BMW win award for smart painting technique

Largest robotics and automation investment fund now has $1 billion in assets under management

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ROBO, believed to be the first robotics and automation exchange traded fund, has reached a new milestone in terms of its assets under management.

Index provider ROBO Global, which has holdings in more than 100 listed companies, says investors have embraced its dedicated focus on robotics, automation and artificial intelligence.

The ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF recently surpassed $1 billion in assets under management, and its managers say it has achieved the psychologically significant benchmark less than four years after launching.  [Read more…] about Largest robotics and automation investment fund now has $1 billion in assets under management

DHL could stop Amazon from taking over the world. Probably

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It’s not a glamorous business, logistics. Doesn’t make the mainstream news very often. And it’s not likely to be the top career choice for most people. 

It’s understandable. After all, how interesting can it be to move boxes from point A to point B?

Put like that, it’s not much to write home about. But now, with driverless vehicles everywhere, augmented reality glasses and exoskeletons for warehouse workers, and robotics and automation technologies of all kinds promising to transform the industry worldwide, logistics is about to get much more interesting.  [Read more…] about DHL could stop Amazon from taking over the world. Probably

Top 10 additive manufacturing and 3D printing companies

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Although we’ve called this a top 10, it’s not really in any particular order – it’s just a list of 10 of the most well-known and perhaps most highly regarded additive manufacturing or 3D printing companies. 

If anything, it’s an impressionistic understanding of the market, taking into consideration size of the company, number of clients and general reputation.

We have not included software-only companies or providers of marketplaces without any hardware of their own – we’ve tried to concentrate on companies which manufacture 3D printers and the materials that they require.  [Read more…] about Top 10 additive manufacturing and 3D printing companies

Autodesk to bundle Nastran simulation and manufacturing software free with Inventor

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Autodesk is planning to include simulation and computer-aided manufacturing software into its Inventor mechanical design suite of applications, according to a report on Engineering.com. 

Autodesk Inventor is generally used by engineers in mechanical design, and was available for $2,500 a year through the company’s website.

Autodesk’s senior director of manufacturing business strategy, Stephen Hooper, told Engineering.com that the company would now include Nastran and HSMWorks in an Inventor suite.  [Read more…] about Autodesk to bundle Nastran simulation and manufacturing software free with Inventor

DHL invests in four new Sawyer collaborative robots from Rethink Robotics

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DHL has invested in four new Sawyer robots in order to evaluate the solution as part of its robotics research and development programme.

The company describes the purchase of the Sawyer robots as “the first step” in its robotics deployment journey.

DHL says the collaborative robots will be flexibly used across its 19 contract packing, or “co-packing”, and production logistics centres across the UK and Ireland region.  [Read more…] about DHL invests in four new Sawyer collaborative robots from Rethink Robotics

The 10 most highly prized industrial design awards

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An industrial design award can launch a designer’s career, so is highly sought after, and there are plenty of design competitions out there to enter if you’re interested. 

Although most of the competitions emphasise consumer product design, and often software-oriented products, the industrial product categories are also extensively included.

And if you can’t find one that has a category that seems to suit your category now, if you wait long enough, someone will organise one.  [Read more…] about The 10 most highly prized industrial design awards