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Four robotic systems changing the face of warehouse automation

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A new generation of modular, intelligent robots is quietly infiltrating warehouses around the world, delivering greater productivity and throughputs while enabling unprecedented flexibility. This post reviews four of the leading use cases for today’s warehouse robots.

What’s next for your warehouse? Increased connectivity to enable IoT? Migrating warehouse software to the cloud? Or maybe doing more with data?

Those are just some of the initiatives that seem to dominate the discussion of next-generation warehouse technology. Meanwhile, an equally powerful technology may be overlooked because it’s been around for decades: robotics.

[Read more…] about Four robotic systems changing the face of warehouse automation

Montratec to showcase automation technologies for supply chain industry

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Intralogistics technology provider Montratec is planning to present cutting-edge technologies for process automation and efficiency increase at Fakuma, a trade fair for the plastics processing industry

“Welcome to our World” is the slogan of the German company Montratec, which is headquartered in Niedereschach.

The company will be presenting new product highlights of their intelligent automation and transport system Montrac on the international trade fair Fakuma (from 16 to 20 October 2018 in Friedrichshafen/Germany).

The intra-logistic system Montrac is purely designed and engineered for efficiency enhancement. Particular the revolutionary technology of the Shuttle Carrier and the features of the new SmartRouter-generation are setting innovative milestones in the field of process automation and intra-logistics.  [Read more…] about Montratec to showcase automation technologies for supply chain industry

IMTS: This year’s show was the ‘largest ever’, say organisers

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Exponential technology advances, strong economy propel North America’s premier manufacturing show

A rapidly transforming industry sparked IMTS 2018 – the International Manufacturing Technology Show – to set all-time records for show metrics.

The 32nd edition of the show drew a record registration of 129,415 people and featured 1,424,232 sq ft of exhibit space representing 2,123 booths and 2,563 exhibiting companies.

IMTS 2018 ran from September 10-15 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Previous records were 121,764 registrants (IMTS 1998), 1,415,848 sq ft of exhibit space (IMTS 2000), 1,808 booths (IMTS 2016) and 2,407 exhibiting companies (IMTS 2016).  [Read more…] about IMTS: This year’s show was the ‘largest ever’, say organisers

Micro-Measurements releases miniature strain gage sensor for robots and drones

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Micro-Measurements has launched a miniature strain gage sensor which it says is suitable a number of automation applications, including in autonomous vehicles, robotics, smart manufacturing, and the wearables markets.

The new strain gage sensor is “advantageous in applications that benefit from small size and higher resistance”, says the company.

The Micro-Measurements brand is part of the Vishay Precision Group, which designs, develops and manufactures resistive-foil sensors for high-precision strain, high-stress and force mechanism measurements.  [Read more…] about Micro-Measurements releases miniature strain gage sensor for robots and drones

Komatsu to build new headquarters 
in Milwaukee’s Harbor District

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Mining vehicles and technology supplier Komatsu is planning to build its new headquarters 
in Milwaukee’s Harbor District.

Just shy of its 135th anniversary in the Milwaukee area, Komatsu Mining says it intends to build a new, state-of-the-art headquarters and manufacturing campus near the location of the company’s original machine shop off South First Street.

The company’s 2.5 million-square-foot South Harbor Campus is planned for Milwaukee’s Harbor District, off Greenfield Avenue.  [Read more…] about Komatsu to build new headquarters 
in Milwaukee’s Harbor District

ABB launches its ‘most compact and lightweight 6-axis robot ever’

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ABB has launched what it describes as its “most compact and lightweight 6-axis robot ever”.

The new IRB 1100 “enhances the industry’s most comprehensive offering for fast, accurate small parts assembly solutions”, claims ABB.

ABB introduced the IRB 1100 at the China International Industry Fair 2018 in Shanghai – its smallest, lightest robot to date as part of its growing offering of solutions for small parts assembly.  [Read more…] about ABB launches its ‘most compact and lightweight 6-axis robot ever’

OnRobot launches robotics tool changer

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OnRobot, a specialist in robotic end-of-arm tooling, is launching a new patented tool changer for collaborative applications developed by Purple Robotics, recently acquired by OnRobot.

Weighing only 200 g (7 oz.), the Quick Changer has a low impact on robot payload. Its compact size also adds minimal distance from the tool centre point (TCP) to the robot, which minimises stress on robot joints.

The Quick Changer releases end-of-arm tools with just a click and inserted tools are automatically positioned correctly with a repeatability of ±0.02 mm. The Quick Changer can be used on any robot arm, drone, or other equipment with an ISO-9409-1 flange.

[Read more…] about OnRobot launches robotics tool changer

Technical insight: How to improve uptime in industrial robotic systems

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How sensors coupled with Industry 4.0 technology will enable predictive maintenance of industrial robots

Machine maintenance can sometimes seem like one of the black arts, according to experts at Infineon Technologies. A seemingly reliable machine suddenly stops working and, despite everyone’s best efforts, cannot be brought back to life. Along comes a member of the maintenance team and, after some beard-scratching, tinkering inside the machine and a few words of encouragement, the machine springs back to life.

The reality is often more pragmatic. Schedules of work are arranged to optimize uptime and undertake preventative maintenance during periods that have the least impact on manufacturing. However, there are still times when maintenance engineers seemingly ‘sense’ impending failure of their robots and automation equipment.

Could the implementation of sensing technologies, beyond the sensors needed for process monitoring, deliver improvements in predictive maintenance?  [Read more…] about Technical insight: How to improve uptime in industrial robotic systems

Epson launches competition to win three of its industrial robots

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Epson Robots has launched a competition to win three of its industrial robots.

Epson, which says it’s the market leader in SCARA robots, has been a provider of automation solutions since 1980. It’s one of the top 10 robotics companies in the world.

The company says the competition is launched as the expansion of automation continues around the world, with many new and innovative applications for robots are being developed.  [Read more…] about Epson launches competition to win three of its industrial robots

New Scale Robotics gains Universal Robots certification for precision parallel gripper

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New Scale Robotics, a division of New Scale Technologies, has received Universal Robots certification for its NSR-PG-10-20-UR Precision Parallel Gripper.

Universal Robots certification confirms that the smart gripper is fully compatible with UR collaborative robots and meets all published specifications.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Technologies, says: “We are delighted to receive endorsement from Universal Robots for the NSR-PG, created specifically to install and operate on UR robots in under 30 minutes.  [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics gains Universal Robots certification for precision parallel gripper