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Siemens acquires Austemper Design Systems to strengthen product lifecycle management offering

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Siemens has entered into an agreement to acquire Austin, Texas-based Austemper Design Systems, a startup software company that offers analysis, auto-correction and simulation technology.

This technology allows customers to test and harden integrated circuit designs for functional safety in applications such as automotive, industrial and aerospace systems where functional safety and high reliability are mandatory for compliance to safety standards like ISO 26262.

ICs in these applications require three types of functional safety verification:

  • for systemic faults;
  • malicious faults; and
  • random hardware faults.

The acquisition of Austemper will strengthen Siemens’ product lifecycle management software suite, much like Siemens’ acquisition of Mentor did. [Read more…] about Siemens acquires Austemper Design Systems to strengthen product lifecycle management offering

ABB claims its ‘world first’ digital connected paint atomizer can save ‘millions of dollars’

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ABB has launched what it claims is the “world’s first digital connected paint atomizer”, adding that the technology could potentially save “millions of dollars” for users.

The new solution – the ABB Ability Connected Atomizer – combines “state-of-the-art hardware” with ABB Ability digital platform to achieve “breakthrough paint performance”, says ABB.

The connected, sensor-equipped, robotic paint atomizer allows for real-time smart diagnostics and precise paint control to optimize painting quality, says ABB.  [Read more…] about ABB claims its ‘world first’ digital connected paint atomizer can save ‘millions of dollars’

Geek Plus launches ‘world’s first’ interweaving sorting robot for warehouses

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Geek Plus Robotics has launched the latest version of what it claims is “the world’s first interweaving sorting robot” for warehouses, which could be an alternative to conveyor systems.

The robot – called S20 – looks similar to the typical autonomous mobile platforms which have become familiar in roboticised warehouses, but it has a small conveyor belt on top.

In a typical operation, a human warehouse worker could place an item on top of the robot, on the conveyor belt, and then the robot would navigate to the appropriate bin which may be on the other side of the facility, and then place the item in the appropriate bin. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Geek Plus launches ‘world’s first’ interweaving sorting robot for warehouses

Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

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In this article, Robotics and Automation News ponders on the prospects for, and recent history in, America’s manufacturing sector.

One of the main reasons Donald Trump won the US presidential election is because he pledged to revitalise the American manufacturing sector and bring back jobs that have been lost to other nations over the past couple of decades.

Some may argue that he’s done well so far, persuading big-name companies such as Apple and General Motors to increase their investment in manufacturing operations in the US rather than spend the money abroad.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

Siemens, Lufthansa and Glaxo gear up for 3D printing expo In(3D)ustry

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The third edition of IN(3D)USTRY is taking shape and the event, organised by Fira de Barcelona, ​​already has the confirmed presence of high level representatives from companies which are successfully using 3D printing.

The event, which this year incorporates new sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, moulds and dies, plastic converters and new materials, will include around thirty speakers and some 50 exhibiting companies.

Amongst the companies which will be taking part in IN(3D)USTRY, from 16 to 18 October at Fira de Barcelona, Spain, are Siemens, Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance division of the German aeronautics company, as well as the British pharmaceutical industry multinational, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

[Read more…] about Siemens, Lufthansa and Glaxo gear up for 3D printing expo In(3D)ustry

ABB launches newest member of its YuMi collaborative robot range

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ABB has launched the newest member of its YuMi collaborative industrial robot family. The company had unveiled the model in Japan towards the end of last year, and this looks to be the formal launch in Europe. 

The company unveiled the new, single-arm version – full technical name the ABB IRB 14050 single-arm collaborative robot (main picture) – at the ongoing Automatica event. ABB says the machine is its “most agile and compact collaborative robot yet and can easily integrate into existing production”.

The single-arm YuMi has the same safety features, precision and ease-of-use as dual-arm YuMi, says ABB, adding that it weighs less than 10 kg and has seven-axis dexterity.  [Read more…] about ABB launches newest member of its YuMi collaborative robot range

Industry analysis: 8 technologies that will transform manufacturing

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Advisory firm ABI Research has listed what it regards as the most transformative technologies in manufacturing.

The company outlines how the technologies fit together with each other in its report Smart Manufacturing.

The eight transformative technologies the report highlights are:

  1. Additive manufacturing
  2. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  3. Augmented reality
  4. Blockchain
  5. Digital twins
  6. Edge intelligence
  7. Industrial Internet of Things platforms
  8. Robotics

The manufacturing sector has already seen increased adoption of IIoT platforms and edge intelligence, says ABI.  [Read more…] about Industry analysis: 8 technologies that will transform manufacturing

ABB launches third-generation of its ‘Foundry Prime’ industrial robot arm

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ABB has launched the third-generation of its “Foundry Prime” industrial robotic arm.

The company says the new robot “reduces maintenance cost by up to 60 percent” and operates at “15 percent less energy consumption”.

The IRB 6790 (main picture) targets high-pressure water-jet cleaning applications in harsh industrial environments with 100 percent humidity.  [Read more…] about ABB launches third-generation of its ‘Foundry Prime’ industrial robot arm

Geek Plus boss says customer demand led company to go global

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The senior executive responsible for the global operations of Geek Plus, the warehouse robotics and automation technology provider, says customer demand led the company to go global. 

Speaking to Robotics and Automation News at the recent e-commerce and logistics event, Deliver, Fung said the startup receives customer enquiries every day from all over the world.

Lit Fung, general manager of Geek Plus, said: “From 2016 to 2018, Geek Plus has delivered nearly 4,000 units of our self-driving intelligent robotics systems to more than 55 clients from various industries, including giants like Alibaba, Suning, China Post, and also customers from the third-party logistics sector as well as the pharmaceutical field.

“Apart from that, many customers in Europe, Southeast Asia, contact us to check if Geek Plus automated warehouse robots could be deployed and integrated to their warehouse systems, which strongly motivated us to expand our business to the global market.”  [Read more…] about Geek Plus boss says customer demand led company to go global

ABB and Kawasaki partner to launch ‘world’s first’ operating system for collaborative robots

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ABB and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are showcasing the world’s first common collaborative robot operating interface at the ongoing Automatica event. 

The two companies are among the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturers, with almost half a million installations worldwide.

The companies say the new common interface will help address the shortage of skilled workers in many industries. In Japan, for example, one person in five is within a decade of retirement.  [Read more…] about ABB and Kawasaki partner to launch ‘world’s first’ operating system for collaborative robots