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New large ABB robots ‘increase speed and flexibility’ in electric vehicle battery production

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ABB is adding two new robot product lines to its portfolio of large robots for complex manufacturing applications.

ABB says the new robots deliver “enhanced speed, accuracy, flexibility, and a more robust design”, including integrated process cabling, adding that the ABB IRB 5710 and 5720 robots deliver “increased productivity and enhanced performance with higher uptime for applications” including electric vehicle manufacture, foundry, forging, rubber, plastics, and metal fabrication.

Available in eight variants, the IRB 5710 and IRB 5720 present a choice of options for payloads from 70 kg to 180 kg and reaches from 2.3 m to 3 m. [Read more…] about New large ABB robots ‘increase speed and flexibility’ in electric vehicle battery production

ABB launches robot alignment software to ‘increase electronics manufacturing speed and accuracy’

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ABB Robotics has launched an industry leading, pioneering software solution to transform speed and accuracy in electronics assembly.

Packed with 50 years of software expertise, ABB’s High Speed Alignment software is the first to offer manufacturers the ability to increase the speed of 6-axis robots by 70 percent, and accuracy by 50 percent – significantly reducing time-to-market while increasing accuracy levels.

The PC-based software includes Visual Servoing technology using one or more cameras, combined with a computer vision system, to control the position of the robot relative to the workpiece. [Read more…] about ABB launches robot alignment software to ‘increase electronics manufacturing speed and accuracy’

Panasonic launches new factory automation systems

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Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe has introduced its NPM G Series, an integrated range of Surface Mounted Technology production systems designed to respond in real-time to customer supply and demand changes through continuous, autonomous updates – helping to make the autonomous factory a reality.

The Panasonic NPM G Series offers flexibility and customisable options to address production needs and extend automation in manufacturing.

Many production sites still rely on their employee’s knowledge and manpower – the so called 5M (Human, Machine, Material, Method, Measurement) method. The new Panasonic NPM G Series uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated production to improve the process. [Read more…] about Panasonic launches new factory automation systems

ABB unveils new large robots for material handling in EV battery production

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ABB is adding two new robot ranges to its portfolio of large robots for complex manufacturing applications.

Delivering “enhanced speed, accuracy, flexibility, and a more robust design including integrated process cabling”, ABB’s IRB 5710 and 5720 robots deliver increased productivity and enhanced performance with higher uptime for applications including electric vehicle (EV) manufacture, foundry, forging, rubber, plastics, and metal fabrication.

Available in eight variants, the IRB 5710 and IRB 5720 present a choice of options for payloads from 70 kg to 180 kg and reaches from 2.3 m to 3 m. [Read more…] about ABB unveils new large robots for material handling in EV battery production

ATI unveils ‘ultra-thin’ force torque sensor for robots

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ATI Industrial Automation has unveiled its “ultra-thin” Mini43LP Force/Torque Sensor, which the company says provides “high-precision force sensing in a rugged, yet compact transducer”.

At less than 8 mm tall, the newest member of ATI’s force/torque sensor product range is “uniquely suited for smaller automated applications”, says ATI.

The low profile sensor body allows users to optimize their work envelope and preserve the robot’s lifting power for end-of-arm tools. [Read more…] about ATI unveils ‘ultra-thin’ force torque sensor for robots

Velodyne to provide its lidar sensors to Renu Robotics

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Velodyne Lidar has reached a multi-year agreement to provide its Puck lidar sensors to Renu Robotics, an industry leader in autonomous vegetation management systems.

Renu Robotics’ Renubot, a fully autonomous, all-electric mower, helps solar and energy facilities cut costs, time and carbon emissions, while maintaining the grounds for maximum performance of the facility.

Renu Robotics selected the Puck after a competitive product review. The company found that Velodyne’s Puck offered superior quality, reliability and performance, including significantly less system interference for optimal positional accuracy. [Read more…] about Velodyne to provide its lidar sensors to Renu Robotics

Teknic ClearPath servos power Guinness World Record domino robot

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Teknic’s ClearPath servos were used to power a much-talked-about robot called “the Dominator”, a Guinness World Record setting robot, made by Mark Rober (main picture). 

In just over 24 hours, the Dominator placed more than over 100,000 dominos to create a Super Mario Brothers mural. (See video below.)

Teknic’s all-in-one servos were used to power the omnidirectional wheels to place 300 dominos at a time, with an accuracy of a couple millimeters. [Read more…] about Teknic ClearPath servos power Guinness World Record domino robot

Geek+ and Circle K implement ‘Asia’s largest smart warehouse for grocery deliveries’

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Geek+ is supplying 100 autonomous mobile robots to Circle K for its distribution center in Hong Kong.

The companies say the implementation represents the commitment of Geek+ and Circle K Hong Kong to “build supply chain resilience using technology and support customers with a wide selection of products and excellent services”.

Today, the distribution center of 140,000 square feet handles the deliveries of more than 300 Circle K convenience stores in Hong Kong, serving over 600,000 customers daily. [Read more…] about Geek+ and Circle K implement ‘Asia’s largest smart warehouse for grocery deliveries’

KVH introduces P-series IMUs with PIC technology and new accelerometers

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KVH Industries, a specialist mobile connectivity and inertial navigation systems provider, has introduced the P-1750 IMU and the P-1725 IMU to complement the previously released P-1775 IMU and create a full line of IMUs that feature high-performance accelerometers and KVH’s patented photonic integrated chip (PIC) technology.

The KVH P-series IMUs are offered in the same proven, compact IMU housing design, and now offer more dynamic and accurate sensor performance delivering improved navigation capability and more environmental robustness in vibration and shock capability for more challenging applications.

Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s CEO, says: “We are pleased to continue integrating our groundbreaking PIC technology into our inertial navigation products for use in the large and growing autonomous market. [Read more…] about KVH introduces P-series IMUs with PIC technology and new accelerometers

Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains

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Register here for the free and live webinar now on Tuesday 18th May, 11am EDT
Webinar: How Automation Can Hold the Key to Increased Efficiency for Healthcare Fulfilment, on Tuesday 18th May (11am EDT)

Healthcare supply chains have been placed under huge stress over the past 15 months given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with warehouse operations having been heavily affected due to demand fluctuations and workforce capabilities.

Supply chain leaders from healthcare providers and distributors must ensure that they have the capabilities to deliver in line with the ongoing volatile nature of the market. [Read more…] about Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains