assembly

Intelligent image processing supports production workers in Industry 4.0 applications

July 3, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Automation plays a major role in Industry 4.0. Cost reduction, increased productivity and zero-defect quality are factors that are increasingly prompting companies to digitise their processes.

But often full automation also means high investments. At the same time, the focus will continue to be on the human being in the interaction between man and machine.

Given the prevailing shortage of skilled workers and high standards of industrial safety, this is no easy task for companies. [Read more…] about Intelligent image processing supports production workers in Industry 4.0 applications

RIOS raises $5 million to launch robots with ‘human-level dexterity’

July 1, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

RIOS, a developer of dexterous AI-powered robots for automating assembly lines, has come out of stealth mode and raised $5 million in venture funding.

RIOS, which spun out of Stanford University and was founded by former Xerox PARC engineers, helps customers automate their factories, warehouses, and supply chain operations by installing what it describes as a “new class of highly-dexterous robots” that handle hard-to-automate tasks in unstructured environments.

RIOS not only automates individual lines, but also builds “lights out” factories by partnering with its network of systems integrators. [Read more…] about RIOS raises $5 million to launch robots with ‘human-level dexterity’

Grote automates sandwich production using Stäubli robot to make one per second

June 24, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

US-based company Grote specializes in automating production lines that slice, fill and cut sandwiches. Until recently, the upper and lower halves of the sandwich were put together manually. Now, Grote has managed to automate this process as well, using a Stäubli TX2-60 HE six-axis robot with wash-down capability.

Filling a sandwich is not a particularly arduous task. That is, unless it is being done on an industrial scale with a throughput of thousands of sandwiches per hour.

The raw materials – slices of sausage, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce – can be difficult to handle and the assembly process consists of many steps that can vary for each product. [Read more…] about Grote automates sandwich production using Stäubli robot to make one per second

Kuka supplies Webasto with production equipment for assembly of battery systems

June 10, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Kuka is supplying a robotic system for the assembly of battery systems for a company called Webasto.

Kuka says the automotive industry is resolutely driving forward in the development of electromobility.

Webasto, a supplier of systems to the automotive industry, is also entering the field of battery systems production. [Read more…] about Kuka supplies Webasto with production equipment for assembly of battery systems

Kuka says its ‘sensitive robot’ increases efficiency in automotive final assembly

June 2, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Industrial robot maker Kuka says its “sensitive robot” is helping to increase efficiency at the final stages of assembly in the automotive manufacturing sector.

The company says car manufacturers are always looking for solutions to increase the efficiency of assembly on the assembly line.

Innovative automation solutions should increase the degree of automation, says Kuka, and human and robot increasingly share the workplace along the assembly line. [Read more…] about Kuka says its ‘sensitive robot’ increases efficiency in automotive final assembly

ASM Assembly Systems uses Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer robot for quality control checks

June 2, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer robot has been carrying out the automated quality control of components at ASM Assembly Solutions.

Rethink, now part of the Hahn Group, says the ASM setup was simple and the operation enabled Sawyer to “quickly achieve high levels of acceptance among employees”.

The task of the SMT Solutions business segment in the ASM Pacific Technology group is to support, implement and realize the SMT Smart Factory for electronics manufacturers worldwide. [Read more…] about ASM Assembly Systems uses Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer robot for quality control checks

Kuka gains three new orders for assembly line conversions

April 27, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Kuka Systems has won three new orders for assembly line conversions.

The automation specialist says that converting existing assembly lines is “time-critical and requires significant experience in systems engineering”.

Within the scope of two new orders, Kuka says it is leveraging its “comprehensive expertise to provide support in the quick and efficient conversion of plants”. [Read more…] about Kuka gains three new orders for assembly line conversions

WellPCB Offers One-Stop PCB Assembly Service

April 15, 2020 by Polly Leave a Comment

There are several reasons for the popularity of the China PCB Assembly service. One of the most worthy of mentioning is its low cost with super quality.

WellPCB is providing One-Stop PCB Assembly Turnkey Services to meet almost any needs you may require. This page will help you to know more about our PCBA services and capabilities. [Read more…] about WellPCB Offers One-Stop PCB Assembly Service

Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

April 10, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new method that doesn’t require any special equipment and works in just minutes to create soft, flexible, 3D-printed robots. (See video below.)

The innovation comes from rethinking the way soft robots are built: instead of figuring out how to add soft materials to a rigid robot body, the UC San Diego researchers started with a soft body and added rigid features to key components.

The structures were inspired by insect exoskeletons, which have both soft and rigid parts – the researchers called their creations “flexoskeletons”. [Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

March 12, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

The world’s leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics, automatica, will take place in Munich from June 16 to 19.

One main focus of the event will be on making automobile production more flexible.

Numerous exhibitors will present alternatives to conventional assembly line production with stationary conveyor technology, for example driverless transport systems and, of course, cobots for human-robot collaboration applications. [Read more…] about Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry