Robotics & Automation News

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Revolutionizing Manufacturing: How Robotics and Automation Are Reshaping Industry Processes

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In today’s world, armed with and desiring constant industrial growth, rapid technological advancements are key factors driving innovation and progress. Robotics and automation, in particular, are reshaping industries.

While leveraging technology to do jobs previously performed by humans keeps sparking debates, it has brought about a marked increase in efficiency and precision that human hands cannot manage.

Naturally, the ramifications of these advancements include a significant contribution to an increased competitive landscape as company production costs have lowered. Whether small or large-scale, to survive in this market, businesses have to invest in the latest technological developments, specifically on the robotics side. [Read more…] about Revolutionizing Manufacturing: How Robotics and Automation Are Reshaping Industry Processes

Humatics launches ‘first’ robotic system with microlocation for in-motion assembly lines

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Humatics is planning to showcase what it says is “an industry first” – an in-motion engine assembly application with multiple robotic arms working concurrently in the same pitch.

The company will show off its new microlocation technology at this year’s Automate Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Humatics says the ability to introduce automation into production environments to achieve tasks that were previously not possible with robotics “opens up a new level of cost reduction, quality control and profitability contribution for the automotive and aerospace manufacturing industries”. [Read more…] about Humatics launches ‘first’ robotic system with microlocation for in-motion assembly lines

Why You Should Use CNC Machining for Robotic Assembly

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The demand for robotic automation across all industries continues to rise as the cost of robot technology falls; but one cost-effective measure that many companies overlook is CNC Machining.

CNC machining has been used in the past primarily within manufacturing and engineering environments, such as aerospace components, medical parts and automotive parts production.

There are new applications within robotics assembling which can be greatly improved with this technology due to its ability to quickly create complex shapes along with consistent repeatability and accuracy. [Read more…] about Why You Should Use CNC Machining for Robotic Assembly

Comau supplies ‘highly intelligent’ welding robots for electric automaker

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Comau has supplied Hycan Automotive Technology with a “highly intelligent” welding solution for its framing line. The innovative system ensures multi-model manufacturing of new energy vehicles, high jobs per hour (JPH) and a concrete reduction in production losses. 

Deployed at the Hycan Hangzhou manufacturing base, the flexible automated production system can randomly switch between four different platforms, is fully compatible with the existing manufacturing platforms and is mass producing the brand’s smart, pure electric A06 sedan and stylish, intelligent-driving, pure electric SUV Z03 at a cycle efficiency of 60 JPH.

Hycan Automotive specializes in the development of electric vehicles, with a strategic focus on attracting young generations in the Chinese market. Given the diverse preferences of its target users, the need to develop a rich product range in a short period of time, and the rapid iteration of its offer, Comau engineers made sure the highly flexible welding assembly line could keep pace with the automaker’s evolving manufacturing needs. [Read more…] about Comau supplies ‘highly intelligent’ welding robots for electric automaker

Jabil to manufacture Sarcos’ robotic systems

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Sarcos Technology and Robotics, an exoskeleton and other robotic systems company, is collaborating with Jabil, a manufacturing solutions provider, to expand Sarcos’ production capacity for its robotic systems and sub-systems.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sarcos will utilize Jabil’s broad manufacturing services to produce a variety of leading-edge robotic systems and sub-systems.

Sarcos also will be able to leverage Jabil’s global footprint, strategic supplier relationships, and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to accelerate volume production while benefiting from advanced supply chain, procurement, and component-sourcing solutions. [Read more…] about Jabil to manufacture Sarcos’ robotic systems

MIT demonstrates reprogrammable materials that ‘selectively self-assemble’

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By Rachel Gordon, MIT CSAIL

While automated manufacturing is ubiquitous today, it was once a nascent field birthed by inventors such as Oliver Evans, who is credited with creating the first fully automated industrial process, in a flour mill he built and gradually automated in the late 1700s.

The processes for creating automated structures or machines are still very top-down, requiring humans, factories, or robots to do the assembling and making.

However, the way nature does assembly is ubiquitously bottom-up; animals and plants are self-assembled at a cellular level, relying on proteins to self-fold into target geometries that encode all the different functions that keep us ticking. [Read more…] about MIT demonstrates reprogrammable materials that ‘selectively self-assemble’

Peer Robotics raises $2.3 million in seed funding round

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Peer Robotics, a new mobile robotics solution for manufacturing, has raised $2.3 million in seed funding led by Kalaari Capital, with participation from existing investors Axilor Ventures, Connecticut Innovations and Innopact VC.

Rishabh Agarwal, co-founder, and CEO of Peer Robotics, says: “Small and medium-size companies are struggling with the labor shortage today, not to mention high turn-over.

“Also, many operations are still manual with employees operating at a high risk of injuries and fatigue. Solutions to date have been too expensive and complex. [Read more…] about Peer Robotics raises $2.3 million in seed funding round

Commercial vehicle maker MAN selects Magazino robot for warehouse work

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The robotics company Magazino wins commercial vehicle maker MAN as a customer for a pilot project with the SOTO robot.

The mobile robot SOTO automates the material supply between the warehouse and the assembly line, by handling and transporting small load carriers (KLT) completely autonomously.

The pilot operation started at the Nuremberg site in the engine production for trucks and offers both sides the opportunity to gain experience with the robot for a future live operation. [Read more…] about Commercial vehicle maker MAN selects Magazino robot for warehouse work

Comau expands Jeep manufacturing lines in Brazil

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Comau has expanded the end-to-end body manufacturing lines at one of the most modern car manufacturing plants in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco to produce the new 7-seat Jeep Commander SUV.

Comau has been tasked with increasing the flexibility of 14 complex lines to handle 4 different vehicle models in a completely random production flow.

The increased flexibility also extends to model-specific assembly, welding and quality inspection operations based on available inputs. [Read more…] about Comau expands Jeep manufacturing lines in Brazil

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