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Ranpak makes ‘strategic investment’ in Pickle Robot Company

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Ranpak, a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for e-commerce and industrial supply chains, has made a “strategic investment” in Pickle Robot Company, a developer of robotic systems for automated sorting, loading and unloading of packaged goods within logistical lines.

Pickle Robot has developed a low cost, collaborative package-handling robot that automates several key tasks along the e-commerce supply chain.

Ranpak Automation’s investment in Pickle is highly strategic, and complements and expands Ranpak’s existing portfolio of automated solutions. [Read more…] about Ranpak makes ‘strategic investment’ in Pickle Robot Company

Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

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Comau, an industrial robotics and automation specialist, has designed and developed a “high-volume module manufacturing line” to produce new generation lithium-ion batteries for Leclanché, a provider of energy storage solutions for the heavy transportation, naval and railway industries.

Comau says the “state-of-the-art, highly automated line” is the result of a simultaneous engineering process and combines industrial robots, vision systems, laser welding, and the automated in-line validation of joints via artificial intelligence. Priority was given to ensuring multi-module configurability, full traceability and the highest level of safety.

The line includes the latest quality and process control technologies, thus setting the foundation for the transition towards Industry 4.0 principles. It will also allow Leclanché to produce up to six times the company’s current capacity, reaching an output of more than 60,000 modules per year. The solution is also expected to reduce costs by up to 20 percent, support 50 different product configurations and save Leclanché valuable time when introducing new formats into the manufacturing line.  [Read more…] about Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

Miso Robotics partners with Lancer Worldwide to launch automated beverage dispenser

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Miso Robotics, a robotics and automation startup specializing in the foodservice industry, is partnering with Lancer Worldwide, a beverage dispenser manufacturer which works with the world’s top food and beverage brands, to build “an intelligence-backed, automated beverage dispenser that will bring enhanced functionality for a future-focused commercial kitchen”, according to the companies.

At a time when the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry is facing record labor shortages, operators are looking for ways to streamline operations, cut costs and implement solutions that drive a better and faster customer service experience. The pandemic drastically shifted the paradigm, creating new models for operator revenue streams that relied on drive-thru, takeout and delivery more so than ever before.

While 60 to 70 percent of certain QSR sales came from the drive-thru lane pre-pandemic, as Covid spread, major QSRs experienced a jump as high as 90 percent.1 Yet, the new delivery and drive-thru model have made the always-critical need of speed and efficiency an even bigger challenge as volume increases and staff decreases have added minutes to the clock for order completion. Because of this, total average drive-thru times slowed down by 29.8 seconds last year. [Read more…] about Miso Robotics partners with Lancer Worldwide to launch automated beverage dispenser

4 Ways to Implement Industrial Automation

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The advent of technology is changing all industries these days – optimizing processes, productions, and systems. In other words, its development is inviting the way for a more competitive and convenient way of doing business.

Industrial automation is the future of work and it has paved the way for various industrial processes to be automated effectively, economically, and safely. This has resulted in the introduction of new jobs, such as industrial technician, industrial engineer, and industrial program manager.

These new job titles, coupled with the increased efficiency brought about by industrial automation, have contributed to reducing unemployment in many industries. [Read more…] about 4 Ways to Implement Industrial Automation

Manual or Automated Testing: Which One Should You Choose?

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When your software is on a quality assurance stage, testing should start from two main choices: specialists and testing types. These decisions define the efficiency of task completion. First of all, you can outsource software testing to cover QA with fewer efforts and spendings, but A-quality.

The primary purpose of software testing is to find bugs and fix them. The proper testing allows effective bug fixing for a better user experience. So it is better to know how to choose the suitable test execution method.

For example, TestFort.com a software testing services company, provides two main testing types: manual and automated. Each of these methods is suitable for different cases. So we will help you to find out which one to choose depending on the kind of task. Let’s dig in! [Read more…] about Manual or Automated Testing: Which One Should You Choose?

Maximising uptime in industrial robotics

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Castrol’s advanced lubricants for robotic applications are designed to reduce industrial robot downtime while having a positive effect on the quality, cost and efficiency of your production process.

Industrial robots have transformed manufacturing companies across every industry, helping to increase quality and efficiency while decrease costs.

However, the threat of unplanned downtime caused by robotic failure remains a challenge for factories looking to enhance levels of automation. A single minute of interruption can cost an automotive manufacturer dearly. [Read more…] about Maximising uptime in industrial robotics

Automated Guided Vehicle Systems in Use at Audi

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State-of-the-art automotive manufacturing calls for modularity and versatility when it comes to planning and implementing material supply trolleys for intralogistics. (See video below.)

This is especially clear if you explore the Audi site in Neckarsulm, Germany, where the Audi A8 is manufactured over several floors.

Top-of-the-range models such as the Audi A8 allow customers to choose from a wide range of design options and additional extras to customize their vehicle however they want.

This means that the production teams must stock different types of components in the warehouse and utilize precise advance planning to have the required materials arrive at the line in sufficient quantities and, most importantly, in the right order. [Read more…] about Automated Guided Vehicle Systems in Use at Audi

AutoStore sells 600 robotic systems for warehouses

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DSV, a large-scale Danish transport and logistics company, is expanding its position in the third-party logistics market through the use of AutoStore technology.

Implemented by Element Logic, the system uses AutoStore robotics and Element Logic’s proprietary software to provide a leading solution for e-commerce players.

The solution is being implemented in nine countries and represents AutoStore’s 600th system implementation. [Read more…] about AutoStore sells 600 robotic systems for warehouses

Using robots to address the welder shortage

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Automated welding solutions are used across a range of industries, most commonly observed in the automotive industry where arc welding has been automated since the 1960s as a reliable method of manufacturing that increases accuracy, safety and efficiency.

The primary driver of automated welding solutions has always been a desire for reduced long term costs, increased reliability and productivity.

However, now there is a new driving force as robots are being used as a way of addressing the skills gap in the welding industry. More experienced welders are retiring in large numbers and there aren’t enough certified welders being trained to replace them. [Read more…] about Using robots to address the welder shortage

ABB robots increase automation in solar industry

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Producing a solar collector every six minutes, ABB robots make Absolicon’s solar technology a cost-competitive alternative to conventional heating.

To enable the transformation to a sustainable society and preserve resources, production of solar collector panels must be precise, highly efficient and cost effective.

To achieve this, Absolicon and ABB have developed the world’s only complete solution for the mass production of concentrated solar collectors, in Absolicon’s factory in Härnösand, Sweden. [Read more…] about ABB robots increase automation in solar industry