Robotics & Automation News

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automation systems

Why Surface Finish Determines Robot Reliability

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In industrial automation, failures rarely begin with a dramatic breakdown of an entire machine. More often, the problem arises at a point of contact: a terminal, busbar, connector, or component that has operated for years in humid conditions, under load, and at fluctuating temperatures.

Although a metal surface represents only a small fraction of the entire component, it can determine the stability of electrical conductivity, mechanical durability, and the feasibility of subsequent assembly processes.

This is why electroplated coatings are becoming increasingly important in the manufacture of components for the power industry, electronics, e-mobility, and control systems. Nickel and tin are not merely decorative finishes. [Read more…] about Why Surface Finish Determines Robot Reliability

Simple Automation for an Older Factory

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Not every factory upgrade needs to be a full robotic overhaul. For plants that have been running the same lines for a decade or more, the idea of “automation” can sound expensive, disruptive, and a little bit risky to be honest.

But bringing automation into an older facility doesn’t have to mean tearing everything out and starting fresh. In most cases, the smartest path is the simplest one: automate a few specific tasks, prove the value, and build from there.

Here’s how to approach it in a way that’s practical, affordable, and easy on your existing operation.  [Read more…] about Simple Automation for an Older Factory

Best Smart Locker Solutions for Automating Device Access in 2026

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IT teams are moving device handoffs out of email threads, help desk queues, and storage rooms. A laptop loan, charger pickup, broken-device swap, or new-hire deployment can now happen through a controlled smart locker workflow instead of a manual exchange. 

That shift has created a crowded category. Some smart locker solutions are built specifically for IT asset workflows. Others started as parcel lockers, access-control cabinets, key cabinets, or general storage systems and have been adapted for device access.

The distinction matters because the value is not only in the door lock. It is in the software, integrations, audit trail, and remote management layer behind it. [Read more…] about Best Smart Locker Solutions for Automating Device Access in 2026

Yaskawa and Dale Automation partner to boost efficiency in southern African manufacturing

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Southern African manufacturers are facing unprecedented operational pressures, from rising labour costs to growing demand for processed foods.

To meet these challenges, companies are turning to automated solutions on the factory floor, and the partnership between Yaskawa Southern Africa and Dale Automation effectively demonstrates how robotics and material-handling expertise can transform end-of-line operations. [Read more…] about Yaskawa and Dale Automation partner to boost efficiency in southern African manufacturing

Epson Robots expands SCARA lineup with high-payload LS50C

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Epson Robots has expanded its SCARA lineup with the new LS50C. As Epson’s largest payload SCARA, the LS50C is designed to deliver powerful performance and flexibility in a compact, cost-effective form factor.

Offering multiple configurations, with a 1,000 mm reach and support for payloads up to 50 kg, it is engineered to handle demanding, high-precision automation needs while maximizing capability and minimizing footprint.

Paired with SafeSense technology, which may reduce the need for traditional safety guarding in certain applications, following proper risk assessment, the system enables users with a more efficient use of space and can contribute to lowering the overall cost of their automation setup. [Read more…] about Epson Robots expands SCARA lineup with high-payload LS50C

Tungsten Carbide Manufacturing and the Future of Next-Generation Robotics

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Robotics is often discussed through software, sensors, artificial intelligence, and automation platforms. Those areas deserve attention, but they are not the whole story.

Every robot still depends on physical parts that move, grip, cut, guide, press, rotate, and repeat the same motions for thousands or millions of cycles. That is where material choice becomes more important than many people realize.

As robots move into more demanding industrial settings, the question is no longer only what a robot can do. It is also how long that robot can do the work accurately. [Read more…] about Tungsten Carbide Manufacturing and the Future of Next-Generation Robotics

From Cloud to Robot: Why Network Infrastructure is the Critical Failure Point in Modern Automation

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Automation has advanced rapidly in recent years, driven by improvements in artificial intelligence, machine vision, and robotics hardware.

From warehouse robotics to autonomous delivery systems and industrial automation, the capabilities of modern systems are no longer the primary limitation.

Instead, the bottleneck is increasingly something far less visible: network infrastructure. [Read more…] about From Cloud to Robot: Why Network Infrastructure is the Critical Failure Point in Modern Automation

From Disruption to Stability: How Sociality Limited Helps Growing Platforms Scale Without Breaking

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Most platforms don’t fail because they grew too fast. According to the pattern Sociality Limited observes across the teams it advises, they fail because they grew unevenly – with product moving at Formula 1 speed while operations, documentation, and decision rights stayed at bicycle pace.

Sociality Limited finds that this uneven growth, not raw velocity, is what creates the hairline fractures scaling platforms spend years trying to repair.

The scaling stage isn’t a finish line. It’s a translation problem – converting what worked at 10,000 users into something that can work at 1,000,000 without exhausting the people who built it. [Read more…] about From Disruption to Stability: How Sociality Limited Helps Growing Platforms Scale Without Breaking

Why Automation Systems Fail Without Weather Intelligence

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The Hidden Dependency in Automation Systems

Automation systems are designed for precision, consistency, and minimal human intervention. From autonomous robots navigating complex environments to logistics platforms optimizing delivery routes, these systems rely on constant data inputs to function effectively.

Sensors, cameras, and machine learning models often receive most of the attention, since they are seen as the core technologies behind automated decision-making.

Yet many automation systems still fail in ways that appear unpredictable. A delivery robot pauses unexpectedly. A drone reroutes inefficiently. A scheduling system miscalculates timing. In many cases, the root cause is neither mechanical nor algorithmic. It is environmentally friendly. [Read more…] about Why Automation Systems Fail Without Weather Intelligence

What Automation Designers Can Learn from Everyday Cyber Threats

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At a time when automation has become the main driver of technological progress, the role of automation designers goes far beyond engineering processes.

With this change comes a new level of responsibility. Namely, ensuring the security of automated systems.

Cyber threats, which were previously mainly a problem for IT departments, now pose a serious threat to those involved in the design of automation systems. Knowledge of cyber security is becoming critical for every professional involved in the design of automated solutions. [Read more…] about What Automation Designers Can Learn from Everyday Cyber Threats

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