Robotics & Automation News

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automotive

Hitachi Automotive Systems acquires German automotive device software developer seneos

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Hitachi Automotive Systems has completed the acquisition of all shares in seneos.

Through this transaction, seneos, a German automotive device software developer, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Automotive Systems.

Hitachi Automotive Systems supplies products and systems in growth areas such as electrification and is expanding its customer base of European automakers, growing sales of new products and solutions. [Read more…] about Hitachi Automotive Systems acquires German automotive device software developer seneos

RapidFit uses new horizontal arm device to measure components for automotive sector

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Materialise Group spin-off RapidFit has implemented a horizontal-arm co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufactured by LK Metrology in Derbyshire, UK to check the accuracy of bespoke gaging and holding fixtures produced for the automotive industry.

Based in Leuven, Belgium, RapidFit has reduced costs and lead-times by making use of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to produce workpiece locators that are added to standard fixture components.

The technology enables vehicle production to be streamlined, as innovative fixtures can be constructed with enhanced functionality and better repeatability. [Read more…] about RapidFit uses new horizontal arm device to measure components for automotive sector

GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

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Using the UR10e, the company says it has eliminated the tedious and physically taxing tests manually conducted by employees

Universal Robots says GÖPEL electronic, a manufacturer of testing and inspection systems for electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, has developed a revolutionary, automated quality control system for its automotive customers using its UR10e cobot.

According to Thomas Schöppe, senior team manager at GÖPEL electronic, the cobot replaces the company’s manual and cumbersome end of line seating test system. He says: “Previously, our employees have to simulate the vehicle-driver interaction.

For example, pressing the seat’s buttons and switches to measure the voltage or current. This process could often result in production errors which proved costly further down the manufacturing line. [Read more…] about GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

Overcoming chip defectivity challenges in automotive product development

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By Serena Brischetto, marketing and communications manager at SEMI Europe

In the future, electronics-related gear including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) will account for a whopping 50 percent of automotive costs.

More importantly, with more control of vehicles shifting to automation, the margin of error in component performance and reliability will become vanishingly small as zero defects become the new safety standard.

SEMI’s Serena Brischetto spoke with Antoine Amade, senior regional director EMEA, Entegris about zero defects as a “new collaborative approach” (see video below) necessary to shape the car of the future and the automotive industry. [Read more…] about Overcoming chip defectivity challenges in automotive product development

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

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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

Former BMW Munich engine assembly and test facility for sale

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Global advisory and asset management specialist, Gordon Brothers, is conducting the “unprecedented sale” of an ex-BMW Munich Engine Assembly and Test facility.

The sale features state-of-the-art equipment supplied from world renowned German automotive original equipment manufacturers GROB, KUKA, and J W Froehlich, supported by the latest Siemen’s and Thyssen Krupp hardware, software and operating systems.

The sale also encompasses all necessary equipment to assemble and test full dressed engines. To ensure throughput at the desired rate of assembly the facility includes 15 off KUKA and J W Froehlich Test units covering engine Cold test, Leak test and Helium test. [Read more…] about Former BMW Munich engine assembly and test facility for sale

Maxim launches ‘industry’s smallest’ LiDAR integrated circuits

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Chipmaker Maxim Integrated has unveiled what it says is “the industry’s smallest light detection and ranging integrated circuits”.

The company says the ICs provide twice the bandwidth than competing ICs and are intended for faster self-driving cars.

Maxim says designers of automotive self-driving systems can now enable higher-speed autonomous driving through the industry’s fastest and smallest LiDAR ICs. [Read more…] about Maxim launches ‘industry’s smallest’ LiDAR integrated circuits

Special report: Robotics and automation in automotive manufacturing and supply chains

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in association with SICK AppSpace

The automotive industry is undergoing the most fundamental transformation in its history and, as this article suggests, a flexible approach to software development will become essential to companies that want to stay competitive.

As well as applications development, industry is experiencing the impact of other key technologies such as:

  • robotics and automation;
  • supply chains, warehousing and logistics;
  • digitalisation;
  • electric engines;
  • autonomous systems; and
  • connectivity, or the internet of things.

Clearly, it would be almost impossible to go into any great depth in a 2,000-word article, but we will at least bring to your attention the new technologies that are already changing the automotive landscape. [Read more…] about Special report: Robotics and automation in automotive manufacturing and supply chains

Advanced driver assistance systems: Disrupting the global automotive safety landscape

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Automotive accidents and road mishaps and the subsequent injuries and fatalities present a significant global concern today.

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, nearly 1.25 million people succumb to road accidents every year, which equates to an average of almost 3,287 deaths a day.

Despite the alarming statistics however, strong technological evolution across the industrial landscape, particularly in the automotive domain, is ensuring that things take a turn for the better. [Read more…] about Advanced driver assistance systems: Disrupting the global automotive safety landscape

NXP launches new ‘multi-gigabit’ automotive Ethernet switch for time-sensitive networking

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NXP, one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive semiconductors, has launched a “multi-gigabit Ethernet switch” designed to help automakers deliver the high-speed networks required for evolving connected vehicles.

NXP says its SJA1110 is “the first automotive Ethernet switch with safety capabilities built in”, offering integrated 100BASE-T1 PHYs, hardware-assisted security as well as multi-gigabit interfaces.

Optimized for integration with NXP’s S32G vehicle network processor, the SJA1110 switch is also part of an overall networking solution which includes the VR5510 power management integrated circuit. [Read more…] about NXP launches new ‘multi-gigabit’ automotive Ethernet switch for time-sensitive networking