Robotics & Automation News

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Mecademic Robotics expands into huge markets with its tiny robot

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Mecademic Robotics, the Canada-based maker of a tiny industrial robot, is expanding into some of the largest robotics markets in the world.

The company has reached strategic agreements with new “value-added partners” which will enable it to grow into reginal markets in the US, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia.

As the global market continues to see increased demand for small industrial robot arms, Mecademic says it has increased its production capacity and regional presence to better serve its customers.

Mecademic describes its new partners – which are Allied Automation (USA), The Knotts Company (USA), Electromate (Canada), Pagès Group (France), LMZ (Germany), and Andrew Donald Design Engineering (Australia) – as “cutting-edge automation solution providers”. [Read more…] about Mecademic Robotics expands into huge markets with its tiny robot

GM to invest $800 million to convert existing facility into Canada’s first large-scale commercial EV plant

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American auto giant General Motors to invest $800 million to convert one of its existing facilities into Canada’s first large-scale commercial electric vehicle manufacturing plant.

Subject to ratification of a tentative 2021 agreement reached with Unifor and confirmation of government support, GM plans to bring production of its recently announced BrightDrop electric light commercial vehicle, the EV600, to its CAMI manufacturing plant in Ingersoll, Ontario (main picture, courtesy 3BL Media).

The nearly $800 million (1 billion Canadian dollar) investment will support GM’s timing to deliver BrightDrop EV600 in late 2021. The investment will enable GM to convert CAMI into Canada’s first large-scale electric delivery vehicles manufacturing plant. [Read more…] about GM to invest $800 million to convert existing facility into Canada’s first large-scale commercial EV plant

Canada imposes tariffs on US goods in retaliation

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Canada is to impose tariffs on American imports in retaliation for the recent decision by the US to levy a 10 percent tax on Canadian aluminum imports.

Canada’s deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland says that the tariffs would match the US taxes “dollar for dollar”, according to a story on Manufacturing.net.

President Donald Trump (main picture) has been expressing his dissatisfaction with the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement since coming to office and at one point wanted to take America out of it. [Read more…] about Canada imposes tariffs on US goods in retaliation

Trump to reimpose tariffs on aluminum from Canada

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US President Donald Trump says he has signed a document that will lead to the reimposition of tariffs on aluminum imported from Canada. 

Trump made the announcement during a visit to a Whirlpool factory in Clyde, Ohion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Trump said: “Canada was taking advantage of us, as usual. The aluminum business was being decimated by Canada, very unfair to our jobs and our great aluminum workers.” [Read more…] about Trump to reimpose tariffs on aluminum from Canada

Epson Robots signs Olympus Controls as distributor

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Epson Robots has signed Olympus Controls, an engineering services provider specializing in the integration of motion control, machine vision, and robotic technologies, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation products.

As factory automation projects become increasingly complex, strong collaboration between distributors and robot vendors is essential.

Olympus Controls’ decades of engineering expertise and deep industry knowledge, combined with Epson Robots’ reputation for easy-to-use, proven, innovative technology, will help manufacturers reach today’s challenging factory automation objectives. [Read more…] about Epson Robots signs Olympus Controls as distributor

NGen invests $5 million into manufacturing of disinfection robots

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Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), the industry-led organization leading Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, is co-investing $5 million in projects leading to the development and production in Canada of automated hands-free disinfection technologies to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Five outstanding projects have been selected for funding under NGen’s Disinfection Robot Challenge. With matching contributions from industry, total value of these projects will exceed $10 million.

In April NGen challenged companies to develop innovative robotic solutions that would reduce the number of healthcare associated infections to protect the safety of both patients and healthcare workers, or that would disinfect private spaces and facilities so that businesses could bring employees back to work in a safe and sanitized environment. [Read more…] about NGen invests $5 million into manufacturing of disinfection robots

Porsche selects DB Schenker to operate Canada distribution centre

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Porsche Cars Canada has selected DB Schenker to operate its new Mississauga, Ontario parts distribution centre.

Expected to ship about 282,000 orders during its first year in operation, the new facility joins two other DB Schenker-Porsche parts distribution centres that are already operating in China and Korea.

Known for making some of the world’s best-known sports cars, sedans, and SUVs, Porsche Cars Canada, has selected DB Schenker Canada to operate its new parts distribution centre in Mississauga, Ontario. [Read more…] about Porsche selects DB Schenker to operate Canada distribution centre

Expanded Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show returns to Toronto

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An expanded Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show returns to Toronto at the end of this month with a focus on the technologies driving the future of Canada’s manufacturing sector. 

Top-notch speaker on the roster include industry innovators Jim Balsillie, Jean Charest and Ric Fulop.

CMTS is said to be Canada’s leading industry event and is held at the International Centre Toronto, from September 30 to October 3. This year, organisers say it will be bigger in both size and scope. [Read more…] about Expanded Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show returns to Toronto

Epson signs Interfaced Technologies as distributor in Canada

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Epson Robots, a supplier of SCARA robots, has signed Interfaced Technologies, a distributor of industrial assembly technology and equipment, as an official distributor for the full line of Epson Robots automation products.

This includes Epson SCARA, 6-Axis and Linear Module robots as well as integrated solutions such as the IntelliFlex Feeding System, Vision Guide, Force Guide and many other industrial automation products offered by Epson Robots.

The distribution territory will cover the Ontario, Canada region. [Read more…] about Epson signs Interfaced Technologies as distributor in Canada

Volvo CE opens parts distribution centre in Canada

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Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has opened a new parts distribution centre in Toronto, Canada, to better serve its customers in the country.

With the new centre, Volvo CE will be able to deliver critical parts the next day after an order is placed to dealers in most major markets across Canada.

Volvo CE dealers in Canada forsee huge benefits to having a distribution centre based in the country. Prior to the opening of the centre, the company shipped all parts to its Canadian dealers from the United States. This entailed processing through customs, which could cause delays in delivery and increase machine idle time.

[Read more…] about Volvo CE opens parts distribution centre in Canada