Market trends and business perspectives
Yaskawa Electric, one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, has begun sales of its new collaborative robot.
The Motoman HC20 DT is said to be anti-dust and drip-proof, with a payload capacity of 20kg and a maximum reach of 1,700 mm.
Yaskawa launches its new cobot against the background of a labor shortage that is worsening due to a decline in the working-age population. [Read more…] about Yaskawa begins sales of its new collaborative robot
There are many operational challenges today that are constraining organizations in their search for new advancements to improve their business procedures and accelerate product development cycles.
Rapid prototyping services has risen as a key empowering innovation, with its capacity to abbreviate item plan and advancement time.
Rapid prototyping services is an innovation for rapidly manufacturing physical models, utilitarian models and little clumps of parts legitimately from PC supported plan (CAD) information. [Read more…] about Rapid Prototyping Services: A Key Empowering Innovation
Swisslog is to install a purpose-built, high-tech, highly automated storage, handling and picking solution for Jaycar Electronics.
Jaycar, an electronics retailer and e-tailer, says it is investing in the advanced warehouse in Sydney so it can deliver the efficiency and performance needed to drive its growing business into the future.
Logistics automation specialists, Swisslog, has been chosen to provide the highly automated storage, handling and picking solution at the core of the new-build site. [Read more…] about Swisslog to install ‘highly automated’ warehouse for Jaycar Electronics
by Mai Tao
Powering zero-emission, autonomous container transportation with direct current charging infrastructure
ABB has won a contract from ST Engineering Land Systems to deliver and commission integrated smart charging points for automated guided vehicles (AGV) in the new Tuas port of Singapore.
Deliveries of the vehicles, which will be deployed to transport heavy shipping containers at the port terminal, are scheduled to begin from September 2020 through to August 2022.
The ABB chargers and supporting infrastructure are set to be installed towards the end of 2020. [Read more…] about ABB to electrify automated vehicles for new port in Singapore
by Mai Tao
Omron, NTT Docomo, and Nokia have agreed to jointly conduct trials utilizing the fifth-generation mobile communications system in factories and other manufacturing sites.
Through these trials, the three companies will jointly evaluate the usefulness and possibilities of 5G’s high-speed, large-capacity, low-latency, and simultaneous multiple connections with the aim of solving the challenges facing the manufacturing industry and developing communications technology required in manufacturing sites of the future.
In the manufacturing industry, the demand for wireless communications is increasing as efforts aimed at improving productivity through the use of IoT data make progress in dealing with various issues, such as a shortage of skilled workers and high-mix low-volume production. [Read more…] about Omron, NTT, and Nokia partner to test 5G networks at manufacturing sites
by Mai Tao
Swedish telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson says September 2019 marks “a major milestone in smart manufacturing capabilities”.
The reason for this is that the $50 million transformation of the company’s existing factory in Nanjing, China, has now reached its conclusion.
The resulting automated factory stands “among the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the industry”, claims Ericsson. [Read more…] about Ericsson automated smart factory now operational in China
Škoda Auto has opened a new automotive paint shop at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, featuring 66 industrial robots configured for applying the paint.
Up to 168,000 car bodies will be coated with paint there each year, taking the plant’s total annual painting capacity up to 812,000 vehicles.
Škoda Auto has invested €214.5 million in the new building, creating more than 650 new jobs. (See infographic below.) [Read more…] about Škoda opens new $200 million paint shop featuring 66 robots
by Keyam
General Motors has announced the second major expansion of its full-size pickup production capacity this year: a $150 million investment at Flint Assembly to increase production of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.
This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand.
GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the Flint Assembly since 2013, enabling an increase in the truck plant’s production capacity of the all-new Chevrolet and GMC HD pickups by about 40,000 vehicles annually, including more crew cab models and diesels. [Read more…] about GM to invest $150 million in Flint truck assembly plant
Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of the new electric car ID.3, although none are for sale yet.
The initiative involved the conversion of VW’s vehicle factory in Zwickau, which the company says will eventually be “the largest facility for electric mobility in Europe”.
The members of Volkswagen’s group and brand boards of management, as well as the group works council, were able to see that for themselves at today’s site symposium for all three locations in Saxony held at Zwickau. [Read more…] about Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of its new electric car ID.3
by Sam Francis
Proton Motor says it is planning to install a new robot to accelerate the manufacturing of fuel cell units intended for use in road vehicles and other technologies.
The new “stack manufacturing robot” – referring to a fuel cell stack – will increase production capacity to 5,000 fuel cells a year, says Proton.
Germany-based Proton Motor Fuel Cell is a designer, developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems with a “zero carbon footprint”. Its technology is used in the e.Go, an autonomous electric vehicle (main picture). [Read more…] about Proton Motor to install new robot to accelerate fuel cell production
Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.
Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.
Thank you.
This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.
If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.
We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.
We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.
