Robotics & Automation News

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casting

Foundry workers given ‘robotic’ glove to improve grip and protect hands

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Waupaca Foundry is using an innovative adaptive technology to support workers who manually grind iron castings in the foundry. The “Ironhand” glove is claimed to be the world’s first soft exoskeleton designed for the human hand to improve grip strength and reduce effort.

The system was tested at the iron casting supplier’s Etowah, Tennessee casting finishing plant and is currently in trials at the Marinette, Wisconsin ductile iron foundry.

The system consists of a glove covering all five fingers, and a power pack worn in a backpack or hip-carry. It is activated when the operator starts moving his/her hand to perform a task, using sensors located on the palm and on the fingers. [Read more…] about Foundry workers given ‘robotic’ glove to improve grip and protect hands

15 benefits to using Automation in High-Pressure Die Casting

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Die casting is a process that has been used for many years to create products from metal using die casting mould. It is often used when there is a need for mass production of parts, as it can be done quickly and relatively cheaply.

In recent years, however, die casting has begun to be replaced by a new process called Automation in High-Pressure Die Casting. [Read more…] about 15 benefits to using Automation in High-Pressure Die Casting

Design brief: 3D printed casting of 3-foot long robot arm

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By Alkaios Bournias Varotsis, product marketing manager, nTopology

3D printed sand casting molds and cores are changing the way high-performance, large metal parts are manufactured today.

Additive manufacturing is enabling modern foundries to produce complex metal parts in rapid lead times.

This article explains the benefits of coupling advanced design tools with 3D printed sand molds using, as an example, the redesign and manufacture of a 3-foot long robotic arm. [Read more…] about Design brief: 3D printed casting of 3-foot long robot arm

ABB upgrades its IRB 1300 robot with new protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

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ABB’s 6-axis IRB 1300 industrial robot includes new protection elements that enable it to be used in tough industrial applications and contamination-free production processes.

ABB says this opens up new opportunities for increased productivity, improved product quality and reduced cycle times in a variety of industries including electronics assembly, automotive and metals fabrication, amongst others.

Originally launched in 2020, the IRB 1300 is now available in IP67, Foundry Plus 2 and cleanroom ISO 4 versions. This will expand its use in tough environments, with high levels of liquids and dust. [Read more…] about ABB upgrades its IRB 1300 robot with new protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

ABB robot enhanced with protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

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ABB says its 6-axis IRB 1300 industrial robot now includes new protection elements that enable it to be used in tough industrial applications and contamination-free production processes.

The company says the enhancements open up new opportunities for increased productivity, improved product quality and reduced cycle times in a variety of industries including electronics assembly, automotive and metals fabrication, among others.

Originally launched in 2020, the IRB 1300 is now available in IP67, Foundry Plus 2 and cleanroom ISO 4 versions. This will expand its use in tough environments, with high levels of liquids and dust. [Read more…] about ABB robot enhanced with protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

Die Casting 101: Learn More About its Process and Advantages

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Have you ever wondered how intricate automobile parts like starter motor brackets, flywheel, solenoid valves, and the likes are produced?

Or, perhaps, the massive machine and equipment parts?

How about those Hot Wheels toy car collections that kids love? The answer: die casting.

Die casting is an industrial manufacturing process that uses tool dies, which produce metal parts that are too geometrically complex to be produced by any other means.

This process makes use of molten alloy or metal injected into a die at high pressure, which is exactly what Chicago White Metal Castings does. [Read more…] about Die Casting 101: Learn More About its Process and Advantages

US Steel to invest $1 billion in new facility

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United States Steel Corporation says it will make an additional investment of more than $1 billion into its Pennsylvania operations.

The investment will be used to construct a new sustainable endless casting and rolling facility at its Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and a cogeneration facility at its Clairton Plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, both part of the company’s Mon Valley Works.

The “cutting-edge” endless casting and rolling technology combines thin slab casting and hot rolled band production into one continuous process and will make Mon Valley Works “the first facility of this type” in the US and one of only a handful in the world, says the company.

[Read more…] about US Steel to invest $1 billion in new facility