Robotics & Automation News

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Fuzzy Logic Robotics unveils new robot simulation software

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Fuzzy Logic Robotics has launched its “no-code industrial robot programming and simulation software”, Fuzzy Studio, on its website.

Fuzzy Studio allows non-experts in robotics to create virtual cells and control industrial robots, enabling them to robotize their production at an affordable price and lower risk, even in situations that were once considered impossible, such as for small batches or complex parts.

Previously reserved for a select few, Fuzzy Studio is now available online to a wider audience and comes with informative documentation and tutorials. [Read more…] about Fuzzy Logic Robotics unveils new robot simulation software

Nidec Leroy-Somer selected by Airbus to develop electric motors for its future hydrogen powered zero-emission engine

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Nidec Leroy-Somer has signed an agreement with Airbus, the worlds largest airplane manufacturer, to develop an electric motor for its hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine prototype, as part of Airbus’ ambition to bring the first zero-emission commercial aircraft to market by 2035.

The long-standing expertise and extensive know-how of the French electric motor manufacturer, who already provides proven advanced technologies to many demanding industries, such as navy, nuclear, railway, automotive and robotics is now collaborating on aviation decarbonization.

Leroy-Somer, part of the Japanese Nidec Group since 2017, is entrusted to design and develop a series of electric motor prototypes which meet very high requirements in terms of safety, reliability, energy-efficiency and lowest weight for the targeted power. [Read more…] about Nidec Leroy-Somer selected by Airbus to develop electric motors for its future hydrogen powered zero-emission engine

BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

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BMW Group Plant Leipzig’s first cell coating line has gone into series operation as e-component production at the site continues to gain momentum.

By 2024 the two existing module assembly lines will be complemented by a third, as well as four more cell coating lines and two more high-voltage battery assembly lines. The four coating lines will enter series operation during the course of this year at roughly two-month intervals.

Markus Fallböhmer, head of battery production at the BMW Group, says: “From 2024 our plant here in Leipzig will be able to run the entire process chain for high-voltage battery production. [Read more…] about BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

Thermo Fisher Scientific partners with Celltrio to build fully automated cell culture system

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Thermo Fisher Scientific, one of the world’s leading science companies, and Celltrio, a manufacturer of robotics-based solutions for the life sciences industry, have collaborated to bring a fully automated cell culture system to biotherapeutics customers.

The collaboration will integrate the Thermo Scientific Momentum workflow scheduling software with the Celltrio RoboCell cell line automation platform to address the critical unmet market need for high-throughput automated cell line culturing and maintenance.

Celltrio’s RoboCell systems distributed in Europe will now use Momentum software for work scheduling and data management. [Read more…] about Thermo Fisher Scientific partners with Celltrio to build fully automated cell culture system

FRAI Robotic Technologies demonstrates mobile robotic work cell

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Automation tasks are becoming ever more challenging. Using intelligent software in combination with the relevant automation solutions not only enables workpieces to be loaded and unloaded but also means that machine tools can be set up fully automatically through automatic replacement of tools and clamping devices.

FRAI Robotic Technologies, an Austrian company which specializes in building tailor-made automation solutions, is developing “highly flexible” robot systems to respond to this trend. Concepts such as the mobileCELL are a complete first and enable a wide range of expansion stages, making them as future-proof and competitive as possible.

Different industries, series production, small batch sizes, a wide variety of machine tools and the uncertainty of many manufacturers as to whether the current product will still be in vogue next year or become a slow seller – all this calls for flexibility in production. [Read more…] about FRAI Robotic Technologies demonstrates mobile robotic work cell

Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines

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Comau has been selected by Automotive Cells Company – or ACC, a joint venture between Stellantis, TotalEnergies/Saft and Mercedes-Benz – to design and develop a “highly integrated” battery module production line for its future Gigafactory in Billy-Bercalu Douvrain, in the north of France.

With the projected capacity to ultimately ramp up to 40 GWh, ACC is set to become a European leader in enabling cleaner, efficient mobility for all. Under the terms of the agreement, Comau will supply ACC with the expertise and equipment needed to automate manufacturing of the next-generation EV batteries.

Featuring the inherent flexibility to handle both 8- and 16-cell modules, the Comau-designed lines will allow ACC to produce up to 8 Gigawatt hours (GWh) annually by the end of 2024. [Read more…] about Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines

Edson to debut new robotic cell at Pack Expo

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Edson, a ProMach brand, is debuting its new KDF Stack Prep System, a robotic cell that automates the infeed area of a case packer, in booth N-5348 at Pack Expo 2022, October 23-26, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Edson is a manufacturer of case and tray packing solutions for the converted paper, diaper, and nonwoven markets.

After stacks are loaded onto the case packer’s infeed conveyors, the KDF (knocked down flat) Stack Prep System prepares the cases by cutting bands and removing dunnage and other cardboard or paper materials used during transportation. The stacks are then straightened, squared, and presented to the case packer. [Read more…] about Edson to debut new robotic cell at Pack Expo

Liminal launches automated system for battery inspection in manufacturing

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Liminal, a specialist in electric vehicle battery manufacturing intelligence, has launched its EchoStat platform, a fully-automated commercial-ready manufacturing inspection solution based on ultrasound and machine learning.

Scheduled to be fully operational in 2023, this in-process inspection innovation is a groundbreaking, critical advancement toward helping EV battery manufacturers achieve the accelerated production ramp rates and cost reduction required to catalyze EV adoption at scale.

EchoStat’s core technology has been validated across 50 different cell types by six EV OEMs and seven cell manufacturers.

Anders Thor, director of communications at Northvolt, says: “We see potential in the automated EchoStat platform, enabling in-process control of saturation quality and prediction of cell performance and cycle life. The in-line inspection solution provides opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, saving resource, cost and time.” [Read more…] about Liminal launches automated system for battery inspection in manufacturing

Hyundai partners with Rolls-Royce to develop electric and hydrogen engine for new types of aircraft

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Rolls-Royce and Hyundai Motor Group are to collaborate on bringing all-electric propulsion and hydrogen fuel cell technology to the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market, which includes electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The partnership will leverage Rolls-Royce’s aviation and certification capabilities and Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen fuel cell technologies and industrialisation capability.

Both companies share a vision of “leading the way” in the AAM market delivering battery-electric and fuel cell electric solutions to the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Regional Air Mobility (RAM) markets and advancing sustainable aviation. [Read more…] about Hyundai partners with Rolls-Royce to develop electric and hydrogen engine for new types of aircraft

From battery cell production to the installation of electric motors

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Reliable processes for electromobility with automation solutions from Festo

The number of vehicles with electric powertrains is growing globally by more than 40 percent each year. At the same time, the manufacturing processes for the electrified powertrain are changing.

While the classic manufacturing process for cars with internal combustion engines was predominantly based on semi-automatic production methods, both battery cells and electric motors are increasingly produced fully automatically.

As a leading manufacturer of automation technology, Festo has the right solutions for this process along the entire value chain, from battery cell production to the assembly of electric motors. [Read more…] about From battery cell production to the installation of electric motors