Robotics & Automation News

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cobot

Universal Robots debuts ‘world’s first’ cobot spot welder

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Universal Robots says it is “not only the most widely used collaborative robot arm in the manufacturing industry, the UR cobots have also become the platform of choice for a fast-growing ecosystem of innovative OEM solutions”.

Nowhere is that more apparent, continues UR, than this year’s Automate Show, where 60+ UR cobots will be exhibited in more than 30 booths at the show, taking place in Detroit, Michigan, May 22-25, 2023.

UR’s Automate booth #3623 showcases the latest innovation in a rapidly expanding application field, including the “world’s first cobot spot welder”, designed and manufactured by Pro Spot International. [Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts ‘world’s first’ cobot spot welder

Doosan Robotics partners with Finch Automation to expand distribution in Midwestern US

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Doosan Robotics Americas, a maker of industrial and collaborative robotics, has agreed a strategic partnership with Indiana-based Finch Automation.

The new relationship expands the reach of Doosan service robots and cobots to OEM machine builders and end users in the Midwest region of the US.

Alex Lee, general manager, Doosan Robotics Americas, says: “Finch Automation is the ideal partner to introduce our products to a new market. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics partners with Finch Automation to expand distribution in Midwestern US

igus unveils ‘first’ industrial robot made of plastic

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igus has unveiled what it says is “the first robot made of high-performance plastic”. At just 8 kg, ReBeL is the lightest in its class: a real lightweight robot.

The compact, space-saving design with an integrated control system in the base opens up completely new fields of application for service robotics.

In collaboration with people, the ReBeL takes on tasks in the event and gastronomy sector, for example as a reliable coffee enricher or as a machine loader in production.

The robot is available as a plug-and-play version with integrated control system and robot software or as an open source version. In addition, users can choose between four or six degrees of freedom and thus adapt the ReBeL to their individual application scenario. [Read more…] about igus unveils ‘first’ industrial robot made of plastic

Doosan Robotics partners with iAutomation to expand distribution in eastern USA

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Doosan Robotics, a maker of industrial and collaborative robotics, has agreed a partnership with iAutomation, a distributor of automation and robotics solutions.

The new partnership expands the reach of Doosan service robots and cobots to OEM machine builders and end users along the east coast of the US.

Alex Lee, General Manager, Doosan Robotics Americas, says: “Partnering with iAutomation was an easy decision. Their knowledge of Doosan products, combined with strong engineering and integration capabilities, help maximize the value of Doosan’s technology to customers.” [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics partners with iAutomation to expand distribution in eastern USA

Tackling the lack of specialists with innovative robotics solutions

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Boring, strenuous, and exhausting are things of the past. The work environment of tomorrow looks different: exciting, simple, and easy. Cobots, AGVs (Autonomous Guided Vehicles), and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) put variety into daily work routines.

Cooperation with the robot transforms previously tedious, strenuous tasks into popular activities that are easy to perform. Numerous exhibitors at automatica, held in Munich from June 27 to 30, 2023, will present examples of such transformations.

While such work facilitation is great, the pivotal question is: To what extent can automation and robotics compensate the lack of specialists? An ever-increasing gap emerges as the baby boomers retire from the workforce. [Read more…] about Tackling the lack of specialists with innovative robotics solutions

Factory Visit: Investment bankers tour client’s robot-filled machine shop

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Investment and automation specialists John Slater and Jorge Maceyras, of Focus Investment Banking, make a factory visit to a client of theirs, and find that robotics is integral to the operation.

Do you have any robots?

When we posed that somewhat naïve question to the CEO of an extreme high precision machine shop in 2014, we got the response we deserved.

“Look up on the landing.”

There, we saw a hulking industrial robot our client had acquired years before to satisfy his auto industry customer that had a factory full of such behemoths. The unwieldy, difficult to program, creature had no role in the high mix low volume shop and had long been consigned to serve as the firm’s robot museum. [Read more…] about Factory Visit: Investment bankers tour client’s robot-filled machine shop

Techman unveils ‘industry’s lightest high-payload AI collaborative robot’

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Techman Robot has released its TM20 robotic arm, which it describes as “the industry’s lightest high-payload AI collaborative robot”, adding that the machine “redefines collaborative robotics with next generation AI”.

Despite being very light, the TM20’s high payload capacity makes it the “ideal solution” for heavy-duty AMR (autonomous mobile robot) applications.

Extending Techman’s cobot product range to even higher payloads, TM20 only weighs 32.8 kg, but carries up to 20 kg and has a reach of 1,300 mm with six rotation joints. [Read more…] about Techman unveils ‘industry’s lightest high-payload AI collaborative robot’

ABB launches new version of its Swifti collaborative cobot

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ABB has launched the Swifti CRB 1300 industrial collaborative robot, which the company says “bridges the gap between industrial and collaborative robots”.

Combining class-leading speed and accuracy with expanded load handling capability of up to 11kg, the Swifti CRB 1300 can be used in a wide variety of production and product handling applications – from machine tending and pelletizing to pick-and-place and screwdriving.

Andrea Cassoni, managing director for global general industry robotics at ABB, says: “Our customers are looking to robotic automation to make their processes more flexible, efficient and resilient, helping to counter labor shortages by enabling their employees to perform more value-added work. [Read more…] about ABB launches new version of its Swifti collaborative cobot

Omron launches new ‘high-performance’ collaborative robot for heavy payloads

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Omron, a provider of industrial automation solutions, has launched its new Omron TM20 collaborative robot with a payload of 20 kg.

The new cobot is ideal for tasks such as palletizing, machine tending and material handling. Whilst managing heavy payloads, the Omron TM20 has a small footprint and a reach of 1,3 meters.

The Omron TM20 is the latest addition to the Omron family of TM cobots, which are known for their ease of use, reliability, and safety. [Read more…] about Omron launches new ‘high-performance’ collaborative robot for heavy payloads

2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Universal Robots outlines automation trends for the year ahead

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The collaborative robot pioneer and market front runner Universal Robots has announced January as ‘National Cobot Awareness Month’, spearheading new products and initiatives prompting manufacturers to address hiring woes and production challenges

Gone are the days of manufacturers buying a robot arm only to struggle figuring out how to integrate it in an application cell, according to Universal Robots, which adds that turnkey robotic solutions, complete with all hardware, software, sensors and interfaces, will be powerful automation drivers in 2023.

Joe Campbell, senior manager of applications development and strategic marketing at Universal Robots (UR), says: “In 2023, cobot automation will become more sophisticated yet more straightforward to use.

“We are going to continue seeing phenomenal growth within complete robotic systems for applications such as welding, palletizing and machine tending, propelled by UR partners creating full solutions powered by our collaborative robot arms.” [Read more…] about 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Universal Robots outlines automation trends for the year ahead