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Collaborative robots: A helping hand in healthcare

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By Darrell Adams, head of Southeast Asia and Oceania, Universal Robots

Covid-19, the global pandemic, took the world by surprise and suddenly the healthcare system has to confront one of the toughest challenges on a global scale.

Healthcare workers are working round the clock and the intense workload at the frontline led to exhaustion in many, virus infection in others, and some sadly passed away in their line of duty.

Millions of nurses needed

The global healthcare system is cracking under the strain of this global pandemic. Yet, a recent report shows that globally, we are in need of 6 million more nurses to achieve global health targets, even without a global pandemic. This is an alarming number, and it is unlikely that over a short period of time, the demand can be met. [Read more…] about Collaborative robots: A helping hand in healthcare

Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?

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By Darrell Adams, head of Southeast Asia and Oceania, Universal Robots

For many ASEAN nations, manufacturing takes up a sizable chunk of the national GDP. For example, manufacturing in Singapore contributed 20.9 percent of Singapore’s GDP in 2019, according to the department of statistics Singapore.

Successful companies readily acknowledge one key factor contributing to their achievements – hardworking, committed and skilled employees who are the foundation of the companies.

However, manufacturers today face the primary challenge of filling open positions with skilled workers, which in turn affects overall productivity and growth. [Read more…] about Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?

New Universal Robots interface enables ‘fast’ implementation of injection molding applications

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Universal Robots has launched a new interface which it says enables faster implementation of injection molding applications.

With the Injection Molding Machine Interface (IMMI), Universal Robots says it has launched a “user-friendly and quick solution” for plastics manufacturers to integrate Universal Robots with injection molding machines.

Plastics manufacturers are increasingly turning to collaborative robots to tend injection molding machines. [Read more…] about New Universal Robots interface enables ‘fast’ implementation of injection molding applications

4 key questions to ask before getting started with collaborative robots

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By Darrell Adams, head, Southeast Asia and Oceania, Universal Robots

Small and mid-sized manufacturers can be especially hard hit by sudden changes such as economic volatility, intense competitive pressure, seasonal demands or even an unexpected global crisis, like the current Covid-19 pandemic.

When labour requirements increase or decrease drastically, having the ability to ramp up production when demand is high and remain sustainable during downtime is crucial.

For these companies, having a workforce supported by collaborative robots or cobots, would be a dream come true. [Read more…] about 4 key questions to ask before getting started with collaborative robots

Universal Robots launches ‘world’s first’ autonomous bin picking kit for machine tending

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Universal Robots has launched what it says is “the world’s first” autonomous bin picking kit for machine tending applications.

“ActiNav” is a new UR+ application kit for companies of all sizes that, Universal says, simplifies the integration of autonomous bin picking of parts and accurate placement in machines using UR cobots.

ActiNav synchronously handles vision processing, collision-free motion planning and autonomous real-time robot control, eliminating the complexity and risk usually associated with bin picking applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches ‘world’s first’ autonomous bin picking kit for machine tending

Five robotic technology innovations move to final phase of Esmera competition

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Five robotic technology experiments have moved into the final phase of a competition run by Esmera, the European Union-funded project set up to develop innovative technologies.

The five entrants are:

  • Nix;
  • Minotaur-R (energy sector);
  • Reflect;
  • Wire Cobots (manufacturing); and
  • Cobolleague (construction).

They have all been selected to move into the second phase of Esmera, which is an abbreviation of European SMEs Robotic Applications. [Read more…] about Five robotic technology innovations move to final phase of Esmera competition

Universal Robots launches UR+ Application Kits to simplify cobot deployments

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The leader of collaborative robotics is expanding its UR+ platform of certified partner products with application kits that remove barriers to industrial automation for small, medium and large companies alike.

Twenty proven software and hardware kits for the most popular cobot applications are now available on the UR+ platform, the industry’s largest and most comprehensive ecosystem of products certified to integrate seamlessly with cobots from Universal Robots (UR).

By reducing recurring engineering decisions for common applications, the “Plug and Produce” kits decrease project risk and complexity and are ready for fast implementation for tasks such as finishing, inspection, assembly, machine tending, material removal, dispensing, and material handling.

Jim Lawton, VP of product and applications management at Universal Robots, says: “As the world’s leader in collaborative robots, Universal Robots is pleased to extend our award-winning UR+ ecosystem to include certified cobot applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches UR+ Application Kits to simplify cobot deployments

Kassow Robots begins production of two new 7-axis collaborative robots

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Danish startup Kassow Robots has started production of two new collaborative robots which the company recently added to its product portfolio.

The two new cobots are the KR 1410 and the KR 1805.

Kassow says the KR 1805 has an 1.80-metre robot arm, which gives it an “unrivalled reach in the cobot market”, and opens up completely new applications for customers in industry.   [Read more…] about Kassow Robots begins production of two new 7-axis collaborative robots

Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

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Universal Robots, the market leader in collaborative robotics, will show attendees at North America’s largest supply chain expo how cobots can automate hard-to-staff palletizing and piece-picking tasks with new applications from partners MDCI Automation, RightHand Robotics, and Cross Automation.

With e-commerce generating the greatest year-over-year growth of all US retail industries, there is now more warehousing space being built in the US than projected warehousing jobs required to fill that space.

When thousands of supply chain professionals were asked in a recent Materials Handling Institute survey what technologies would yield the greatest boost to productivity, “robotics and automation” was their answer. [Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

Teradyne to build ‘world’s largest’ collaborative robotics hub at a cost of $36 million

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Teradyne has embarked on a project to build what it says will be “the world’s largest collaborative robotics hub” when it is finished. 

The facility (main illustration) is located in Denmark and its eventual cost is estimated at approximately $36 million.

Denmark’s minister of industry, business and financial affairs, Simon Kollerup, unveiled what will become the new home of Teradyne’s robotics business units, Mobile Industrial Robots and Universal Robots, both of which it acquired in the past year or so. [Read more…] about Teradyne to build ‘world’s largest’ collaborative robotics hub at a cost of $36 million