Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

collaborative

Stäubli launches new range of collaborative robots

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Stäubli has released a line of five new collaborative robots based on the TX2 industrial robots, claiming they are the “world’s safest, most collaborative cobots”.

The company says the new cobots “offer exceptional productivity and the safest man–machine collaboration on the market”.

The TX2touch is the only cobot with the SIL3/PLe safety level. It can handle loads of up to 20 kg and is equipped with a highly responsive skin system. [Read more…] about Stäubli launches new range of collaborative robots

Rethink Robotics launches Sawyer Black Edition

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Rethink Robotics, which is now part of the Hahn Group, has launched a new version of its collaborative robot, Sawyer.

The Sawyer Black Edition is now available for pre-order and will be presented for the first time at K 2019 in Düsseldorf.

The new hardware update comes one year after the takeover of Rethink Robotics’ assets by Hahn Group. [Read more…] about Rethink Robotics launches Sawyer Black Edition

Opinion: Robots are the solution, not the problem, to the workplace safety challenge

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By Richard Mawson, sales manager UK and Ireland at OnRobot

Since the mid-twentieth century, robots have been implemented by businesses worldwide to enhance efficiency and multiply productivity levels.

However, while the introduction of robotic equipment in industrial contexts undoubtedly helped organisations increase their profits and revenues, it also transformed the working environments.

Safety concerns inevitably arose. [Read more…] about Opinion: Robots are the solution, not the problem, to the workplace safety challenge

BWIndustrie installs world’s first UR16e collaborative robot to optimise throughput

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Universal Robots says that BWIndustrie, a French specialist in machining, assembly and robotics, has installed the world’s first UR16e heavy-duty payload collaborative robot.

It becomes the company’s sixth cobot from UR, where it is streamlining the time-consuming and labour-intensive process of deburring metal parts.

Launched at China International Industy Fair to wide acclaim, the UR16e enables BWIndustrie to overcome the barriers of traditional manufacturing by automating the deburring processes in a matter of seconds compared to the several minutes incurred by manual labour. [Read more…] about BWIndustrie installs world’s first UR16e collaborative robot to optimise throughput

Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

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Automaker Ford has for the first time introduced a team of collaborative robots that works alongside engineers in Cologne, Germany, to ensure every Ford Fiesta has a perfect finish.

The six cobots complete a choreographed sequence to sand the entire body surface in just 35 seconds. The initiative does not replace employees but allows operators to use their time on more complex tasks and avoid suffering the strains associated with performing repetitive tasks.

Dennis Kuhn, senior manufacturing engineer, paint shop, Ford of Europe, says: “The cobots can feel when more force needs to be applied, just like we can, and they can more easily get to hard-to-reach places, like the centre of the roof.” [Read more…] about Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

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With a growth of 23 percent in annual installations of collaborative robots from 2017 to 2018, the new World Robotics Report, published by International Federation of Robotics, shows a huge demand for end-of-arm-tooling, (EoAT).

In 2018 almost 14,000 new cobot arms were installed, and if this trend continues, that number will double in approximately three years, prompting an unprecedented EoAT market opportunity that OnRobot is ready to address.

For the first time ever, the annual World Robotics Report includes a specific analysis on the market for cobots, documenting a robust 23 percent growth worldwide. [Read more…] about Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

OnRobot launches ‘one-system’ solution to make industrial robotic arms more compatible

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OnRobot has launched a “one-system” solution which it says makes robots more compatible by enabling their end-effectors to be quickly attached to a variety of brands of robotic arms.

The company says the new unified mechanical and electrical interface for any OnRobot end-of-arm tooling (EoAT) “dramatically simplifies” automation with a single platform for a full range of collaborative and light industrial robotic systems.

OnRobot says the launch is part of its mission of making robotic applications faster and easier to implement with a unified mechanical and electrical interface for any OnRobot EoAT. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘one-system’ solution to make industrial robotic arms more compatible

OnRobot launches new tooling system for ‘full range’ of collaborative robots

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OnRobot says it has launched a new tooling system for “full range” of smaller robots.

The company says its new Digital I/O Converter Kit and Quick Changer for OnRobot end-of-arm tooling (EoAT) “dramatically simplifies” automation because it provides a single platform for a full range of collaborative and light industrial robotic systems

Denmark-based OnRobot, a specialist EoAT provider for collaborative robot applications, has introduced two new products – the Digital I/O Converter Kit and Quick Changer – which together with other OnRobot EoATs, creates a “unique One-System Solution that dramatically simplifies automation”, says the company. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new tooling system for ‘full range’ of collaborative robots

Universal Robots ‘maintains top spot’ in collaborative robot market

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Universal Robots is maintaining its top spot in the collaborative robot market, according to a report by ABI Research.

However, competitors including Doosan, Techman Robot and Precise Automation are “closing in“, says the study, Industrial Collaborative Robots Competitive Assessment.

There are well over 50 manufacturers of collaborative robots, or cobots, worldwide, but only a handful of these companies have so far deployed cobots on any meaningful level of scale. [Read more…] about Universal Robots ‘maintains top spot’ in collaborative robot market

Omron to debut new autonomous mobile manipulator and Robotiq vacuum grippers at Pack Expo

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Omron is planning to debut a new autonomous mobile manipulator and Robotiq vacuum grippers at Pack Expo in Las Vegas. 

Omron says its booth at the event will be “a unique opportunity to explore near-future manufacturing equipment as part of a wide-ranging, interactive demo”.

In particular, Omron’s new autonomous mobile manipulator and the integration between Omron’s TM Series collaborative robot and Robotiq’s vacuum grippers (main picture) are innovations to see. [Read more…] about Omron to debut new autonomous mobile manipulator and Robotiq vacuum grippers at Pack Expo