components

How is Robotics Shaking Up the Tire Industry?

July 7, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Robots will be playing a key role in kickstarting the economy in the post-Covid-19 world, as stated in a survey by Automatica.

This will be the case in a plethora of industries, including warehouse operations, plastic injection molding, and tire manufacturing and design. Take the example of tire giant Goodyear.

The company is currently using data, AI and “digital twins” to create more reliable, sophisticated tires that will usher tires into the future. [Read more…] about How is Robotics Shaking Up the Tire Industry?

BMW opens new $17 million additive manufacturing facility

June 30, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

BMW has officially opened its new “Additive Manufacturing Campus”.

The new centre brings together production of prototype and series parts under one roof, along with research into new 3D printing technologies, and associate training for the global rollout of toolless production.

The facility will likely 3D print parts for the Rolls-Royce Phantom, BMW i8 Roadster and MINI John Cooper Works GP, which contains no less than four 3D-printed components as standard. [Read more…] about BMW opens new $17 million additive manufacturing facility

Kuka supplies Webasto with production equipment for assembly of battery systems

June 10, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Kuka is supplying a robotic system for the assembly of battery systems for a company called Webasto.

Kuka says the automotive industry is resolutely driving forward in the development of electromobility.

Webasto, a supplier of systems to the automotive industry, is also entering the field of battery systems production. [Read more…] about Kuka supplies Webasto with production equipment for assembly of battery systems

Heraeus and Aachen University develop ‘fastest-ever’ artificial synapses

June 4, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

The boffins say that the secret is ‘foreign atoms in the oxide layer’ which have so far gone unnoticed by experts

Scientists and researchers from the materials science-oriented technology group Heraeus and the Jülich Aachen Research Alliance have developed what they describe as “artificial synapses” similar to the ones found in the human brain.

The collective of brainboxes say that their discovery could be useful in the development of branches of artificial intelligence, such as machine learning and deep learning.

The boffins discovered how the switching properties of artificial synapses can be specifically influenced. [Read more…] about Heraeus and Aachen University develop ‘fastest-ever’ artificial synapses

Engineering procurement platform Kreatize enters new market with Austrian investors

May 18, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Kreatize, which claims to be Germany’s largest procurement platform for mechanical engineering, has received a joint investment from Austrian company B&C Innovation Investments (BCII) and the industrialist Martin Ohneberg.

Kreatize says the new investment – which is described as being in the “mid single-digit million” euro range – will enable it to expand its business in Austria.

The procurement of industrial components is often a costly, lengthy and non-transparent process. [Read more…] about Engineering procurement platform Kreatize enters new market with Austrian investors

Reinventing the Wheel: ThyssenKrupp intensifies sales and marketing activities for carbon wheels

May 6, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Giant industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp is putting its not inconsiderable weight behind a new type of wheel, or rather, a new material being used for motorcycle wheels – carbon.

The lightweight expert ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components and the chassis specialist ThyssenKrupp Bilstein say they have intensified their joint promotion and sales of premium tuning components for motorcycles made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

As a first step, the target of the cooperation between the ThyssenKrupp business units is the North American Free Trade Area countries – USA, Canada and Mexico. [Read more…] about Reinventing the Wheel: ThyssenKrupp intensifies sales and marketing activities for carbon wheels

WellPCB Offers One-Stop PCB Assembly Service

April 15, 2020 by Polly Leave a Comment

There are several reasons for the popularity of the China PCB Assembly service. One of the most worthy of mentioning is its low cost with super quality.

WellPCB is providing One-Stop PCB Assembly Turnkey Services to meet almost any needs you may require. This page will help you to know more about our PCBA services and capabilities. [Read more…] about WellPCB Offers One-Stop PCB Assembly Service

RapidFit uses new horizontal arm device to measure components for automotive sector

April 13, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Materialise Group spin-off RapidFit has implemented a horizontal-arm co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufactured by LK Metrology in Derbyshire, UK to check the accuracy of bespoke gaging and holding fixtures produced for the automotive industry.

Based in Leuven, Belgium, RapidFit has reduced costs and lead-times by making use of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to produce workpiece locators that are added to standard fixture components.

The technology enables vehicle production to be streamlined, as innovative fixtures can be constructed with enhanced functionality and better repeatability. [Read more…] about RapidFit uses new horizontal arm device to measure components for automotive sector

Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

April 10, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new method that doesn’t require any special equipment and works in just minutes to create soft, flexible, 3D-printed robots. (See video below.)

The innovation comes from rethinking the way soft robots are built: instead of figuring out how to add soft materials to a rigid robot body, the UC San Diego researchers started with a soft body and added rigid features to key components.

The structures were inspired by insect exoskeletons, which have both soft and rigid parts – the researchers called their creations “flexoskeletons”. [Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

Universal Robots launches UR+ Application Kits to simplify cobot deployments

March 10, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

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