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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

ESA marks first steps of new robot in space

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While the world eagerly awaits the launch of a spacecraft to the Moon, a robot quietly reaches yet another milestone in space. The newest robotic arm outside the International Space Station woke up, stretched and moved a payload effortlessly from one side to the other of the Nauka science module.

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) successfully completed the first transfer following commands from cosmonauts inside the Space Station last week. Teams in Moscow, Russia and at ESA’s control room in the Netherlands monitored the moves, where the image above was taken by the European team on console on 24 August.

This first motion involved unleashing the payload – a single pin latch and its adapter for the cosmonaut support tool – from Nauka, moving it to the other side of the module and then installing it back to the original position. [Read more…] about ESA marks first steps of new robot in space

ZF to showcase autonomous commercial transportation system solutions

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ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division will present its latest range of future-ready automation technologies and expertise at IAA Transportation 2022.

This includes ZF’s innovative next generation Autonomous Driving Open Platform Technology (ADOPT) automated chassis control solution.

The advanced platform bridges autonomous vehicles’ virtual driver software with its actuation systems using standardized interfaces developed to automotive standards. [Read more…] about ZF to showcase autonomous commercial transportation system solutions

ABB appoints ATS Global to advance data center automation business

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ABB has signed an agreement with ATS Global to extend the reach of the ABB Ability Data Center Automation business.

The Netherlands-headquartered company has become a Global System Integrator (GIS) and will work with ABB to combine expertise and resources, testing the advantages and effectiveness of potential collaborations for data center customers and growing their respective businesses.

DCA is ABB’s industrial solution for on-premise and hybrid cloud environments. It is a controls, hardware and software solution for control, monitoring and optimization of data center infrastructure, with mechanical control in building management system, electrical power management system, supervisory control and data acquisition, and data center infrastructure management capabilities in a single, ruggedized industrial solution. [Read more…] about ABB appoints ATS Global to advance data center automation business

634AI to install 200 autonomous mobile robots in Musashi manufacturing facilities worldwide

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634AI, the developers of Maestro, an artificial intelligence-enabled control tower for indoor mobility management, and Musashi Seimitsu, a global tier-1 auto part manufacturer, have signed an agreement to install 200 autonomous mobile robots, powered by Maestro, across Musashi Seimitsu’s 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

634AI’s Maestro powered AMRs will be used to automate Musashi Seimitsu’s intra logistics operation and increase the safety and efficiency of activity on its manufacturing floors.

Musashi Seimitsu, a global transmission gear manufacturer, is a major shareholder in 634AI. After two years of testing 634AI’s Maestro in live manufacturing facilities in Japan, Musashi Seimitsu will be rolling out 634AI’s AMRs under the management of Maestro over the next four years. [Read more…] about 634AI to install 200 autonomous mobile robots in Musashi manufacturing facilities worldwide

Mitsubishi Electric to build new factory in India

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Mitsubishi Electric says it will invest approximately 3.1 billion yen ($22.3 million) in its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric India to establish a new factory in India.

Expected to start operations in December 2023, the new factory will manufacture inverters and other factory automation control system products, expanding the company’s capabilities to meet the growing demand in India.

The rapidly growing Indian market is expanding at an annual rate of about 8% mainly in industries such as automobiles, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, data centers, and textiles, with further market expansion expected in the future. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to build new factory in India

University Hospital Tübingen carries out first Dexter robotic surgeries in Germany

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University Hospital Tübingen has successfully completed gynecological operations using the Distalmotion Dexter on-demand robotic surgery system.

This marks the Swiss robot’s first clinical use in Germany.

Professor Dr Diethelm Wallwiener, Prof Dr Sara Brucker, Prof Dr Bernhard Krämer and their teams used the Dexter robot in several surgical procedures. [Read more…] about University Hospital Tübingen carries out first Dexter robotic surgeries in Germany

Mitsubishi and Realtime Robotics speed up implementation time for industrial robots

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Realtime Robotics, a developer of autonomous motion planning for industrial robots, is collaborating with Mitsubishi Electric Automation, to speed up the programming and control of industrial robots with innovative motion control and collision avoidance software.

The two companies demonstrated the combination of Realtime Robotics RapidPlan robot programming and motion control software with Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial robots in a demo cell in Mitsubishi Electric Automation’s booth at the recent Automate Show 2022.

In the demo, two robots (RV-7FRL and RV-8CRL) simulated moving to various points of interest on the workpiece, while the ASSISTA collaborative robot moved to inspect various points of interest. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi and Realtime Robotics speed up implementation time for industrial robots

Transelec strengthens its electrical system with PcVue SCADA

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Transelec, one of Chile’s leading suppliers of high-voltage systems, says it has strengthened its electrical system and improved the robustness of its operations.

PcVue SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) platform has been selected to control Alto Jahuel substation, the largest one of Chile National Electric System.

With almost 10,000 kilometers of lines and more than 60 substations, from the Arica y Parinacota Region to the Los Lagos Region, Transelec is the main supplier of high voltage systems in Chile. [Read more…] about Transelec strengthens its electrical system with PcVue SCADA

New Scale Robotics releases Q-Span to automate measurement inspection

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New Scale Robotics’ new Q-Span Gauging System enables do-it-yourself automation using existing gauges and workflows.

Quality teams in high-mix, small-batch manufacturing operations can improve throughput and process control by eliminating the bottlenecks and variability inherent in manual gauging.

The mobile workstation combines robotic part handling, automated gauging using a variety of standard gauges, real-time reporting for in-process gauging, and automated data collection. Input from multiple gauges is combined into one convenient output for statistical process control. [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics releases Q-Span to automate measurement inspection