Robotics & Automation News

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BHS Technologies unveils RoboticScope to assist surgeons

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A Swiss company called BHS Technologies has unveiled a specially designed robot to assist surgeons, claiming it to be a world first.

“A high-precision robot, a high-resolution 3D camera and an innovative head-mounted display – the world’s first RoboticScope has arrived on the market,” says the company, adding that it “sets new standards in microsurgery”. 

Essentially, the system uses a head-mounted display to translate small head movements of the surgeon directly into movements of the robotic arm, enabling the surgeon to view exactly what they want. [Read more…] about BHS Technologies unveils RoboticScope to assist surgeons

ASM Assembly Systems uses Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer robot for quality control checks

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Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer robot has been carrying out the automated quality control of components at ASM Assembly Solutions.

Rethink, now part of the Hahn Group, says the ASM setup was simple and the operation enabled Sawyer to “quickly achieve high levels of acceptance among employees”.

The task of the SMT Solutions business segment in the ASM Pacific Technology group is to support, implement and realize the SMT Smart Factory for electronics manufacturers worldwide. [Read more…] about ASM Assembly Systems uses Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer robot for quality control checks

Considerations in Designing an Effective Air Quality Control Strategy

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The industrial section plays a central role in air quality management following the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its amendments.

Therefore, a re-evaluation of the effectiveness of the strategies must be done before implementing air quality to meet federal, state, and local government agencies’ requirements.

Also, it is crucial to develop further techniques that will allow strengthening the company’s air quality management systems. [Read more…] about Considerations in Designing an Effective Air Quality Control Strategy

Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

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Mitsubishi Electric has launched what is believed to be its first series of collaborative robots, which the company has named “Melfa Assista” (main picture).

The “RV-5AS-D” model of the cobot has a 5 kg load capacity and 6-axis movement.

The company says the robots can work collaboratively with humans based on safety features such as collision detection and strict compliance with the international safety and robotic standards ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS15066.

The series also will introduce an intuitive engineering software, RT VisualBox, for “quick, easy system deployment”, says Mitsubishi. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

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Yamazaki Mazak has unveiled a new high-accuracy simultaneous 5-axis vertical machining centre, the Variaxis C-600, suitable for a wide range of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive markets.

Mazak says the C-600, which is the successor machine to the highly successful Variaxis j-600/5X, is being marketed at a “highly attractive price point” to provide a high performance and cost-effective 5-axis solution.

The Variaxis C-600 is characterised by its highly agile performance, with no compromise on rigidity. The compact machine, capable of machining workpieces up to Ø730 mm x H450 mm and 500 kg in weight, has been designed with a large machining envelope and a high-rigidity structure featuring a Ø600 mm fully supported trunnion table with roller gear cam on the B- and C-axes. [Read more…] about Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

UBTech robots being used to control coronavirus in Wuhan

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UBTech is supplying its robotics and artificial intelligence technologies in the ongoing effort to control coronavirus in China. 

The AI robots have been installed in healthcare settings as well as commercial environment as people get back to work.

As shown in the main picture above, people starting to return to work are being greeted by people alongside robots. [Read more…] about UBTech robots being used to control coronavirus in Wuhan

Laser interferometry: An enabling technology for optimized automated manufacturing

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By Tyler Steele, product manager – laser interferometers, Zygo

In this article, precision Beryllium mirror manufacturer Cambridge Technology explains how the use of interferometry hardware and software solutions has streamlined its manufacturing processes and added efficiencies as well as time and cost-savings across the company. 

Technological advances over recent years have elevated metrology from being a “necessary evil” in manufacturing scenarios to enabling technologies, allowing the measurement of previously impossible part characteristics and therefore driving innovation across numerous industry sectors.

It is arguable that best-in-class metrology solutions are the catalyst that drive the trend towards miniaturization, higher precision, faster throughput, and fewer rejects.

As the old adage goes, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t make it”, but if you can measure to the required accuracy repeatably, then the sky is the limit in terms of producing cutting-edge parts and components. [Read more…] about Laser interferometry: An enabling technology for optimized automated manufacturing

Alio says its Hybrid Hexapod addresses ‘critical weaknesses’ of traditional motion systems

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Alio Industries says its patented Hybrid Hexapod was developed by Alio to address the critical weaknesses of conventional legacy hexapod designs, as well as the weaknesses of stacked serial stages, and to achieve nanometer-level accuracy, repeatability, and high-integrity flatness and straightness during motion.

It utilizes a tripod parallel kinematics structure to deliver Z plane and tip/tilt motion, integrated with a monolithic serial kinematic structure for XY motion.

A rotary stage integrated into the top of the tripod (or underneath it, depending on application needs) provides 360-degree continuous Theta Z rotation. [Read more…] about Alio says its Hybrid Hexapod addresses ‘critical weaknesses’ of traditional motion systems

ABB expands RobotStudio with ability to control SCARA robots from PC

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ABB says it has “simplified” the use of its popular SCARA robots by giving users the ability to commission and control the robots from their PC through RobotStudio, ABB’s simulation and offline programming software.

Robot Control Mate is an add-on to RobotStudio, enabling users to jog, teach and calibrate robots from their computer, making it easier than ever to control a SCARA robot’s movements.

For the first time, ABB’s offline programming software can be used to control the physical movements of a robot in real-time. Robot Control Mate also makes robot programming possible when a FlexPendant is not in place. [Read more…] about ABB expands RobotStudio with ability to control SCARA robots from PC

How to simplify the control architecture of cartesian coordinate robots

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By Barry Weller, product manager at Mitsubishi Electric

In order to remain competitive, it is generally accepted that industries should adopt lean manufacturing strategies to improve process efficiency.

A key action can be to reduce part count, that is to say the number of components in an assembly or system. This is particularly challenging when it comes to highly accurate cartesian coordinate (linear) motion applications.

In these cases, machine builders would often need to use both PLCs and computer numerical controllers (CNCs) in order to fully manage movement within the machine – until now. [Read more…] about How to simplify the control architecture of cartesian coordinate robots