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RoboMotion and SoTec demonstrate cloud robotics solution using Kuka Agilus

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Industrial automation integrator RoboMotion and software company SoTec have demonstrated a robotics solution which enables users to control an industrial robot through their smartphones.

The two companies say they have developed an integrated solution which enables “robot control from the cloud”, and used the system to control an industrial robot made by Kuka.

The solution essentially eliminates the need to use a programmable logic controller, or PLC, which is basically a computer attached to robotics and automation hardware systems to program and control their movements.  [Read more…] about RoboMotion and SoTec demonstrate cloud robotics solution using Kuka Agilus

Delta presents its latest innovations in industrial automation at SPS IPC Drives Italia

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Delta, a provider of power and thermal management solutions and industrial automation solutions, is showcasing its complete portfolio of next-generation industrial automation products and solutions at SPS IPC Drives Italia 2017.

The company says its solutions are designed to augment the productivity of manufacturing and industrial processes in a broad spectrum of applications.

These include the new compact modular mid-range PLC AS series, featuring slim and modular design with max. 1,024 I/O and remarkable program capacity of 128K steps for multi-axis control to support advance automation machinery, as well as the new ASDA-A3 servo system, boasting a high performance motor with 6,000rpm and a vibration suppression function to enhance the operation integrity of advanced machines.  [Read more…] about Delta presents its latest innovations in industrial automation at SPS IPC Drives Italia

Miniature 700-watt servo motor drive with integrated motion controller

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Granite Devices, a Finnish servo drive manufacturer, has released a new industrial servo motor drive contributing high degree of time and cost saving features to the machine automation market.

A “Swiss-army knife of motion control”, Ioni starts a new era of servo drives by bringing snap-on installation, built-in SIL2 safety functions and unforeseen compactness in 700 W class in just 70 x 37 x 7 mm form factor.

Ioni implements industry standard, torque, velocity and position controls for AC, brushless DC, brushed DC, linear servo motors and stepping motors between 2 W and 700 W power.  [Read more…] about Miniature 700-watt servo motor drive with integrated motion controller

Aerotech demonstrates patent-pending motion control sensor

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Aerotech has launched a motion control sensor with a parallel-kinematic design which provides unmatched geometric performance, says company, adding that it also offers superior positioning resolution and linearity with the direct-metrology capacitive sensor.

Aerotech’s QNP3 series XYZ piezo positioning stages combine sub-nanometer resolution, high dynamics, and excellent geometric performance in a compact three-degree-of-freedom (DoF) package.

They come with a 40 mm x 40 mm clear aperture with closed-loop travels up to 100 µm x 100 µm x 10 µm (open-loop travels to 120 µm x 120 µm x 12 µm).

The design is ideal for optical and scanning probe microscopy or other inspection or manufacturing applications where two-sided part access is required with three-DoF manipulation.  [Read more…] about Aerotech demonstrates patent-pending motion control sensor

Tend claims launch of first ‘smart cloud’ to enable remote control of robots

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Tend says its new in.control platform is the first smart cloud robotics platform for remote control, monitoring and analysis of production lines. 

Tend announced it has introduced the first hardware-agnostic, smart cloud robotics software platform that allows manufacturers to remotely control, monitor and analyze the performance of their robots and production equipment from their mobile devices.

Tend’s in.control – short for “intelligent control” – software has made smart manufacturing simple and accessible for companies of all sizes, allowing them to monitor and control any robot, tending any machine, from any location.  [Read more…] about Tend claims launch of first ‘smart cloud’ to enable remote control of robots

Emerson launches new control module for industrial machines

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emerson IO-Link valve

Company says new component provides Industry 4.0 diagnostics for pneumatics through direct digital control 

Emerson have expanded the ASCO Numatics 580 Series fieldbus electronics platform with the introduction of an IO-Link communication option.

The company says the new IO-Link module is for use with the ASCO Numatics 500 Series valve islands, and will allow machine automation designers a convenient, cost effective and reliable solution for solenoid valve control through direct digital data communication with the machine controller plus the ability for event-based and I/O mapped diagnostics – both important predictive maintenance requirements for Industry 4.0.

The 580 Series IO-Link is compatible with the full range of 501, 502 and 503 Series valve islands which offer from 400 to 1400 l/min flow rates in valve sizes of 11, 18 and 26 mm.  [Read more…] about Emerson launches new control module for industrial machines

Cone Drive launches Harmonic Solutions in Asia

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Cone Drive, a precision motion control technology provider, is expanding the reach of its new Harmonic Solutions product range into the Asia market at the Shanghai International Modern Industrial Intelligent Equipment Exhibition (SIA) in May 2017.

The Asia launch follows commercial launches in the US at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in September 2016 and Europe at Motek in October 2016.

Having launched its product range in the US and Europe, Cone Drive is to enter the market in Asia which represents 85 per cent of the global harmonic market.

Cone Drive says the high quality engineering and manufacturing standards of its Harmonic Solutions are ready to meet the Asian market’s demands by providing engineered solutions for applications in robotics, aerospace, metrology, defense, medical, machine tooling industries, and more.  [Read more…] about Cone Drive launches Harmonic Solutions in Asia

ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

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ABB IRB 1200 Robot

Monitoring and control software now comes with company’s smallest material and machine tool handling robot 

ABB Robotics says SafeMove2 is now also available for IRB 1200, the smallest ABB robot to feature its advanced safety-certified monitoring and control software.

SafeMove2 enables people to work safely alongside ABB robots with payloads ranging from 6kg to 800kg without compromising productivity.

It also provides an optimum level of collaboration and flexibility to higher speed and throughput applications which typically require more insular, intrusive levels of safety.  [Read more…] about ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

Automate 2017 show prepares to open to record crowds and highest exhibitor numbers

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The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has been offering previews of Automate 2017, North America’s premier biennial event devoted to leading-edge technology and business innovation to be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place April 3-6.

This year’s show is over 40 percent larger than the last show in 2015 and features more than 400 exhibitors showing their latest technologies for the entire spectrum of the automation industry.

More than 20,000 attendees are expected to attend Automate 2017 from across the United States and more than 70 countries. Registration is free for attendees walking the show floor.

The Automate 2017 show and conference centers on the technology, innovation and automation solutions that are transforming manufacturing and service businesses globally.  [Read more…] about Automate 2017 show prepares to open to record crowds and highest exhibitor numbers

Milacron launches new RoboShot SI-20A injection molding unit

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Milacron, an industrial technology company serving the plastics processing industry, has launched the Milacron-Fanuc RoboShot SI-20A, a vertically mounted secondary injection unit for RoboShot machines.

The new Fanuc RoboShot SI-20A secondary injection unit was designed and developed by Fanuc in Japan. The SI-20A continues to offer the same high quality, high technology and precision synonymous with the RoboShot name.

The RoboShot SI-20A is a high precision, compact, all electric vertically mounted secondary injection unit equipped with Fanuc’s latest HMI Control and provides high molding performance, high sustainability, and ease of use. [Read more…] about Milacron launches new RoboShot SI-20A injection molding unit