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Genuine Parts buys Braas

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Genuine Parts says its subsidiary, Motion Industries, has acquired Braas.

Braas is a multi-regional distributor of products and services for industrial automation and control, specializing in pneumatics, motion control, industrial networking, machine safety, robotics and related industrial parts.

Founded in 1961, Braas is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and serves thousands of customers throughout the Midwest and Southeastern United States from a network of five sales offices and three warehouses.  [Read more…] about Genuine Parts buys Braas

A different way to think about autonomous technology

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By Megan Nichols, editor of SchooledByScience.com

Autonomous cars are the wave of the future, with more models released every year. These cars typically feature either a full auto pilot or driver assistance systems designed to make the ride safer and smoother.

Most of the technology we think of as autonomous or self-driving is already implemented in new cars as advanced driver assistance systems. These systems, like cruise control, lane sensing, blind spot alerts and more are all pieces of the self-driving car puzzle, found in most new car models.

For example, the basic concept of cruise control is not a new one. Ralph Teetor filed the first patent for a cruise control device in 1948, and it was installed on its first model just 10 years later. Today, adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems installed in newer cars take the basic idea introduced more than half a century ago and add features like automatic speed adjustment based on the location of other cars on the road.  [Read more…] about A different way to think about autonomous technology

Cambridge Consultants demonstrates tiny robot small enough to assist in eye operations

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Cambridge Consultants has been demonstrating a tiny robot which is small enough to assist in eye surgery. (See vido below.)

The company says the “Axsis” robot heralds “the next wave of surgical robotics innovation.

Propelling surgical innovation to the next stage, product design and development firm Cambridge Consultants is showcasing Axsis – one of the smallest known robots for surgical use. With an external body the size of a drinks can and instruments only 1.8 millimetres in diameter, Axsis provides a glimpse into the future of surgical robotics.  [Read more…] about Cambridge Consultants demonstrates tiny robot small enough to assist in eye operations

Connected devices, industrial control systems expose manufacturers to cyber threats, say Deloitte and Mapi

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Intellectual property theft tops manufacturers’ concerns, says new report, which identifies measures to control cyber risks associated with advanced manufacturing

Nearly half of surveyed manufacturing executives lack confidence their assets are protected from external threats, according to a new study from Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (Mapi) on Cyber risk in advanced manufacturing. 

Study results indicate nearly 40 percent of surveyed manufacturing companies were affected by cyber incidents in the past 12 months, and 38 percent of those impacted indicated cyber breaches resulted in damages in excess of $1 million.

Trina Huelsman, vice chairman, Deloitte & Touche and US industrial products and services leader, says: “Manufacturers are innovating at an unprecedented rate, integrating cutting-edge technologies in products, automating the shop floor, connecting supply chains, and increasingly investing in valuable intellectual property.  [Read more…] about Connected devices, industrial control systems expose manufacturers to cyber threats, say Deloitte and Mapi

Top five causes of PLC control system failure

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Boulting Technology has released an infographic to help engineers mitigate problems with programmable logic controller (PLC) based control systems. The handy guide highlights the top five causes of failure and can be downloaded free from the Boulting Technology website. 

PLC-based control systems are invaluable to a manufacturing or processing business because they control and regulate critical production systems and processes.

A failed control system can cause significant plant downtime and is likely to be extremely costly; it can also create a hazardous situation when the system is controlling a critical process.  [Read more…] about Top five causes of PLC control system failure

Nissan autonomous tech boss reveals philosophy behind automaker’s approach

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Nissan says it is taking “a step-by-step approach in introducing autonomous driving technologies to market”. 

The company has been relatively quiet of late on its developments but is now revealing more about its philosophy.

Nissan says that to see the autonomous driving fully integrate into daily life, solving the many technological challenges as well as societal acceptance are key.  [Read more…] about Nissan autonomous tech boss reveals philosophy behind automaker’s approach

Rewriting the rules: The benefits and challenges of IT/OT convergence

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Martyn Williams, managing director of Copa-Data UK, explains the changing responsibilities of IT and OT

The convergence of industrial automation and communication is an integral part of the growing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In the modern industrial realm, automation should provide a consistent way of executing tasks and processes – including those usually associated with information technology (IT).

As a result, the operational technology (OT) used to support manufacturing processes is experiencing significant changes.

IT and OT convergence describes the integration of IT systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications, with OT systems, such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

Traditionally, IT and OT have remained two separate silos, maintaining independent protocols, standards and governance models. However, for companies pursuing operational effectiveness, increased profits and growth, the convergence of these two systems is a no brainer.  [Read more…] about Rewriting the rules: The benefits and challenges of IT/OT convergence

Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

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Yamaha Motor says its internet of things automation system enables integrated control of multiple robot products with one controller

Yamaha has developed a new Advanced Robotics Automation platform – essentially an internet of things system for connecting machines together. 

This integrated control robot system enables building advanced automated production lines at low cost, in short time frames, and provides a “remarkable increase in compatibility with IoT”, says Yamaha.

The company adds that the newly-developed integrated controller delivers comprehensive coordination and synchronous control of an entire automated system, including transport of pieces, handling, image recognition, and control of peripheral devices.  [Read more…] about Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

Yamaha launches new SCARA robot and ‘advanced’ robotics automation platform

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Company claims its robot has the industry’s fastest motion performance of a 0.28 seconds standard cycle time, and it targets unit sales of 2,800 at an open price

Yamaha has introduced a “new full model change” SCARA Robot YKX Series, which is compatible with its own “Advanced Robotics Automation Platform” – essentially an internet of things platform for its machines. 

Yamaha will formally launch the new YKX series of SCARA robots and its the newly-developed Advanced Robotics Automation Platform integrated control robot system on December 1, 2016.

With this “full model change”, as Yamaha calls it, the YKX series has achieved even higher rigidity and high-speed motion through drive system upgrades and Yamaha Motor’s “unique” motor-reduction gear direct connection structure – a completely beltless structure, says the company.  [Read more…] about Yamaha launches new SCARA robot and ‘advanced’ robotics automation platform

Faurecia launches $64 million smart factory in Columbus, Indiana

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Picture credit: Faurecia via DBusiness.com

Faurecia has unveiled a $64 million “digital factory”, or smart factory as some call it, which the company says showcases the future of manufacturing.

Faurecia says the Columbus, Indiana-based emissions control technologies plant represents the industrial giant’s digital transformation.

Faurecia, which is a leading automotive technology supplier, says the $64 million Columbus South plant is a “data-driven manufacturing facility”.  [Read more…] about Faurecia launches $64 million smart factory in Columbus, Indiana