Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

demand

NFI places $10 million order for material handling robots from Boston Dynamics

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NFI Industries, a supply chain solutions provider, has signed a $10 million agreement to deploy Boston Dynamics’ newest robot, Stretch, across its US warehousing operations.

The mobile robot will begin unloading trucks and containers as a pilot program at NFI’s Savannah, GA facility in 2023, with plans to outfit additional warehouse locations across North America over the next few years.

Supply chain demand remains near all-time highs. To support the flow of goods and increase operational capacity, NFI continues to invest in technology that supports a people-led, technology-enabled approach. [Read more…] about NFI places $10 million order for material handling robots from Boston Dynamics

3 Capabilities of an Electronic Manufacturing Services Company

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The process of manufacturing in-demand gadgets like phones and TVs follows several phases. In effect, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has to research and develop a design that meets current consumer needs.

Because of these current demands, most manufacturers build their products in-house or outsource related tasks. The latter has become a standard option for most OEMs as they focus on researching possible product improvements.

The subcontractors who handle these tasks do so in what’s referred to as electronic manufacturing services (EMS). Specialized engineering experts like Nortech Systems help OEMs attain their project goals.

The cost will depend on the complexity of the tasks and the current stage of product development. [Read more…] about 3 Capabilities of an Electronic Manufacturing Services Company

Volvo Group to establish battery production plant in Sweden

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The Volvo Group has initiated the process to establish a large-scale production plant for battery cells in Sweden.

The company says the initiative is designed to meet “the growing demand for battery electric heavy-duty vehicles and machines”.

Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO of the Volvo Group, says: “We aim to lead the transition to a decarbonized transport system and have the long-term ambition to offer our customers solutions that are 100 percent fossil free. [Read more…] about Volvo Group to establish battery production plant in Sweden

Fanuc plans to double Michigan campus to accommodate ‘automation demand’

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Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, has launched a West Campus expansion that will push its operational space in Oakland County, Michigan to nearly two million square feet.

The construction will include a 655,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility to house manufacturing, engineering and R&D projects.

This investment in Michigan’s growing manufacturing area includes the purchase of 67 acres of land as well as the site of the former Thomas M. Cooley Law School Campus, which will provide future growth in the education of the next generation of robotics and automation workers. [Read more…] about Fanuc plans to double Michigan campus to accommodate ‘automation demand’

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

Yaskawa completes new plant for manufacturing mounting boards and electronic units in China

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Yaskawa Electric, parent company of Yaskawa Mechatronics, one of the world’s largest industrial robot makers, has completed a new plant in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, in China.

The facility has already begun the mass production of mounting boards for servo amplifiers and AC drives as well as electronic units for robot control panels used in its production bases in China.

Yaskawa says that, in China, economic activities are currently “stagnant” because of Covid-19 but demand for factory automation at production sites is increasing due to labor shortages caused by the low birth rate and ageing population, rising labor costs, and the risk of coronavirus spreading. [Read more…] about Yaskawa completes new plant for manufacturing mounting boards and electronic units in China

Universal Robots reports revenue of $83 million in Q2

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Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot maker, has reported Q2 revenue of $83 million, describing it as “robust growth” for the company.

Kim Povlsen, president of Universal Robots, says: “In headline terms, second quarter revenue is up 8 percent on the same period last year but in local Danish currency the company has seen growth of 22 percent for Q2.”

Povlsen adds that, measured this way, Universal Robots has seen growth of 30 percent across the first two quarters of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021. [Read more…] about Universal Robots reports revenue of $83 million in Q2

ABB launches new, ‘fastest’ five-axis Delta robot

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ABB has launched a new five-axis Delta robot which it claims is “the fastest for lightweight product picking, packing and reorientation”.

The new machine is part of the FlexPicker Delta robot portfolio and is called the IRB 365. With five axis and 1.5 kg payload, the IRB 365 is both flexible and the fastest in its class for reorienting packaged lightweight products such as cookies, chocolates, peppers, candies, small bottles, and parcels.

Responding to the rise in e-commerce and growing demand for shelf ready packaged goods, the IRB 365 has been developed for applications including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, where production line speed and adaptability are essential. [Read more…] about ABB launches new, ‘fastest’ five-axis Delta robot

Small-batch medical shop triples production with robotics

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Figuring out how to meet rising production demand can be deceptive. On the surface, it’s a simple math problem. If you have one machine on the floor and it makes eight parts per day, and you need to produce 16 parts per day, just add another machine, right?

Meeting demand in a consistent, cost-effective manner is a bit more complicated. Sometimes, it takes a little more due diligence to uncover the best way to increase throughput or meet rising demand.

The operations group at Ultradent Products, a leading developer and manufacturer of high- tech dental materials and devices, faced such a problem. In 2017, the company sought to increase production of its industry-leading Valo curing light, used by dental clinicians to cure dental composites, sealants, and various other chemistries. [Read more…] about Small-batch medical shop triples production with robotics

GXO partners with 6 River Systems for supply of warehouse robots

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GXO Logistics, one of the world’s largest contract logistics providers, has reached a multi-year global agreement with 6 River Systems, a robotic fulfillment solutions provider, to meet the demand for collaborative mobile robots – also known as autonomous mobile robots – in its logistics operations across the US and Europe.

Sandeep Sakharkar, chief information officer at GXO, says: “6 River Systems’ Chucks provide a huge boost to the retention of our team members and deliver a substantial sustained increase in operational productivity.

“This agreement fortifies our long-term partnership with 6RS, ensuring rapid deployment of popular productivity-enhancing warehouse collaborative robots that give our customers a competitive advantage.” [Read more…] about GXO partners with 6 River Systems for supply of warehouse robots