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SICK launches new photoelectric sensor

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SICK has unveiled its new Roller Sensor Bar (RSB) as an addition to its extensive portfolio of photoelectric sensors. This sensor provides the logistics and production markets a reliable solution to accommodate the ever-increasing variety of packaging shapes and sizes, and that provides a quick and easy installation experience.

Traditional sensors are mounted above the side frame and require installers to align and teach the sensor to a reflector at the end consumer, leading to high costs.

SICK offers the RSB as a solution to high installation costs and packaging variations to help logistics and production processes run more smoothly and efficiently. [Read more…] about SICK launches new photoelectric sensor

Nidec develops AC servo motor equipped with Zignear

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Nidec and its subsidiary Nidec Sankyo have jointly developed an AC servo motor (resolution: 17bit) equipped with Zignear, the position detection technology that can be applied to industrial robots and replace encoders.

The motor is intended for application in industrial robots and automated guided vehicles.

An encoder, which is a sensor used to detect the rotation of a brushless DC motor mainly, is essential in adjusting a motor to an intended location, and keeping its rotation consistent. [Read more…] about Nidec develops AC servo motor equipped with Zignear

SICK unveils intelligent solution for safe object differentiation and identification on conveying solutions and packaging machines

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With the introduction of the deTec4 Smart Box Detection access protection system from SICK, secondary packaging machines in the end-of-line area, top and side loaders, or sorter and ejector modules can now be operated in a safe and user-friendly manner.

With the help of a reliable pattern detection logic, Smart Box Detection can safely differentiate rectangular objects, such as boxes, from people and body parts in the inlet and outlet zones of packaging machines or logistics conveying systems.

This allows the boxes to be transported continuously without any stops into and out of fenced in machines. [Read more…] about SICK unveils intelligent solution for safe object differentiation and identification on conveying solutions and packaging machines

Visteon partners with Steradian Semiconductors to build ‘enhanced’ advanced driver assistance systems

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Visteon, a technology company serving the mobility industry, and Steradian Semiconductors, an India-based high-tech imaging radar specialist, will collaborate on efforts that will produce “enhanced” Advance Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) for the global automotive market.

As part of a joint development agreement, Steradian will provide Visteon with access to its advanced 4D image radar sensor hardware and perception software technology.

Imaging radars are integral to autonomous driving technology that are classed as Level 2 and above because they enable safety application development, AI-based perception algorithms, and sensor fusion. [Read more…] about Visteon partners with Steradian Semiconductors to build ‘enhanced’ advanced driver assistance systems

Advanced technology adoption will make Indian roads ‘accident-proof’

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A relatively new company called Hi Tech Robotic Systemz (THRSL) says India’s Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s vision for Indian roads will make vehicles “accident-proof”.

In a recent meeting of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), the minister advocated for fixed driving hours for commercial truck drivers like that of pilots, as well as a policy mandating on-board sleep detection sensors in commercial vehicles to reduce road accidents in India and give relief to truck drivers.

The logistics sector, which is a key enabler and the backbone of any growing economy, is primarily dependent on drivers who operate for long hours in tough working conditions. [Read more…] about Advanced technology adoption will make Indian roads ‘accident-proof’

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems predicted to grow to $63 billion by 2024

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The global market for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is projected to be valued $63 billion by 2024, according to a report by Accurize Market Research. 

The sector is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 10.7 percent from 2017 to 2025.

Advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, are systems developed to automate, adapt, and enhance vehicle systems for safety and improved driving to assist the driver in the driving procedure. [Read more…] about Advanced Driver Assistance Systems predicted to grow to $63 billion by 2024

SICK’s new space-saving light grid provides maximum flexibility and functionality with minimal space requirements

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SICK says its new SLG-2 is “one of the most compact automation light grids of its kind of the market and offers high performance detection and measurement”.

SICK is currently introducing the new SLG-2 automation light grid. This is the second generation of the “Slim Light Grid” from SICK and offers enhanced flexibility and functionality.

Space-saving dimensions, low-profile construction, detection heights adjustable in practical increments, and a blind zone-free design ensure an easy integration in machines where space is limited. [Read more…] about SICK’s new space-saving light grid provides maximum flexibility and functionality with minimal space requirements

Trustworthy Substation Inspection Robot Requires Low Power, High Performance, and Multi-Interface Fanless Embedded System

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A New Generation of Miniaturized, Lightweight, and Modular Wheeled Inspection Robot Powered by DFI Palm-sized Fanless Embedded System in China

Wheeled, substation, and intelligent inspection robots can effectively reduce labor intensity, substation operation, and maintenance costs. It can also improve inspection data quality and create a new substation inspection mode.

With low power consumption, high performance, complete I/O interface, and excellent technical support capabilities, DFI’s EC70A-SU assists Chinese customers to create a new generation of miniaturized, lightweight, and modular wheeled inspection robots. As a result, it improved the intellectual level of substation inspection.

Substation inspection robots mainly serve various substations, concentrated primarily on large-scale substations above 500kV. Therefore, they are used mainly to inspect substation equipment. They are divided into visible light inspections and infrared inspections. [Read more…] about Trustworthy Substation Inspection Robot Requires Low Power, High Performance, and Multi-Interface Fanless Embedded System

SICK launches new miniature photoelectric sensor

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SICK drives innovation with the new W4F miniature photoelectric sensor for intelligent object detection in tight installation spaces for proximity applications

SICK is launching the latest generation of its miniature photoelectric sensors, the W4F. A new ASIC platform delivers numerous performance advantages to this product family.

For example, these sensors can detect jet black, highly reflective, flat, or transparent objects with the utmost reliability. The W4F can also provide distance information, such as the height of objects and, as a result, identify process errors.

Initial users have confirmed that the photoelectric sensors have the best ambient light and sunlight suppression on the market as well as maximum immunity to all known sources of optical interference.  [Read more…] about SICK launches new miniature photoelectric sensor

Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

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Omron has released its new FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor, which can be mounted on a robot to recognize randomly placed bulk automotive parts in three dimensions, enabling space-saving assembly, inspection, and pick and place, which are difficult with conventional robots, and improving productivity.

Production workers are hard to come by these days, and labor costs have risen sharply, says Omron. Manufacturers are now facing intense pressure to automate processes that rely on the senses of experienced human workers.

Moreover, production workers now need to work harmoniously with machines to raise productivity amid the Covid-19 crisis. In particular, the automotive industry requires vision sensors as the eyes of robots that are indispensable for automation because it is difficult for machines to recognize positions and postures of various complex shaped parts. [Read more…] about Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms