Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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Robots are forever: How a robot diamond cutter could change a market already disrupted by lab-grown diamonds

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About six years ago, the Scientific and Technical Research Center for Diamonds, in Antwerp, Belgium, demonstrated a highly sophisticated robotic system that can automatically cut or polish diamonds in a fraction of the time it takes the most experienced human diamond cutter to do it by hand – “10 to 20 times faster”, according to its makers.

Called the “Fenix” robot, the system is incredibly well designed and it’s no surprise that it generated a lot of interest. So much so that a company called HS Technology, based in the United States, ended up acquiring the entire organisation – it bought the Scientific and Technical Research Center for Diamonds.

Not much was heard about Fenix after that, but the latest is that HD Blueprint, a company specialising in the development of diamond cutting and polishing technologies, now owns the company and machine. [Read more…] about Robots are forever: How a robot diamond cutter could change a market already disrupted by lab-grown diamonds

5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Engagement Ring

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Moissanite engagement rings are gorgeous and affordable alternatives to diamond engagement rings and come in many styles and colors to suit everyone’s tastes.

However, because they are newer than diamonds on the market, it can be hard to know what to look for when you buy one as a gift or when choosing one yourself.

This guide will help you learn how to choose the perfect Moissanite engagement ring based on factors like size, cut, clarity, color, and more so that you can make sure your ring looks as great as possible at all times! [Read more…] about 5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Engagement Ring

Lab-Grown Diamonds Growing in Popularity

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Diamonds have always been the ultimate symbol of luxury and glamour and to this day, they are the chosen stone for engagement rings across the globe.

They may still be a girl’s (and boy’s) best friend, but the question remains – does it matter if they are naturally mined or grown in a lab?

Current diamond buyers have answered this question clearly and unequivocally – it doesn’t matter, particularly when lab-grown diamonds shine just as bright and have similar characteristics to quality mined diamonds. [Read more…] about Lab-Grown Diamonds Growing in Popularity

Iowa scientists create nanoscale sensors to ‘better see how high pressure affects materials’

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Scientists at Iowa State University have developed new nanoscale technology to image and measure more of the stresses and strains on materials under high pressures.

As the researchers reported in the journal Science, that matters because, “Pressure alters the physical, chemical and electronic properties of matter.”

Understanding those changes could lead to new materials or new phases of matter for use in all kinds of technologies and applications, said Valery Levitas, a paper co-author and Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering at Iowa State University, the Vance Coffman Faculty Chair and professor in aerospace engineering. [Read more…] about Iowa scientists create nanoscale sensors to ‘better see how high pressure affects materials’

3D printed diamonds: Large companies forecast to spend $3 billion on 3D printing by next year

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Sales of products related to 3D printing by large public companies is expected to grow by 12.5 percent to top $3 billion by 2020, according to a study from Deloitte.

Much of it will come from greater use of metal parts in applications beyond rapid prototyping – manufacturing and / or repair.

As background, the global manufacturing sector’s revenue as a whole totals approximately $12 trillion annually. [Read more…] about 3D printed diamonds: Large companies forecast to spend $3 billion on 3D printing by next year