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Small Manufacturing Leaders Look for Long-Term Strategies: Connected Factories Driving Demand for Robotics Engineers

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By Thomas R. Cutler

A recent Gartner survey showed 57 percent of manufacturing leaders feel their organization lacks skilled workers to support smart manufacturing digitization plans. Most agreed a long-term strategy is necessary to develop the connected factory worker.

“Our survey revealed that manufacturers are currently going through a difficult phase in their digitization journey toward smart manufacturing,” said Simon Jacobson, vice president analyst, with the Gartner Supply Chain practice.

“They accept that changing from a break-fix mentality and culture to a data-driven workforce is a must. However, intuition, efficiency and engagement cannot be sacrificed. [Read more…] about Small Manufacturing Leaders Look for Long-Term Strategies: Connected Factories Driving Demand for Robotics Engineers

SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

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European automaker SEAT, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has introduced two autonomous, collaborative mobile robots that adapt to the needs of employees to help them with tasks such as transporting parts.

The AMRs – called EffiBOTs, originally made by Effidence – have been integrated into the operations at the automaker’s Martorell plant in Spain.

SEAT says the incorporation of the AMRs at the Martorell factory continues the development and implementation of digital tools and solutions to make the facility a smarter, more digitalised and increasingly connected factory. [Read more…] about SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

BMW and Nvidia develop ‘next level’ virtual factory planning

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The BMW Group and Nvidia are generating a completely new approach to planning highly complex manufacturing systems – with the Omniverse platform.

The virtual factory planning tool integrates a range of planning data and applications and allows real-time collaboration with unrestricted compatibility.

As industry leaders, the BMW Group and Nvidia say they are “setting new standards in virtual factory planning”. [Read more…] about BMW and Nvidia develop ‘next level’ virtual factory planning

TCL implements ‘world’s first’ 5G-enabled autonomous mobile robots from ForwardX

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The Huizhou factory of Chinese multinational electronics company TCL, specializing in surface-mount technology processes, has installed dozens of ForwardX Max 300 Lift Autonomous Mobile Robots to automate the movement of materials across the production facility.

So far, the project has resulted in improved productivity across the production process, less labor dependency for material handling, and a quicker inventory turnover.

The AMRs connect and communicate through a 5G network which was set up as part of TCL’s 5G+ Smart Factory Initiative. [Read more…] about TCL implements ‘world’s first’ 5G-enabled autonomous mobile robots from ForwardX

Bosch produces its first semiconductor wafers through ‘fully automated’ fabrication process

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Bosch says it has produced the first semiconductor wafers through its “fully automated” fabrication process at its facility in Dresden, Germany.

The industrial giant describes it as “a milestone on the path to the chip factory of the future”.

Bosch says this is a key step toward the start of production operations at the factory, which is scheduled for late 2021. [Read more…] about Bosch produces its first semiconductor wafers through ‘fully automated’ fabrication process

Mitsubishi Electric to establish factory automation products service center in Malaysia

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Mitsubishi Electric says it will establish the Malaysia Factory Automation Center on the premises of its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Sales Malaysia, which is located in Selangor state on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

The new facility, which is scheduled to start operating on March 1, will strengthen servicing and support for Mitsubishi Electric factory automation products in Malaysia and thereby facilitate expansion of the company’s local business in factory automation systems.

The Malaysian factory automation market largely comprises an expanding base of local and Japanese enterprises. These firms span numerous industries, including electrical, electronic, automotive, food and beverage, and more, each of which requires various services for the factory automation products they use. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to establish factory automation products service center in Malaysia

OLA to install ABB robotics and automation solutions at its mega-factory for electric scooters

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Ola, India’s largest mobility platform and one of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies, has selected ABB as one of its key partners for robotics and automation solutions for its mega-factory in India that will roll out the Ola electric scooter.

Ola’s scooter mega-factory, billed to be the world’s largest scooter manufacturing plant, is expected to be ready and operational in the coming months.

The facility is also expected to be the country’s most automated, with about 5,000 robots and automated guided vehicles in use once the factory is fully operational to its full capacity. [Read more…] about OLA to install ABB robotics and automation solutions at its mega-factory for electric scooters

DMG MORI showcases futuristic smart factory built around AGVs

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DMG MORI is showcasing its futuristic smart factory. The company is said to be Germany’s largest manufacturer of cutting machine tools and a manufacturer of CNC-controlled lathes and milling machines.

DMG MORI says it has strengthened its Deckel Maho Pfronten location, in southern Germany. In the new, 4,000 sq m monoBLOCK Excellence Factory, DMG MORI is now producing up to 1,000 machine tools per year with a future-oriented assembly concept.

The heart of the “ultra-modern cycle assembly” is a driverless automated guided vehicles (AGV) transport system. The high process efficiency ensures maximum customer benefit. [Read more…] about DMG MORI showcases futuristic smart factory built around AGVs

Epson signs up Industrial Control as distributor in Michigan

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Epson Robots has signed up Industrial Control, a provider of factory automation solutions, products, and training, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions in the state of Michigan.

Epson says Industrial Control’s wealth of knowledge and experience gained through long-standing relationships with machine builders, combined with Epson Robots’ technology, will help manufacturers “reach today’s challenging factory automation objectives”.

Mark Ermatinger, CEO of Industrial Control, says: “Customers are asking for smarter, pre-engineered, and turn-key solutions to help reduce risks and save time. [Read more…] about Epson signs up Industrial Control as distributor in Michigan

Argonaut Manufacturing Services turns to Bright Machines to accelerate and scale production

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Bright Machines and Argonaut Manufacturing Services have agreed a partnership whereby Bright Machines will automate Argonaut’s unique assembly process.

Argonaut, based in Carlsbad, California, is a contract manufacturing organization offering a host of customized manufacturing and supply chain solutions for life science, molecular diagnostics, and biopharmaceutical companies, including formulation, filling, lyophilization, and kitting, as well as automated aseptic fill-finish equipment for sterile injectable drugs.

Argonaut enables organizations to quickly scale pharmaceutical and life science operations by providing expert support and state-of-the-art manufacturing solutions, minimizing costs and risks. [Read more…] about Argonaut Manufacturing Services turns to Bright Machines to accelerate and scale production