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ABB expands project to automate semiconductor factory

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What started out as a small project to automate a single production stage has morphed into an award-winning program to digitally transform one of ABB’s own factories – in what is dubbed Project Genesis. (See video below.) 

The power semiconductors produced by ABB pass through hundreds of production steps, from raw wafer dicing to the final semiconductor module.

Production of the BiMOS semiconductor – one of two types produced at Lenzburg, Switzerland – was labor intensive and tended to generate bottlenecks during high demand. [Read more…] about ABB expands project to automate semiconductor factory

Major European and Japanese car manufacturers integrate Techman Robot into supply chains

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Major European and Japanese car manufacturers are integrating Techman Robot collaborative robots into their supply chains.

Collaborative robots that can be flexibly applied to a small-volume but large-variety production line, focus on human-robot collaboration and facilitate smart manufacturing are emerging.

Compared to other industries, the level of automation in the automotive industry is much higher. The latest report from Kenneth Research predicts that the shipment and sales revenue brought by collaborative robots in the automotive industry will increase by 43 percent every year by 2022. [Read more…] about Major European and Japanese car manufacturers integrate Techman Robot into supply chains

‘Seismic shift’ happening in manufacturing sector, says new report

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There is a seismic shift happening in the manufacturing industry as it advances towards Industry 4.0, according to a new report by Ericsson.

The telecommunications technology company recently launched its Connected Manufacturing report, which explores challenges the industry is up against and how smart solutions will be “key in helping manufacturers gearing up for Industry 4.0”.

Specifically, the report offers a deep-dive analysis of five high-value use cases and technologies that address the most imminent points in the industry. [Read more…] about ‘Seismic shift’ happening in manufacturing sector, says new report

Luxshare buys iPhone assembly factory and becomes bigger than Foxconn

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Chinese hi-tech manufacturer Luxshare Precision Industry has bought an iPhone assembly factory from Wistron and has become bigger than Foxconn in terms of market capitalization.

Although Luxshare is well known in the industry, it’s not as famous as its Taiwanese rival Foxconn, which also goes by the name of Hon Hai Precision and has been Apple’s main contract manufacturer for many years.

Luxshare had previously been supplying individual components for iPhones but the Wistron factory purchase means that it can now provide assembled parts or complete devices. [Read more…] about Luxshare buys iPhone assembly factory and becomes bigger than Foxconn

Desperate Chinese manufacturers resorting to ‘street vendor’ tactics

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Desperate Chinese manufacturers are resorting to “street vendor” tactics in order to survive amid the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In the past, street vendors were targeted by the police and Communist government and shut down wherever they were found, even if they were licensed.

The thinking was that street vendors were a blight on urban landscapes and hampered regeneration programmes. [Read more…] about Desperate Chinese manufacturers resorting to ‘street vendor’ tactics

Waypoint launches Kingpin lift and hitch top module for its warehouse robots

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Waypoint Robotics has launched a top module that enables the company’s omnidirectional warehouse robots to automatically load and unload payloads and connect to a variety of carts for material movement.

The module is called “Kingpin” and Waypoint says it enables its Vector robot – a 600 lb payload capacity AMR – to do two critical jobs with one simple top module, as opposed to having a dedicated fleet of lift deck robots for automatic load/unload, and another dedicated fleet of cart connecting robots for cart transport.

With Kingpin, Vector can automatically pick up a tote on one side of the factory, deliver it to the other side of the factory, and then connect to a cart on the way back to the starting point. [Read more…] about Waypoint launches Kingpin lift and hitch top module for its warehouse robots

Volkswagen invests €450 million in battery manufacturing joint venture with Northvolt

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Volkswagen is to construct buildings and infrastructure for the battery cell factory it has agreed to build with Northvolt. The automotive giant has made initial investment of some €450 million.

The joint venture between Volkswagen Group and the Swedish battery producer Northvolt is gaining further momentum.

It has been decided that Volkswagen itself will erect the buildings and infrastructure for the joint venture’s “Northvolt Zwei” factory that is to produce lithium-ion battery cells, in order to leverage synergies at the Salzgitter site – based on the existing Center of Excellence for Battery Cells. [Read more…] about Volkswagen invests €450 million in battery manufacturing joint venture with Northvolt

BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

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Automotive factories to incorporate artificial intelligence robots built on new Isaac platform from Nvidia

BMW Group has selected the new Nvidia Isaac robotics platform to enhance its automotive factories – utilizing logistics robots built on advanced AI computing and visualization technologies, the companies announced today.

The collaboration centers on implementing an end-to-end system based on Nvidia technologies – from training and testing through to deployment – with robots developed using one software architecture, running on Nvidia’s open Isaac robotics platform.

BMW Group’s objective is to enhance logistics factory flow to produce custom-configured cars more rapidly and efficiently. Once developed, the system will be deployed to BMW Group factories worldwide. [Read more…] about BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

Comau releases infographic about smart factory trends

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Industrial automation company Comau has released a new video-infographic about the Smart Factory latest trends.

The company notes that, as a result of digitization, many everyday objects are able to collect data, analyze external information and communicate with each other.

But what happens when this type of technology is applied to the factory, both large companies and SMEs? What elements will characterize the factory of the future? [Read more…] about Comau releases infographic about smart factory trends

Audi to ‘gradually restart production’ in Europe

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Audi will gradually initiate the restart of production at its plants in Europe during the coming weeks.

The company had announced the temporary suspension of production at its European sites in mid-March.

The background to the decision was supply bottlenecks and a drop in demand due to the corona pandemic. [Read more…] about Audi to ‘gradually restart production’ in Europe