Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

flexible

Warehouse automation: Overview of infrastructure choices

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Get more details and statistics by downloading the white paper ‘Flexible v Fixed Infrastructure: The warehouses of today and tomorrow’

In these computer-dominated times, the word “infrastructure” can prompt people to think both of physical infrastructure, which we are focusing on here, as well as digital infrastructure.

Staying in the digital dimension for a moment, if you are planning to establish a warehouse, you are likely going to need to set up your data infrastructure first.

A Local Area Network, or LAN, covers your warehouse and the immediate vicinity, while the Wide Area Network will cover facilities in various locations and connect them all up to the head office, which may be in a separate place altogether. [Read more…] about Warehouse automation: Overview of infrastructure choices

Collaborative robot market forecast to grow beyond $11 billion by 2030

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The collaborative robot market will exceed $11 billion by 2030, representing 29 percent of the total industrial robot market, according to ABI Research.

Buoyed by early innovators and adopters, the collaborative robotics market will become increasingly mainstream over the next 10 years.

The new analysis from global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research finds that the yearly revenue for cobot arms will reach $11.8 billion by 2030, an enormous increase from $711 million in 2019. [Read more…] about Collaborative robot market forecast to grow beyond $11 billion by 2030

B&R expands its library of HMI widgets

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The new Skyline widget from B&R‘s mapp View HMI software package displays a clear overview of extensive manufacturing systems.

The widget can also be linked to an alarm system. With important information about their machines available at a glance, plant operators are able to react promptly to error messages. This prevents downtime and increases the productivity of the plant.

The interactive HMI element is suitable for modular machines and plants in any industry. The developer simply drags the widget into place on the HMI screen and configures it as needed.

[Read more…] about B&R expands its library of HMI widgets

ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

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Industrial automation provider ABB and telecommunications equipment company Ericsson have strengthened their commitment to accelerate the industrial ecosystem for flexible wireless automation, which will enable enhanced connected services, industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies in the future. 

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Hannover Messe 2019, establishing their joint vision for future flexible production with automation and wireless communication.

The collaboration comes during the Industry 4.0 era and 5G connectivity which allow businesses to realize increased productivity, with the help of automation and digitalization. [Read more…] about ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

Cambridge Consultants unveils ‘dexterous robot with the human touch’

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Technology research and development company Cambridge Consultants has unveiled what it describes as a “dexterous robot with the human touch”. (See video below.)

Breakthrough innovation specialist Cambridge Consultants has developed Hank, a robot with flexible robotic fingers inspired by the human hand.

Hank uses a pioneering sensory system embedded in its pneumatic fingers, providing a sophisticated sense of touch and slip, meaning it can emulate the human ability to hold and grip delicate objects using just the right amount of pressure.

[Read more…] about Cambridge Consultants unveils ‘dexterous robot with the human touch’

Formlabs launches new generation of 3D printers

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Formlabs, the designer and manufacturer of 3D printing systems, has launched two new advanced professional Low Force Stereolithography 3D printers to its hardware lineup: Form 3 and Form 3L.

LFS 3D printing is an advanced form of stereolithography (SLA) that delivers consistently flawless parts.

The LFS process uses a flexible tank to drastically reduce the forces of the peel process, providing incredible surface finish and detail, and linear illumination to deliver accurate, repeatable parts.

[Read more…] about Formlabs launches new generation of 3D printers

Sick launches new compact image-based code reader

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Sick has launched a new compact image-based code reader, Lector621, for reliable detection of 1D, 2D, stacked codes, and plain text.

The high-performance DPM – direct part marking – decoder can read laser or dot-peened codes perfectly, even in the case of low contrast levels, contamination, or poor code quality.

This fills a gap in Sick’s existing portfolio of code readers, by providing a compact solution with increased reading distance, resolution, field of vision, and scanning frequency. [Read more…] about Sick launches new compact image-based code reader

Locus Robotics raises $26 million in new investment

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Supply chain automation startup Locus Robotics has raised $26 million in Series C funding.

The company says it will use the proceeds to scale production of its revolutionary multi-bot solution for warehouse fulfillment, as well as for expansion of its sales and marketing efforts, both in North America, and internationally.

Participants in the round include Zebra Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Zebra Technologies, and Scale Venture Partners, which led the Company’s Series B round in 2017. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics raises $26 million in new investment

Xiamen installs 64 Universal Robots machines on production line

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One of the world’s largest manufacturers of bathroom accessories and auto parts, Xiamen Runner Industrial Corporation in China, has installed 64 Universal Robots arms to upgrade the efficiency of the production process by establishing a highly-efficient, flexible, and reliable production line.

The UR robots are installed in 10 different applications ranging from injection molding machine tending, gas testing and product assembly.

Before deploying UR robots, most operations at Runner Corporation were manual with operator fatigue posing risks on both safety and product yield. The company was devoted to developing a highly-efficient, flexible, and reliable production line.  [Read more…] about Xiamen installs 64 Universal Robots machines on production line