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Opinion: Robots are the solution, not the problem, to the workplace safety challenge

By Richard Mawson, sales manager UK and Ireland at OnRobot

Since the mid-twentieth century, robots have been implemented by businesses worldwide to enhance efficiency and multiply productivity levels.

However, while the introduction of robotic equipment in industrial contexts undoubtedly helped organisations increase their profits and revenues, it also transformed the working environments.

Safety concerns inevitably arose. [Read more…] about Opinion: Robots are the solution, not the problem, to the workplace safety challenge

ZF and Foton open joint facility in China to produce automated commercial vehicles

German automotive components giant ZF Friedrichshafen and Chinese commercial vehicles manufacturer Foton have jointly opened a facility to produce automated commercial vehicles.

The joint plant in Jiaxing will produce automatic commercial vehicle transmissions for the Chinese market, and the partners say they see “excellent market potential for automated commercial vehicles in the next five years”.

At the end of 2016, ZF entered into two joint ventures with Foton, a Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, to produce and sell commercial vehicle transmissions. [Read more…] about ZF and Foton open joint facility in China to produce automated commercial vehicles

Kuka synchronises several monster industrial robots to lift giant steel beams

Kuka synchronised several of its KR 1000 titan industrial robots for some co-ordinated heavy-lifting of some rather large steel beams

A total of six Kuka heavy-duty robots were used for stacking heavy steel beams at Mannstædt ready for onward transportation. With a few exceptions, the use of robots in steel production had previously been uncharted territory.

Mannstædt is a manufacturer of steel products. Based in Troisdorf in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the company produces what it calls “tailor-made special profiles”.

Used in the automotive industry and port construction, for example, the steel profiles can weigh up to 2.5 tonnes at a length of up to 26 meters. [Read more…] about Kuka synchronises several monster industrial robots to lift giant steel beams