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Researchers develop robot fingertips for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions

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A team of researchers at Kanazawa University has developed a robot control system – or fingertips – for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions.

The researchers say that the study was able to verify that “object grasping by soft surface fluid fingertips with high friction was controllable by applying a suitable lubricant”.

However, they added that it was necessary to do more experiments under various conditions in order to apply the current controlling technology to manufacturing environments. [Read more…] about Researchers develop robot fingertips for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions

US manufacturing output reaches ‘all-time high’

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Manufacturing output in the US has reached an “all-time high”, signaling the industry’s strength, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

For the past two years, manufacturers have been setting new records when it comes to manufacturing output, and through the first quarter of 2019, the industry has continued to reach new heights.

Four out of five manufacturers remain positive about their company’s outlook, according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ latest Outlook Survey, and new Bureau of Economic Analysis data find that manufacturers’ level of output hit an all-time high once again. [Read more…] about US manufacturing output reaches ‘all-time high’

Want to know how safe your warehouse job is? There’s an app for that

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In 2017 there were nearly 350,000 incidents of workers taking sick leave due to injuries affecting muscles, nerves, ligaments or tendons – like carpal tunnel syndrome – according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Among the workers with the highest number of incidents: people who work in factories and warehouses.

Musculoskeletal disorders happen at work when people use awkward postures or perform repeated tasks. These behaviors generate strain on the body over time. So it’s important to point out and minimize risky behaviors to keep workers healthy on the job. [Read more…] about Want to know how safe your warehouse job is? There’s an app for that

Stäubli charging system installed for electric vehicles at Long Beach port

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Stäubli’s Quick Charging Connector (QCC), a rapid charging system for the automatic charging of electric vehicles, have been incorporated in high powers chargers installed by Tritium at the Port of Long Beach, California, USA.

SSA Marine, which manages the terminal at the Port of Long Beach, is transforming 33 diesel-powered tractors by retrofitting them with all-electric drivetrain systems.

Tritium, an Australian company that designs and manufactures fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles, will install its Veefil High Power Chargers (HPCs), type PK 175kW DC to power SSA Marine’s fleet of terminal tractors.

[Read more…] about Stäubli charging system installed for electric vehicles at Long Beach port

Genesis and Demaurex to develop ‘next generation’ robotic systems

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Demaurex, a Swiss robotics company and pioneer of high speed pick and place robotics, and Genesis Robotics and Motion Technologies, an innovative start-up robotics company, have signed a joint development agreement to integrate Genesis Robotics’ revolutionary LiveDrive Direct-Drive Motors into Demaurex’s latest generation “delta robot systems”.

The JDA was signed at an exclusive signing ceremony at the Lausanne headquarters of Demaurex to begin what both companies hail as a milestone in the development of advanced robotics.

Demaurex engineered and industrialized the original Delta robot in 1988, based on a patent of Prof Reymond Clavel of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, introducing high speed, vision guided product pick and place systems to the robotics market for the first time. [Read more…] about Genesis and Demaurex to develop ‘next generation’ robotic systems

Elephant Robotics launches collaborative robot

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Elephant Robotics has unveiled a collaborative robot, called “Catbot”, saying it is one of the new generation of smart assistant robotic arms. The cobot is available for pre-order, with delivery scheduled for August. 

Human-robot collaborations are happening across factories worldwide, yet very few are using it for smaller businesses, due to high costs or the difficulty of customization, says the company.

Elephant Robotics, a startup from Shenzhen, China – or the “Silicon Valley of Asia”, as Elephant describes it – has set its sight on helping smaller businesses gain access to smart robotics. [Read more…] about Elephant Robotics launches collaborative robot

BD launches solution for high throughput molecular diagnostic testing

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Medical technology company Becton Dickinson and Co, has launched the CE-IVDD certification of the BD COR System in Europe.

The high throughput solution for infectious disease diagnostics sets a new standard in automation for molecular testing in core laboratories and other large centralized laboratories.

The BD COR System integrates and automates the complete molecular laboratory workflow from pre-analytical processing to diagnostic test result. [Read more…] about BD launches solution for high throughput molecular diagnostic testing

Epson Robots wins Vision Systems Design 2019 Innovators award

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Epson Robots was presented with a Silver-Honoree award in the Robotics category at the Fifth Annual Vision Systems Design Innovators Awards presentation, held recently in Chicago, Illinois.

The Epson Force Guide was recognized by a panel of esteemed experts from system integrator and end-user companies. The company was recognized the previous year for their Synthis T3 All-in-One SCARA robot.

Gregg Brunnick, director of product management for Epson Robots, says: “Vision Systems Design’s recognition of our new Force Guide underscores our commitment to meeting our customers’ needs for a revolutionary force control system that opens up possibilities for robot automation in areas that were not possible before. [Read more…] about Epson Robots wins Vision Systems Design 2019 Innovators award

Teradyne ships its 4,000th ‘Eagle’ semiconductor test system to MPS

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Teradyne says it has shipped its 4,000th Eagle Test System, hitting a new sales success milestone for its Eagle Test System automatic test equipment in China.

MPS, a high-growth, linear, power and automotive semiconductor supplier with multiple locations in China, purchased the milestone system, an ETS-88.

The ETS-88 is an optimal platform for testing a wide variety of devices including simple analog, high precision, high voltage, high current / power, automotive, video, audio, complex mixed-signal, as well as emerging power processes like SiC and GaN. [Read more…] about Teradyne ships its 4,000th ‘Eagle’ semiconductor test system to MPS

Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

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Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.’s electric vehicle (EV) inverter has been adopted by Audi for its first mass production EV, the e-tron, which went on sale in Europe in March this year.

With tightened environmental regulations around the world, many countries are driving for greater adoption of electric vehicles.

This has led to the demand for more efficient and higher-output electric motors, inverters, and other electric powertrain systems that will contribute to high performance EVs.

[Read more…] about Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron