Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

industrial robots

Fraunhofer developing ‘next generation of industrial robots’

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The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany is developing what it says will be the “next generation of industrial robots”, which integrate new kinematics for milling, customized, high-precision manufacturing

Manufacturers generally must offer high-quality products at low prices in order to remain competitive.

In a bid to provide the production technologies they will require, three Fraunhofer Institute teams are working together on what they say is “the next generation of industrial robots which will facilitate cost-effective production processes”.

The researchers are focusing on developing a new kinematics for milling lightweight materials, metals, and steels. The aim: achieving a production tolerance of just 0.1 millimeters all over the robot workspace starting with the very first component.  [Read more…] about Fraunhofer developing ‘next generation of industrial robots’

Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

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In this article, Robotics and Automation News ponders on the prospects for, and recent history in, America’s manufacturing sector.

One of the main reasons Donald Trump won the US presidential election is because he pledged to revitalise the American manufacturing sector and bring back jobs that have been lost to other nations over the past couple of decades.

Some may argue that he’s done well so far, persuading big-name companies such as Apple and General Motors to increase their investment in manufacturing operations in the US rather than spend the money abroad.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

Kassow Robots to launch lightweight collaborative robot at Automatica

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Kassow Robots, the Denmark-based brainchild of robotics engineer Kristian Kassow and his two co-founders, is set to launch itself on a global stage at the Automatica trade fair in Munich in June 2018.

The Danish start-up, whose motto is “strong, fast, simple,” has been developing uniquely efficient 7-axis industrial lightweight robots since it was founded in 2014. Kassow robots are extremely fast and powerful, and are suitable for use in small spaces.

The company says its robots’ “user-friendly interface” provides businesses with greater flexibility, enabling smaller businesses without their own robotics specialists to achieve complex automation and programming cost-effectively and independently.  [Read more…] about Kassow Robots to launch lightweight collaborative robot at Automatica

Almost 7,000 robotics companies now established in China

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There are almost 7,000 robotics companies now established in China, according to a report from Xinhua.

Xinhua says the exact number established in 2017 alone is actually 1,686.

That brings the total number of robotics companies established in China to more than 6,500 according to Xinhua’s calculations.  [Read more…] about Almost 7,000 robotics companies now established in China

Hyundai Heavy Industries to sell Kuka robots to manufacturers

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Hyundai Heavy Industries has reached an agreement to supply Kuka industrial robots and other products to manufacturers and other industrial companies. 

This is according to a report on the website of the Korea Herald, which says the agreement is for HHI to market Kuka products to “large Korean manufacturing firms”.

South Korean industry is dominated by what are referred to chaebols, which means very large conglomerates, and gaining access to them is probably quite difficult.  [Read more…] about Hyundai Heavy Industries to sell Kuka robots to manufacturers

Automotive robotics market forecast to grow to $6 billion by 2024

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SCARA robots used in the automobile industry will cross over 33 thousand units by 2024, according to research by GM Insights.

The company says this can be credited to increasing usage in applications such as high-speed assembly and handling operations.

Rising demand for reduced bottlenecks and optimized productivity will boost the product penetration.  [Read more…] about Automotive robotics market forecast to grow to $6 billion by 2024

Kuka launches specialised system for riveting

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Industrial Robot maker Kuka has launched something it calls ready2_rivet, which the company says is the “ideal self-pierce riveting solution for body-in-white applications”.

The new ready2_rivet solution is part of Kuka’s ready2_use range.

The self-pierce riveting solution for body-in-white applications has been developed jointly with Böllhoff, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of fasteners and assembly systems.  [Read more…] about Kuka launches specialised system for riveting

Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

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One of China’s largest home appliance manufacturers is planning to increase its use of robotics and automation technologies in an effort to become more productive. 

Gree, which must be a competitor of home appliances giant Midea, another Chinese company, is said to be “setting up unmanned factories”, some of which are already established.

This is according to China.org, which seems to be a government-connected news website.  [Read more…] about Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

Kuka expects to double its business to more than $1 billion through Midea’s China connections

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Industrial robot maker Kuka is forecasting sales of more than $1.24 billion in China by 2020, which would be more than double the volume of business it currently does in the country. 

This is according to a report on the South China Morning Post website, which adds that Kuka is looking to make the most of parent company Midea’s China connections.

Kuka reported global sales of $4.3 billion worldwide for 2017, and currently does approximately $558 million worth of business in mainland China now.  [Read more…] about Kuka expects to double its business to more than $1 billion through Midea’s China connections

Demand for industrial robots to treble in automotive industry

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The automotive industry’s demand for industrial robots is forecast to treble in the next seven years, according to a new report. 

The auto industry has always been the biggest buyer of industrial robots, accounting for almost half of all units sold in North America, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

Now, a forecast by Grand View Research suggests the automotive robotics market will grow to $13.6 billion by 2025.  [Read more…] about Demand for industrial robots to treble in automotive industry