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Japan is the world’s predominant industrial robot manufacturer, according to new analysis by the International Federation of Robotics.
The production capacity of the Japanese suppliers reached 153,000 units in 2016 – the highest level ever recorded, says the IFR.
“Today, Japan’s manufacturers deliver 52 percent of the global supply,” adds the IFR. [Read more…] about Japan responsible for robots taking over the world, says IFR
Overactive Chinese manufacturers of smartphones and computers have driven Yaskawa to the point of increasing production capacity by 25 per cent.
Yaskawa says it will increase its monthly output from its current 1,200 units per month to 1,500 units per month to meet frenetically increasing demand from Chinese electronics manufacturers, according to a report on Nikkei.
The increase in capacity will be achieved at Yaskawa’s plant in Jiangsu Province, which is set for expansion towards the end of next year. [Read more…] about Yaskawa to increase production capacity by 25 per cent in China
ABB says it will feature “a broad range of advanced robotic welding technology designed to enhance safety, quality and productivity” at FabTech 2017
Metal Fabricators of all sizes are adopting robotic automation to maximize throughput, reduce costs and remove people from repetitive tasks and challenging environments.
The exhibit highlights the elevated level of collaboration, digitalization and simplification unique to ABB, which helps achieve these goals while providing fabricators the flexibility to efficiently adapt production as manufacturing continues to trend from mass production to mass customization.
Collaboration comes in the form of YuMi, ABB’s dual-arm collaborative robot that can operate very closely with humans due to its “inherently safe construction”, according to ABB, and is specifically designed to meet the flexible and agile production needs of small parts assembly and material handling applications. [Read more…] about ABB to showcase ‘broad range’ of welding technologies at FabTech 2017
The world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, Fanuc, says its profits have increased by more than 40 per cent as a result of strong demand from China, according to a report on Nikkei.
The company is currently reporting its financial performance for the six-month period up to September.
It says its profits for the period were $750 million, which is more than a 42 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. [Read more…] about Fanuc reports more than 40 per cent increase in profits on strength of China sales
Apple suppliers “continue to struggle with low yield rate” because the smartphone giant is integrating advanced technologies, requiring investment in new and expensive manufacturing processes, which affect the suppliers’ profit margins, according to Nikkei.
Apple is planning to launch its $1,000-dollar iPhone X to consumers in the coming months, but the new device includes functions not found in other phones, which is requiring manufacturers to change their processes and invest in new equipment.
Among the features in Apple’s high-end iPhone X will be facial recognition and organic light-emitting diode screens, both of which are new technologies and not found in current Apple devices. [Read more…] about Apple manufacturing partners ‘struggle with low yield rate’
Yaskawa Electric says it has achieved a staggering 150 per cent growth in net profit for the period from April to September, compared with the same period last year, according to a report on Nikkei.
Nikkei says Yaskawa’s profits for the period were $184 million, beating its own previous records.
Yaskawa, which also owns the Motoman brand of industrial robot, says most of the growth was due to increased orders for automation equipment from China, Japan and the US. [Read more…] about Yaskawa Electric reports stunning 150 per cent more profits with robotics and automation leading the way
The Robotics Industries Association is partnering with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to create a new standards body for robotics and other relevant industries.
RIA is the main industrial robotics association in the US and was established in 1974.
OSHA and NIOSH are both government agencies – OSHA is under the Department of Labour, and NIOSH is under the Department of Health and Human Services. [Read more…] about RIA partners with OSHA and NIOSH to create unpronounceable robot group
The German robotics and automation industry is growing at a faster rate than previously forecast, according to the VDMA, and will break records.
The sector will reach €14 billion ($16.4 billion) annually for the first time, says the VDMA.
The VDMA is the German industrial association, said to be the largest in Europe, with more than 3,200 member companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
The organisation has a section called VDMA Robotics + Automation, a specialist association with more than 270 members, which includes suppliers of components and systems from the areas of robotics, integrated assembly solutions, and industrial image processing. [Read more…] about German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected
CommScope, a provider of infrastructure solutions for communications networks, has opened a new advanced manufacturing technology centre at its Kessel Lo, Belgium site.
The centre will showcase a newly formed partnership with Yaskawa, one of the world’s largest industrial robot suppliers, to determine the feasibility of adding robot technology and greater automation to manufacturing processes.
The new Advanced Manufacturing Technology centre enables CommScope to develop automated manufacturing competencies and technology in a laboratory setting through cross-functional collaboration and partnerships with universities, knowledge partners and suppliers. [Read more…] about Yaskawa partners with CommScope on advanced manufacturing technology centre in Belgium
Panasonic has opened technical centers for arc and laser welding technologies in Farmington Hills, Michigan and Hilliard, near Columbus, Ohio.
Opening ceremonies were recently held in both locations for over 50 executives from the automotive and related industries.
Attendees experienced hands-on technology demonstrations, learned about future new product and technology introductions, and attended welding technology seminars during the course of the celebratory events. [Read more…] about Panasonic opens arc and laser welding technical centers in Michigan and Ohio
