Robotics & Automation News

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Severstal invests in robotics to automate advanced composites manufacturing with Airborne

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Severstal, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated steel and mining companies, has invested in Dutch company Airborne, a developer of robotic and digital automation platforms for the production of composite parts and products with integrated composites.

Severstal joins other investors in this investment round, including Pangaea Ventures, the leading advanced materials venture capital fund, and SABIC, the world’s third largest diversified chemical company.

Airborne has developed and brought to market a unique set of digital technologies that increase the efficiency of carbon fiber composite production by automating the production process. [Read more…] about Severstal invests in robotics to automate advanced composites manufacturing with Airborne

Denso partners with Qualcomm to develop ‘next-generation’ vehicle dashboards

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Automotive systems maker Denso is partnering with chipmaker Qualcomm to develop what they call “next-generation cockpit systems”.

Though they use the word “cockpit”, they probably mean vehicle dashboards rather than aircraft cockpits.

In recent years, the amount of information provided by a vehicle to the driver has increased due to advanced driver assistance functions using cameras and sensors, as well as various entertainment functions. [Read more…] about Denso partners with Qualcomm to develop ‘next-generation’ vehicle dashboards

OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

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OnRobot, a provider of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper that addresses customer demand for a small but powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

Based on the design of the award-winning OnRobot VG10 electric vacuum gripper, the compact VGC10 is smaller and lighter than its larger cousin, so is ideal for constrained environments and smaller robot arms, but offers the same impressive payload of 15 kg (35 lb).

The VGC10 provides fast out-of-the-box deployment but also offers unlimited customization, with easily changeable suction cup options and the ability to add or replace arms to fit highly specific application needs. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper

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OnRobot, a manufacturer of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched a new gripper which it describes as “small but powerful”.

OnRobot says the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper addresses customer demand for a small, powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

The new gripper has no compressor and requires no air supply, which eliminates the cost, noise, space, and maintenance of producing compressed air, says OnRobot, adding that the compact electrical gripper is “easy to implement and move”. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper

Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

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Realtime Robotics, a developer of responsive motion planning software for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, is expanding its partnership with Mitsubishi Electric.

The company is to develop a “custom integrated solution” that pairs Realtime Robotics’ smart motion planning technology with Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial and collaborative robot product lines.

The intelligent robots will be on display at iREX later this month and there will be a series of demonstrations showcasing the motion-planning technology in action. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

Siemens further expands portfolio and partnerships for industrialized additive manufacturing

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Siemens is further expanding its portfolio and partnerships for industrialized additive manufacturing (AM).

The engineering giant is exhibiting at Formnext 2019 under the slogan “Thinking industrialized Additive Manufacturing further!”.

Formnext is regarded as the leading global trade fair dedicated to additive manufacturing and all of its upstream and downstream processes. [Read more…] about Siemens further expands portfolio and partnerships for industrialized additive manufacturing

ArtiMinds boosts its robot programming solutions with Wibu-Systems security

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Wibu-Systems, a security technology company, has supported the integration of its comprehensive CodeMeter licensing and security solution into ArtiMinds industrial robot programming software suite.

CodeMeter allows ArtiMinds Robotics, a German provider of sensor-based automation solutions, to protect their intellectual property while enabling them to monetize their software solutions with easy and flexible entitlement management based on different factors, such as user seats or robot-bound licenses.

ArtiMinds Robot Programming Suite combines online and offline programming with a unique approach to create complex robot programs without manually writing a single line of source code. [Read more…] about ArtiMinds boosts its robot programming solutions with Wibu-Systems security

B&R unveils new simulation tool for digital twin development

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B&R has integrated its “industrialPhysics” simulation tool into its Automation Studio engineering environment.

The company says the 3D simulation software greatly simplifies model-based machine development, enabling easier digital twin development.

B&R says developers can import CAD data from machine components or entire machines directly into the simulation tool, and then they can quickly and easily generate a digital twin for developing and testing the machine software. [Read more…] about B&R unveils new simulation tool for digital twin development

Controlling complexity: Powerful new tech tools are bringing lean manufacturing principles to life

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By Dan McKiernan, president of eFlex Systems

Lean manufacturing principles and practices aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing productivity, have been shaping the manufacturing sector for decades now.

The necessary end-goal for manufacturers is to ensure that products are built correctly, every time, even when changes are made in-process.

While this goal is nothing new, the rise of complexity and customization challenges presents a constant counterpressure against the continuing push for improved consistency and quality. [Read more…] about Controlling complexity: Powerful new tech tools are bringing lean manufacturing principles to life

ABB to electrify automated vehicles for new port in Singapore

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Powering zero-emission, autonomous container transportation with direct current charging infrastructure

ABB has won a contract from ST Engineering Land Systems to deliver and commission integrated smart charging points for automated guided vehicles (AGV) in the new Tuas port of Singapore.

Deliveries of the vehicles, which will be deployed to transport heavy shipping containers at the port terminal, are scheduled to begin from September 2020 through to August 2022.

The ABB chargers and supporting infrastructure are set to be installed towards the end of 2020. [Read more…] about ABB to electrify automated vehicles for new port in Singapore