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The Future of Robotics in Large-Scale Clearing Operations

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Remote-controlled garbage bins used to glide through America’s most beloved theme parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World, encourage visitors to put trash inside of them, but the widespread usage of robotics in larger-scale cleaning operations, such as land clearance, is still on the horizon.

Large machinery, such as mulchers, backhoes, and bulldozers, is generally utilized to clear spaces for new developments, whether they are industrial, commercial, or residential.

The technology used in these large machines is evolving rapidly, so these big machines do provide impressive performance. However, when it comes to efficient, eco-conscious cleaning and clearing in the future, robotics will surely play a bigger role. [Read more…] about The Future of Robotics in Large-Scale Clearing Operations

Geodis implements Grenzebach AGV solutions for large warehouse operation

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Over the past year, Grenzebach and Geodis, a global supply chain operator, have been engaged in a joint project setting up a Grenzebach Goods-to-Person solution for a large consumer electronics customer.

The Goods-to-Person solution has been installed at Geodis’ Nashville, Tennessee campus. It features Grenzebach L600 automated guided vehicles, mobile storage units and picking stations as well as software.

The project has been run as a pilot program, designed to make the jobs of Geodis teammates easier, safer and more productive. Following the success of the pilot program, Geodis is now introducing Grenzebach AGV solutions to additional clients. [Read more…] about Geodis implements Grenzebach AGV solutions for large warehouse operation

Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?

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By Darrell Adams, head of Southeast Asia and Oceania, Universal Robots

For many ASEAN nations, manufacturing takes up a sizable chunk of the national GDP. For example, manufacturing in Singapore contributed 20.9 percent of Singapore’s GDP in 2019, according to the department of statistics Singapore.

Successful companies readily acknowledge one key factor contributing to their achievements – hardworking, committed and skilled employees who are the foundation of the companies.

However, manufacturers today face the primary challenge of filling open positions with skilled workers, which in turn affects overall productivity and growth. [Read more…] about Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?

AGCO to expand manufacturing facility in France with €40 million investment

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AGCO, an agricultural machinery giant, is to further expand its manufacturing site in Beauvais, France.

Martin Richenhagen, CEO of AGCO, made the announcement at the Choose France summit, led by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Richenhagen said: “We are delighted to keep our promise, made exactly one year ago at the Beauvais 3 Logistic Centre opening event, to announce the acquisition of the 15.7 hectares of the next door ex-Froneri Site, effective from 19th September 2019 to consolidate our presence in Beauvais. [Read more…] about AGCO to expand manufacturing facility in France with €40 million investment

Amazon Robotics building $40 million research and development center in Massachusetts

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Amazon is building a new Amazon Robotics innovation hub in Westborough, Massachusetts, creating 200 tech and advanced manufacturing jobs in the process.

Opening in 2021, the company plans to invest more than $40 million in the new site to allow Amazon Robotics to continue to grow its engineering, manufacturing, support and test teams in the state.

The new 350,000 square feet facility, developed by Atlantic Management of Framingham, Massachusetts, will feature corporate offices, research and development labs, and manufacturing space and will be in addition to Amazon Robotics’ current site in North Reading – together serving as the company’s “epicenter of robotics innovation”. [Read more…] about Amazon Robotics building $40 million research and development center in Massachusetts

Wynright aims to double sales after opening new $26 million manufacturing facility

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Wynright, a wholly-owned subsidiary of material handling giant Daifuku, says it aims to double sales after it opens its new $26 million manufacturing facility at the end of this year.

Wynright plans to expand its North American US manufacturing capabilities in the Greater Chicago area. The company will consolidate its existing factories in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and Oak Lawn, Illinois into a new, larger facility in Hobart, Indiana, in phases, by the end of December 2019.

In line with the completion of the new factory, the existing factories in Elk Grove and Oak Lawn in Illinois will close. Daifuku Wynright has offered all employees at both sites the opportunity to continue with the company at the new facility. More than 80 percent of current employees have confirmed their intention to do so. [Read more…] about Wynright aims to double sales after opening new $26 million manufacturing facility

Škoda opens new $200 million paint shop featuring 66 robots

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Škoda Auto has opened a new automotive paint shop at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, featuring 66 industrial robots configured for applying the paint.

Up to 168,000 car bodies will be coated with paint there each year, taking the plant’s total annual painting capacity up to 812,000 vehicles.

Škoda Auto has invested €214.5 million in the new building, creating more than 650 new jobs. (See infographic below.) [Read more…] about Škoda opens new $200 million paint shop featuring 66 robots

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’

When Automation Works Alongside Humans

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When we talk about automation, we often imagine a future in which everything we do will be almost entirely handled by machines. Cars will drive themselves. Management decisions will be handed over to an AI. Even the creative arts might one day be taken over by robots.

But for the time being, automation isn’t quite there. And so, some compromise between machine and human worker is needed. A synergy between the two has already yielded great results – just think about an autopilot guiding a plane for the majority of a flight, and human pilot intervening only for take-off and landing.

A more commonplace example of machine-assistance comes in the form of a spell-checker on a word-processing program. And these are getting more sophisticated. Apps like Grammarly and ProWritingAid not only identify grammatical or spelling errors; they now also identify more stylistic problems, and help us to make writing clearer and more concise, even when it isn’t technically wrong. [Read more…] about When Automation Works Alongside Humans

Volkswagen agrees digital transformation roadmap

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Volkswagen will be investing up to €4 billion in digitisation projects up until 2023 – mainly in administration but also in production. At least 2,000 new jobs related to digitisation are to be created.

This has been agreed by the Board of Management and the General Works Council in their “digital transformation roadmap”.

Agile working methods, improved processes and digitisation are to reduce the burden on employees and speed up processes. Tasks that used to be performed manually are to be simplified through improved IT.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen agrees digital transformation roadmap