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Volkswagen orders ‘more than 700’ industrial robots from Kuka

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Kuka, the industrial robotics and automation specialist, and Volkswagen, one of Germany’s largest automotive groups, have signed a framework agreement for the delivery of more than 700 robots this year and over the next two years.

The robot models, including the Kuka bestseller KR Quantec, will be installed at Volkswagen Navarra in Pamplona, Northern Spain. There they will be used in body-in-white production. Volkswagen is investing further in European automobile production. [Read more…] about Volkswagen orders ‘more than 700’ industrial robots from Kuka

Kuka receives order for robotic work cells ‘in the double-digit million range’

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka is supplying 23 friction stir welding cells with integrated robots for the production of electric vehicles for an automotive customer.

The industrial automation specialist say it is the largest single order for robotic work cells in this area to date.

The Friction Stir Welding (FSW) cells with various technologies and Kuka KR Fortec robots are integrated into production lines for electric vehicles.

[Read more…] about Kuka receives order for robotic work cells ‘in the double-digit million range’

Kuka demonstrates mobile robots for harvesting apples

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Kuka and the Upper Bavarian startup company Digital Workbench Gmbh have launched a co-operation with the aim of developing a product for the agricultural sector: a mobile harvesting robot to support fruit farmers during the apple harvest.

Josef Schmidt, founder and managing director of Digital Workbench, says: “Both companies are contributing one of their most innovative new developments for automation in fruit growing to this cooperation.

“With Kuka, we have an absolute specialist with many years of experience and sophisticated know-how in the field of robotics at our side. The result is a practiceoriented collaboration that will provide us with many valuable insights for our next development steps with regard to automation in fruit growing. [Read more…] about Kuka demonstrates mobile robots for harvesting apples

Kuka says its augmented reality ‘makes new robots easier to start up’

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Kuka says its new Kuka.MixedReality software visualizes the environment of robot cells live on smartphones to “support fast, safe and intuitive robot start-up”.

The mobile app displays tools and interference geometries to enable early detection of potential hazards so users can eliminate them before a robot starts work.

Augmented Reality enables intuitive robot startup. It connects the real and virtual worlds to enrich the environment of the robotic cell with clear, uncomplicated digital information. [Read more…] about Kuka says its augmented reality ‘makes new robots easier to start up’

Kuka launches ‘dynamic, cost-effective and reliable’ new industrial robot

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Kuka says its new KR Fortec industrial robot delivers “great versatility in a small footprint”. With high dynamic performance, it achieves short cycle times – and its compact shape – makes it ideal for tasks such as handling and spot welding. The speedy KR Fortec tackles all this with low energy consumption.

The new KR Fortec is now available with an extended arm that handles loads of 240 kg across a reach of 3700 mm. Technically, this heavy-duty robot fits between the KR Quantec and KR Fortec ultra. Cross-model modularization ensures a high transmissibility of robot series components.

Maximilian Pettkuhn, portfolio manager at Kuka, says: “We developed the KR Fortec to achieve a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and to launch a resource-saving product on the market. The KR Fortec is up to 700 kg lighter than its predecessor.”

For customers, modularization means lower costs for spare part storage, he adds. [Read more…] about Kuka launches ‘dynamic, cost-effective and reliable’ new industrial robot

Meltio and One Off Robotics collaborate to ‘push the limits of robotic additive manufacturing’

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Meltio, a disruptive wire-laser metal deposition additive manufacturing technology leader, has agreed a technology collaboration with One Off Robotics, a specialist in robotic additive manufacturing.

The latest collaboration introduces the One Off Robotics Cell, a “turnkey metal additive manufacturing workcell” designed for a faster, more efficient, and reliable part production cycle.

The One Off Robotics Cell is a robotic metal additive system powered by Meltio’s Wire Laser Metal Deposition (W-LMD) technology. The system produces cost-effective, finely printed metal parts for applications in industries including automotive, aerospace, mining, oil and gas, and many others. [Read more…] about Meltio and One Off Robotics collaborate to ‘push the limits of robotic additive manufacturing’

How SMEs can benefit from used industrial robots

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SMEs are increasingly recognising the benefits of industrial robots, where user-friendliness and cost are key factors in their selection.

As major automobile manufacturers have long embraced extensive robotics, these robots regularly enter the second-hand machinery market. Purchasing used robots is a cost-efficient solution not only for SMEs.

The use of robotics, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), is shifting: while previously large companies, especially in the automotive industry, were the main users, interest is now rising among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). [Read more…] about How SMEs can benefit from used industrial robots

Europalco organises the first event employing Kuka robots

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Europalco, a provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe, delivered a memorable event using Kuka robots for the truck and bus manufacturer Fuso to unveil the new eCanter, a light truck 100 percent electric.

Prime Minister António Costa, Secretary of State for the Economy Pedro Cilínio, and company representatives were among the 150 guests.

Team4 relied on Europalco to organise the one-day event at Fuso’s manufacturing plant in Tramagal, Portugal. [Read more…] about Europalco organises the first event employing Kuka robots

Micropsi Industries makes its AI-powered robot controller hardware agnostic

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Micropsi Industries’ artificial intelligence-powered robot control software Mirai, which helps automate complex tasks too difficult or costly to automate with traditional programming, will soon be accessible for all robot users.

Previously compatible exclusively with Universal Robots and Fanuc robots, Mirai will be available for Kuka robots in early Q4, followed by other collaborative robots (cobots) and industrial robots as requested.

Using AI, Mirai generates robot movements directly and in real time. Robot skills (or specific tasks) are trained, not programmed, in a few days through human demonstration, without users needing programming or AI knowledge. [Read more…] about Micropsi Industries makes its AI-powered robot controller hardware agnostic

Europalco buys two robots from Kuka to add ‘wow factor’ to shows

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Europalco, a Portuguese company which claims to be “the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe”, has recently invested in two Kuka robots to “create differentiating events with a new ‘wow factor’” for its clients.

Europalco plans to use the Kuka KR210 robots in many ways, with LED walls, LCD, lasers, and even artists or people assisting the events. The robots can hold, move, or animate monitors or video screens. They can also be used to produce props and mobile stage designs. The range of applications is limitless.

The Kuka KR210 are fast, dynamic, and flexible to bring splendid effects to the stage and the event. Engineers can leverage the flexibility of robots to create fascinating static stage sets for performance. [Read more…] about Europalco buys two robots from Kuka to add ‘wow factor’ to shows