Robotics & Automation News

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Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

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Software AG has launched an app to automate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) calculation for its Cumulocity IoT platform.

The new app will enable manufacturers of any size to collect and process key data as it’s created and quickly understand production effectiveness.

By monitoring production line availability, performance and quality, organizations can be more responsive to inefficiencies in their operations, enabling them to avert problems and capitalize on opportunities to be more effective. [Read more…] about Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

Project Business Automation: Large Manufacturers Learn to Integrate Disparate Systems

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Much attention has been paid to the small and mid-sized manufacturer. As local and regional job creators that attention has been well-deserved.

However, the reality is large manufacturers continue to represent a significant portion of jobs within the sector, and new solutions geared to their needs are among the most innovative and dynamic.

Project Business Automation (PBA) is a new category of business systems built specifically to support large project-based manufacturers from end-to-end. [Read more…] about Project Business Automation: Large Manufacturers Learn to Integrate Disparate Systems

Comau’s exoskeleton producing ‘significant, measurable benefits’ at Pintarelli

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Comau’s wearable exoskeleton with its news model, the MATE-XT, aims to satisfy the special needs of those working in harsh conditions in industry, other sectors and even outdoors.

Comau’s MATE exoskeleton is the first and still the only exoskeleton in the world to be EAWS (Ergonomic Assessment Work-Sheet) certified. This confirms its effectiveness in reducing the risk of biomechanical upper limb strain in workers whose daily activities involve repetitive flexion and extension of the arms.

MATE has become an indispensable aid for some of the operators at Pintarelli, who perform repetitive manual movements involving continuous use of the upper limbs and shoulders. Pintarelli Verniciature is based in Lavis in the province of Trento and employs around 30 people. [Read more…] about Comau’s exoskeleton producing ‘significant, measurable benefits’ at Pintarelli

TerraClear raises $25 million to commercialize Robotic Rock Picker

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TerraClear, an applied AI and robotics company, announced Series A funding of $25 million led by Madrona Venture Group, bringing the company’s total funding to $38 million. Rocks in fields break machinery, slow precision farming, and take up valuable time that modern farms do not have.

TerraClear’s Rock Picker picks an average of 400 rocks per hour and can pick up rocks of up to 300 pounds each.

In the past year, TerraClear has deployed early versions of their solution that both map and clear fields of rocks. These rocks not only break the backs of those picking them up, but break increasingly expensive precision machinery that is in common use by farmers for planting, irrigating and harvesting. [Read more…] about TerraClear raises $25 million to commercialize Robotic Rock Picker

Comau to develop new robotic systems with shipbuilder Fincantieri

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Shipbuilder Fincantieri and Comau Robotics, two Italian industrial giants in their respective markets, have signed a letter of intent to develop prototypes of robotized steel welding solutions and the resulting construction of series of machines, to be implemented at first in Fincantieri shipyards.

Paolo Carmassi, Comau CEO, and Fabio Gallia, Fincantieri general manager, signed the agreement.

The first joint project, of which the operating agreement is currently under way and related tests are scheduled at the Fincantieri shipyards by the first half of the year 2022, will involve a welding robot vehicle consisting of an anthropomorphic welding robot and a remote control tracked vehicle. [Read more…] about Comau to develop new robotic systems with shipbuilder Fincantieri

Organic wholesaler ‘doubles output’ with AutoStore and Swisslog warehouse automation

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A top wholesaler in the Swiss organic market, Bio Partner, has “doubled its output” following the implementation of innovative robotic logistics from Swisslog at its facility in Aargau, Switzerland, according to the company. 

Bio Partner supplies business customers in the organic specialist trade as well as the rest of the retail and food industry from its location in Seon, in Switzerland.

As a result of the merger with Somona, the warehouse reached its performance and capacity limits, and the wholesaler turned to a local partner with a global footprint to deliver an automated storage system. [Read more…] about Organic wholesaler ‘doubles output’ with AutoStore and Swisslog warehouse automation

Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

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Omron has released its new FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor, which can be mounted on a robot to recognize randomly placed bulk automotive parts in three dimensions, enabling space-saving assembly, inspection, and pick and place, which are difficult with conventional robots, and improving productivity.

Production workers are hard to come by these days, and labor costs have risen sharply, says Omron. Manufacturers are now facing intense pressure to automate processes that rely on the senses of experienced human workers.

Moreover, production workers now need to work harmoniously with machines to raise productivity amid the Covid-19 crisis. In particular, the automotive industry requires vision sensors as the eyes of robots that are indispensable for automation because it is difficult for machines to recognize positions and postures of various complex shaped parts. [Read more…] about Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

RB-KAIROS +: the best solution for Universal Robots e-Series users

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Collaborative Mobile Robots are one of the most important hits of Industry 4.0, where robots and humans operate together, each one providing its own particular strengths and complementing each other to achieve greater efficiency.

These robots are in charge of repetitive tasks and, on the other hand, the professionals of the industry have the creativeness and the solution-problems capabilities to obtain the maximum benefit of robotics, and achieve this objective.

RB-KAIROS + has been designed as a mobile solution to expand the possibilities of the e-Series Universal Robots arms and improve the efficiency of the production chain. [Read more…] about RB-KAIROS +: the best solution for Universal Robots e-Series users

Organic products wholesaler doubles output with AutoStore installed by Swisslog

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The leading wholesaler in the Swiss organic products market, Bio Partner, has doubled its output following the implementation of robotic logistics from Swisslog at its facility in Aargau, Switzerland.

Bio Partner supplies business customers in the organic specialist trade as well as the rest of the retail and food industry from its location in Seon.

As a result of the merger with Somona, the warehouse reached its performance and capacity limits, and the wholesaler turned to a local partner with a global footprint to deliver an automated storage system. [Read more…] about Organic products wholesaler doubles output with AutoStore installed by Swisslog

Airbus to develop ‘Moon Cruiser’ concept for ESA

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Aerospace giant Airbus has been awarded a CLTV (Cis-Lunar Transfer Vehicle) study for a “Moon Cruiser” by the European Space Agency (ESA).

According to the study concept (two parallel Phase A/B1), the CLTV is a versatile, autonomous logistics vehicle that could, for example, provide timely and efficient support to NASA and ESA in the implementation of the future Artemis Moon missions.

The spacecraft will be based on existing and proven technologies and will complement the multipurpose European Large Logistic Lander (EL3). [Read more…] about Airbus to develop ‘Moon Cruiser’ concept for ESA