Robotics & Automation News

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Rollon unveils new robot transfer system

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Rollon, a specialist developer of linear motion solutions, has launched its new Cobot Transfer Unit (CTU), designed to push the boundaries of collaborative robot applications.

With a series of key enhancements, the latest CTU model offers improved flexibility, easier integration, and increased performance, making it the ideal solution for automation processes requiring extended reach.

The new CTU introduces a range of updates aimed at simplifying installation and maximizing efficiency. A transition to a new motor helps ensure reduced lead times, as it is readily available in stock. Additionally, the adoption of a 220V power supply – matching the voltage of Universal Robots – eliminates the need for industrial voltage, simplifying integration and reducing electrical complexities. [Read more…] about Rollon unveils new robot transfer system

Güdel to showcase linear motion tech for robots at FabTech

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Adding linear motion to articulated robots is now a widely adopted solution to extend flexibility and work envelopes.

But these benefits only apply if the robot runs smoothly on a track that in many production environments will be exposed to dust, soot, abrasives and fine contaminants, which can cause the track’s roller bearings to stop rotating, leading to malfunction and robot downtime.

At FabTech booth W5029, Güdel will showcase its “cam follower advantage”. A cam follower is Güdel’s cylindrical roller bearing mounted on a stud that rides on the guide rail, providing significantly increased resilience to harsh industrial environments compared with traditional profile guides commonly used in 7th axis tracks. [Read more…] about Güdel to showcase linear motion tech for robots at FabTech

Thomson moves Swedish manufacturing operations to larger facility to ‘make room for continued business growth’

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Thomson Industries, a provider of linear motion control solutions, is moving its Kristianstad, Sweden, operations into a larger space to meet what it says is “growing demand” for its motion control technology.

The Kristianstad plant has been a steadily growing supplier of Thomson electric linear actuators and linear motion systems to European customers and is on track for further growth. The new facility is larger, more advanced and will effectively support future business growth.

Peter Swahn, site manager, Thomson Industries, says: “Strict adherence to safety, quality, delivery, inventory management and productivity excellence has fuelled our success, so much so that we have outgrown our facilities. [Read more…] about Thomson moves Swedish manufacturing operations to larger facility to ‘make room for continued business growth’

SICK launches new linear encoder for industrial applications

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SICK has launched a new linear encoder product family for high-precision detection of piston positions in hydraulic cylinders and the monitoring of linear movements in machines. The DAX linear encoder product family provides flexibility for countless industrial applications.

The product family offers three designs to suit these applications, all with industry-appropriate measuring ranges. An Online Configurator provides step-by-step assistance to users in selecting a suitable DAX.

For applications with special requirements, the smart and flexible system architecture of the product family allows for tailored and efficient customization. [Read more…] about SICK launches new linear encoder for industrial applications

Specifying a Linear Actuator: 3 Key Factors

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By Japh Humphries, UK Sales & Commercial Manager, Matara UK

Linear motion systems are business critical across an extensive range of industries, from food processing plants, to semiconductor manufacturers and packaging producers to name but a few.

In fact, virtually anywhere that requires loads to be cost-effectively moved in a straight line, safely, securely and precisely.

These systems have improved automation whilst simultaneously lowering production costs, making them invaluable. [Read more…] about Specifying a Linear Actuator: 3 Key Factors

Timken acquires automation solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions

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The Timken Company, a maker of engineered bearings and power transmission products, has acquired Intelligent Machine Solutions, a builder of industrial robotics and automation solutions.

The addition of iMS expands and complements Timken’s Rollon linear motion product range with larger and heavy-duty applications, such as seventh-axis robotic transfer units (RTUs) and gantry systems.

iMS, which was founded in 2008, is based in Norton Shores, Michigan, in the United States. The company, which has approximately 20 employees, designs and manufactures floor-mounted, overhead, rotary and extreme seventh-axis RTUs and gantry systems used by manufacturers across industries to automate certain production processes. [Read more…] about Timken acquires automation solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions

ABB unveils new ‘compact’ robotic interior painting system

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ABB has unveiled a new “compact” robotic interior painting system, mainly aimed at the automotive manufacturing sector.

The Compact Interior Painting station enables automotive manufacturers to reduce the size of their vehicle interior painting stations by one-third, while saving costs and making automotive paint facilities more sustainable.

ABB says its latest innovative solution for automotive manufacturing – the Compact Interior Paint station – combines 12 robots to offer a space-saving alternative to traditional robotic interior painting solutions, helping automotive original equipment manufacturers reduce the footprint of their paint booths “by up to 33 percent”, while being able to paint a variety of vehicle types, from cars and SUVs to large MPVs. [Read more…] about ABB unveils new ‘compact’ robotic interior painting system

SICK launches new product for contactless measurement of speed and length

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SICK Sensor Intelligence has launched a new system for contactless measurement of speed and length.

With the SPEETEC sensor solution, SICK says it is expanding its product range for speed and length measurement of objects moving in a linear path to include technology that measures directly on the material surface.

The non-contact sensor is able to measure a wide range of web and continuous materials, as well as blanks with an accuracy of just 4 µm. [Read more…] about SICK launches new product for contactless measurement of speed and length

Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

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Download our new white paper, Smart Factory: Material Handing in the Factory of the Future

The way manufacturers set up their production lines hasn’t fundamentally changed much in decades. For example, automakers use a linear assembly line where the bodies of cars are sometimes suspended above a linear production line and moved along slowly as robots or workers perform various tasks all the way along the line.

This method has been the main method of assembly for around a century, but autonomous mobile robots are now challenging this status quo.

Instead of using what could be described as an ground-based or overhead conveyor to move the cars along the assembly line, autonomous mobile robots could carry them along instead. [Read more…] about Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

Geek+ Robotics provides innovation insights at technical forum on sidelines of IMHX

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Geek+ Robotics, the world’s leading supplier of warehouse robots, has been providing technical insights into its latest innovations at a forum on the sidelines of IMHX, the ongoing intralogistics technology show being held in the UK.

Senior executives from Geek+, which has sold more than 7,000 warehouse robots since its inception five years ago, presented a variety of solutions that will add completely new functionalities to its current offerings.

Some of the ideas are still at the idea stage, while others are being developed in partnership with clients in the logistics and manufacturing industries. [Read more…] about Geek+ Robotics provides innovation insights at technical forum on sidelines of IMHX