lines

RIOS raises $5 million to launch robots with ‘human-level dexterity’

July 1, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

RIOS, a developer of dexterous AI-powered robots for automating assembly lines, has come out of stealth mode and raised $5 million in venture funding.

RIOS, which spun out of Stanford University and was founded by former Xerox PARC engineers, helps customers automate their factories, warehouses, and supply chain operations by installing what it describes as a “new class of highly-dexterous robots” that handle hard-to-automate tasks in unstructured environments.

RIOS not only automates individual lines, but also builds “lights out” factories by partnering with its network of systems integrators. [Read more…] about RIOS raises $5 million to launch robots with ‘human-level dexterity’

Kuka to supply 50 robots for production lines for e-mobility provider

May 14, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Industrial automation specialist Kuka is to supply approximately 50 robots for the production lines of an e-mobility provider.

Kuka system partner SAR Elektronic is building five fully-automated production and inspection lines for a leading German automotive supplier.

The lines will be equipped with the 50 Kuka robots for “fully-automated handling, plasma cleaning and bonding processes, and an integrated functional inspection”, says the company. [Read more…] about Kuka to supply 50 robots for production lines for e-mobility provider

Kuka gains three new orders for assembly line conversions

April 27, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Kuka Systems has won three new orders for assembly line conversions.

The automation specialist says that converting existing assembly lines is “time-critical and requires significant experience in systems engineering”.

Within the scope of two new orders, Kuka says it is leveraging its “comprehensive expertise to provide support in the quick and efficient conversion of plants”. [Read more…] about Kuka gains three new orders for assembly line conversions

Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

April 9, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Automation technology is playing a critical role helping safeguard people and processes during the global coronavirus crisis, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

A3 is a US industrial association representing members in robotics, vision and imaging, motion control and motors, artificial intelligence and related automation technologies who are now part of the large ecosystem taking part in the battle against Covid-19.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “These critical automation technologies are keeping people safe, helping develop new medicines and treatments, producing key products people need today, and filling other essential roles. [Read more…] about Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

THine introduces 4Gbps low voltage differential transceiver IC

February 4, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

THine, the leader in high-speed serial interfaces and image signal processing, has introduced the high-volume availability of their new GPIO / LVCMOS transceiver IC, THCS251.

This new IC allows engineers to aggregate up to 37 lines of different data rates into just 4 lines that can be received and transmitted in the same IC.

With the THCS251, manufacturers can lower cost, reduce size, and improve reliability by utilizing simplified and smaller hinges/slip rings in their product implementations. [Read more…] about THine introduces 4Gbps low voltage differential transceiver IC

Omron, NTT, and Nokia partner to test 5G networks at manufacturing sites

September 20, 2019 by Mai Tao

Omron, NTT Docomo, and Nokia have agreed to jointly conduct trials utilizing the fifth-generation mobile communications system in factories and other manufacturing sites.

Through these trials, the three companies will jointly evaluate the usefulness and possibilities of 5G’s high-speed, large-capacity, low-latency, and simultaneous multiple connections with the aim of solving the challenges facing the manufacturing industry and developing communications technology required in manufacturing sites of the future.

In the manufacturing industry, the demand for wireless communications is increasing as efforts aimed at improving productivity through the use of IoT data make progress in dealing with various issues, such as a shortage of skilled workers and high-mix low-volume production. [Read more…] about Omron, NTT, and Nokia partner to test 5G networks at manufacturing sites

ABB launches new version of robotic picking software Pickmaster

September 17, 2019 by Sam Francis

ABB has launched the new version of its robotic picking software Pickmaster, which now feature “digital twin technology” to reduce commissioning times.

The product was introduced today at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai. It will be on display next week at Pack Expo in Las Vegas at the ABB Robotics booth C-2051.

The company says the system is now capable of achieving picking times that are “15 percent faster”, enabling it to increases output and total line efficiency by 40 percent.

ABB Robotics says PickMaster is the market-leading robotic software for vision-guided random flow picking and packing applications for the digital factory of the future. [Read more…] about ABB launches new version of robotic picking software Pickmaster

SEAT invests €57 million in its factory in Barcelona

August 14, 2019 by David Edwards

SEAT has invested €57 million in a new metal press and two new hot stamping lines for its factory in Barcelona.

The new PXL press installed in SEAT Barcelona involved an investment of just over €31 million and it will boost the productivity of this metal press compared to the previous ones thanks to greater automation and manufacturing speed, as well as an advanced robot system.

A little over €25 million was also invested in two new hot stamping lines that will also help increase efficiency, speed and precision in the production process. [Read more…] about SEAT invests €57 million in its factory in Barcelona

Omron releases full metal proximity sensor for auto industry

July 3, 2019 by Anna

Omron Corporation has launched the E2EW Series of Full Metal Proximity Sensors, which have the world’s longest sensing distances, the company claims.

The automotive industry needs lighter automobiles, for electric vehicles and low fuel consumption, encouraging the material change in automotive components from iron to aluminium.

This will increase mixed production lines containing iron and aluminium. Full metal proximity sensors are mainly used in welding processes. However, previous full metal proximity sensors have short sensing distances.

Bright Machines launches ‘first software-defined microfactory’

June 27, 2019 by Sam Francis

Bright Machines has launched what it says the “first software-defined microfactory”.

The term “software-defined” is often used in computer networking and implies that a system is less dependent on specific – perhaps expensive – hardware and more defined by the software.

Bright Machines says it is delivering its vision of integrating software and artificial intelligence into every phase of the manufacturing cycle with the introduction of Bright “Microfactories”. [Read more…] about Bright Machines launches ‘first software-defined microfactory’