Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

machine

More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

by

Today’s industrial robots must fit into smaller spaces, so as much “manufacturing real estate” as possible is dedicated to production. This places pressure on manufacturers to machine smaller, tighter components for these machines. Here, Harish Maniyoor, global product manager for automotive at the machine tooling specialist Sandvik Coromant explains why power skiving is the answer.

The overall number of industrial robots operating in factories worldwide grew to 2.7 million in 2019, according to the 2020 World Robotics Report by the International Federation of Robotics. 

This was a 12 percent increase from 2018 and a historic high. Robots factor into a range of industries, from automotive and aerospace to the food industry and pharmaceuticals – yet all of these sectors have common requirements.

Not only must these robots be smaller, but also lighter with reduced inertia and able to perform more exact movements with optimal speed and efficiency. The challenge is on for manufacturers to machine smaller and more precisely engineered-components – like internal gear reducers – with more flexible designs. [Read more…] about More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

OnRobot launches advanced new magnetic gripper for robots

by

OnRobot has launched the MG10, which it describes as “a versatile, high-performance, easy to use magnetic gripper” for material handling, assembly and machine tending applications in manufacturing, automotive and aerospace environments.

Fully compatible with all major robot brands through OnRobot’s One System Solution, the MG10 offers unique adjustable force and grip detection features that provide users with unprecedented levels of control.

Standard magnetic grippers only provide simple on/off functionality. To adjust the force applied, users have to add rubber ‘feet’ to create space between the magnet and the part. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches advanced new magnetic gripper for robots

Okuma unveils machining center that forms and finishes metal parts in ‘one setup’

by

Okuma has unveiled a new machining center that it says can form and finishes large metal parts and components in one setup.

The company says its MCR-S double column machining center “combines cutting-edge technology and process improvements to reduce cycle time by 25 percent”.

Okuma is one of the largest manufacturers of CNC machine tools, and says its MCR-S roughs and finishes press dies in one setup and is designed for heavy duty machining of process-intensive press dies. [Read more…] about Okuma unveils machining center that forms and finishes metal parts in ‘one setup’

Desmasa launches ‘mobile collaborative robot’

by

A Spanish automation technology company called Desmasa has launched what it describes as a “mobile collaborative robot”, or MCR. 

Essentially, the machine comprises what’s widely known as an autonomous mobile robot, or AMR, which is a wheeled robotic platform, and collaborative robotic arm integrated on top.

Although the machine uses two familiar type of robots, together, they form a new type of robot for which specific standards are being developed by the relevant industry associations. [Read more…] about Desmasa launches ‘mobile collaborative robot’

Agriculture robotics startup Future Acres looking to raise $3 million

by

Startup Future Acres is looking to raise $3 million to bring agricultural robotics to the farm industry in order to “optimize workforce efficiency”. 

The initiative to raise up to $3 million in seed capital is being organized through the equity crowdfunding site SeedInvest. The company is producing an autonomous, electric agricultural robotic harvest companion, named Carry, to help farmers gather hand-picked crops faster and with less physical demand.

At a time when farmers are tasked with producing more food than ever before to meet growing global population demands – predicted to get as high as 10 billion people by 2050 – limitations in labor and harvesting tools, in addition to environmental scrutiny, have prevented farmers from staying profitable and scaling their businesses. [Read more…] about Agriculture robotics startup Future Acres looking to raise $3 million

NuTec employs Epson cleanroom robots to automate medical syringe manufacturing

by

NuTec Tooling Systems, a developer of custom automation solutions, has built a syringe coating machine which integrates four Epson Robots Cleanroom SCARA robots for a pharmaceutical original equipment manufacturing.

The robots are employed at various stations within the machine to provide precise, efficient, and cost-effective automation to the customer’s syringe manufacturing process.

The concept phase of the project started in 2018, and the machine was ready for operation in November 2020, enabling the OEM to work with government agencies at a critical time to develop a cost-effective process for manufacturing mass quantities of syringes to use in the fight against Covid-19. [Read more…] about NuTec employs Epson cleanroom robots to automate medical syringe manufacturing

Device Fingerprinting Benefits for Business in 2021

by

Device fingerprinting is a relatively new “cookie-less” activity capture method that tracks your device OS, screen dimensions, fonts, clock, browser version, and other info for marketing purposes.

Unlike cookies, fingerprinting data isn’t stored on users’ devices, which means that it cannot be deleted that simply.

Device fingerprinting looks quite controversial for many users, but is there actually anything to be aware of or is it the next-gen user activity tracking method with lots of benefits for business? [Read more…] about Device Fingerprinting Benefits for Business in 2021

Universal Robots launches first virtual expo on automating machine tending with collaborative robots

by

Universal Robots will host its first virtual expo on automating machine tending tasks with collaborative robots.

The two-day Machine Tending Expo February 23-24 focuses on manufacturers looking for concrete insights on deploying cobots to tend machines such as CNC, press brakes, injection molding machines or 3D printers.

In live demos, keynotes and interactive booth sessions with exhibiting partners, Universal Robots offers solutions on how to seamlessly implement cobots, tackling the labor shortage, while improving crucial machine uptime. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches first virtual expo on automating machine tending with collaborative robots

DMG MORI showcases futuristic smart factory built around AGVs

by

DMG MORI is showcasing its futuristic smart factory. The company is said to be Germany’s largest manufacturer of cutting machine tools and a manufacturer of CNC-controlled lathes and milling machines.

DMG MORI says it has strengthened its Deckel Maho Pfronten location, in southern Germany. In the new, 4,000 sq m monoBLOCK Excellence Factory, DMG MORI is now producing up to 1,000 machine tools per year with a future-oriented assembly concept.

The heart of the “ultra-modern cycle assembly” is a driverless automated guided vehicles (AGV) transport system. The high process efficiency ensures maximum customer benefit. [Read more…] about DMG MORI showcases futuristic smart factory built around AGVs

Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

by

Okuma, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial equipment, has introduced “conversational programming” as standard on its CNC machines.

Okuma says its Advanced One Touch (AOT) conversational programming software enables shops to “easily create programs without the need for highly-trained programmers, achieve faster setup times, and increase machine productivity”.

Okuma America says that select machines from Okuma’s core product line now come equipped with the Advanced One Touch-Interactive Graphics Function (AOT-IGF), the conversational programming software designed for Okuma’s lathes, machining centers and multitasking machines. [Read more…] about Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines