Robotics & Automation News

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Automating cricket ball production: Global cricket ball manufacturer uses automation with a vision system for efficiency and upskilling

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Under the laws of cricket, it is illegal for players to rub any substance other than saliva and sweat onto the ball, let alone scuffing it with their fingernails. Similarly, strict rules apply to the manufacturing of cricket balls.

Here’s how cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra designed its first ever machine tending robotic system to produce the perfect ball, with the help of industrial robot supplier, TM Robotics and MAP Services, Australian partner for TM Robotics and Shibaura Machine.

Machine tending is repetitive work. The job of loading and unloading machines with parts or materials are usually done by humans. In the production of cricket balls, workers would place covers – the outside leather of cricket balls – onto trays after being pressed into shape to form half of a cricket ball. These trays are then placed into a rack and moved to the next process – trimming excess leather from the pressed cover. [Read more…] about Automating cricket ball production: Global cricket ball manufacturer uses automation with a vision system for efficiency and upskilling

Kärcher and Brain Corp debut industry’s ‘first professional robotic vacuum’

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Brain Corp, a provider of software for industrial floor cleaning robots, has launched its “first professional autonomous vacuum cleaner”, the Kira CV 60/1.

The new machine is a joint development with Kärcher, one of the world’s leading providers of cleaning technology.

The two companies say the Kira device is built to help businesses clean smarter than ever before, the autonomous vacuum is the first robotic machine released in partnership between Brain Corp and Kärcher. [Read more…] about Kärcher and Brain Corp debut industry’s ‘first professional robotic vacuum’

Tennant’s robotic cleaning machines give Glad Group a winning edge

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Building services contractors are strengthening their cleaning capabilities in the retail sector, among others, with ever-improving robotics technology.

At a time when hygiene, efficiency and the smart use of labour have never been more important in the building services space, the case for robotic cleaning machines is clear.

Robotic floor scrubbers, in particular, are increasingly in demand. Widely used in American retail chains such as Walmart, there is growing interest in Australia for the autonomous solutions in shopping centres, commercial offices and industrial sites.

“We’re experiencing a lot of interest from the retail space, especially,” says Dave Miller, national head of strategic accounts at Tennant. “Robotics had a foray into the Australian market about four years ago, but the machines weren’t where they needed to be. Now Tennant has come into the market a little later but with machines that can do the job.” [Read more…] about Tennant’s robotic cleaning machines give Glad Group a winning edge

Door locking systems manufacturer turns to Delta for machine vision robotic solution

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Metal LS, a Bulgarian manufacturer of door locking systems, door and window handles and building hardware, started planning the new automated assembly of door locks in 2019.

The robotic systems that the company already used for other applications were too large for the planned production site, so the new solutions needed to be as compact and precise as possible, in addition to being state of the art.

Door and security locks are precision parts with standard dimensions and components stipulated in DIN standards. Therefore, quality and precision were especially important deciding factors for Metal LS. [Read more…] about Door locking systems manufacturer turns to Delta for machine vision robotic solution

Stanley Engineered Fastening achieves automated quality inspection with Universal Robots

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Universal Robots, the world’s leading collaborative robot provider, says Stanley Engineered Fastening has successfully introduced robotic quality inspection using its collaborative robots.

15 UR3e cobots act as key components in its brand-new cells for Breakstem autonomous manufacture which have reduced product costs by approximately 10 percent and shortened lead times by up to 70 percent.

They are producing approximately 350 million fasteners per annum from across the company’s product range. [Read more…] about Stanley Engineered Fastening achieves automated quality inspection with Universal Robots

Trio Motion Technology launches new SCARA robots

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The motion-first automation control manufacturer, Trio Motion Technology, has launched a robot range that provides machine builders with a fully integrated control solution.

The company says its robots give manufacturers high performance robot control, motion control, and machine automation from a single controller.

Trio’s new robot range will speed up development time and increase reliability for machine applications that require robotic integration. [Read more…] about Trio Motion Technology launches new SCARA robots

New Honeywell warehouse automation technology allows sites to maximize storage and increase order fulfillment

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Honeywell has launched its latest solution in intelligent automated handling designed to help warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing sites receive, process and fill orders faster and more accurately while potentially reducing storage footprint.

Honeywell’s next-generation Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to allow warehouse and distribution center operators to better keep up with unprecedented ecommerce growth.

Ben Cardwell, president of Honeywell Intelligrated, says: “The rapidly evolving retail market is pushing distribution centers to find and use innovative, flexible and automated approaches to e-commerce order fulfillment. Growing inventories, the rising cost of land and other pressures are pushing operations to make the most efficient use of available space. [Read more…] about New Honeywell warehouse automation technology allows sites to maximize storage and increase order fulfillment

Tennant launches ‘industry’s first’ robotic floor scrubber for large spaces

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Tennant Company, a company which designs and manufactures industrial cleaning systems, is launching its newest and largest autonomous floor cleaning machine, the T16AMR Robotic Floor Scrubber.

This industrial-grade autonomous scrubber is “ideal for larger facilities”, says the company, adding that it is the first of its kind.

Featuring a wider scrub path and higher tank capacity, it allows for consistent, efficient cleaning while reducing total cost of ownership. This is the third AMR in Tennant’s lineup and the industry’s first AMR built on an industrial scrubber platform. [Read more…] about Tennant launches ‘industry’s first’ robotic floor scrubber for large spaces

ABB launches FlexLoader M range to ‘bring the power of modularity to machine tending’

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ABB has launched a new range of modular machine tending application cells for the metals industry aimed at maximizing flexibility and machine utilization while minimizing lost productivity caused by unforeseen production stoppages.

Featuring six different versions, the FlexLoader M family offers a variety of ways of loading and unloading machines based on the size, shapes and amount of the workpieces being handled, making it ideal for applications such as foundries and die casting operations producing multiple types of products in varying quantities.

Andrea Cassoni, managing director for business line general industry for ABB Robotics, says: “As customers demand greater variety and shorter delivery times, metals producers need to have a manufacturing process that can respond quickly and offer the flexibility to achieve high mix, low volume and batch size one production. [Read more…] about ABB launches FlexLoader M range to ‘bring the power of modularity to machine tending’

Ideal Working Environments for Robots with item

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Networking, researching, and training – the Mehnert Lab in Erfurt sees itself as a platform for industrial cooperation in the age of Industry 4.0.

Mehnert GmbH provides skilled workers and specialists for various projects in the fields of electronics, mechanics, digital control, 3D measurement technology, and robotics. The company employs 55 permanent staff members, headquartered in Mülsen but also represented in Erfurt.

The globally-deployed team is focused on the construction, maintenance, and servicing of modern industrial plants. A few years ago, Managing Director René Mehnert founded the Mehnert Lab in Erfurt. It facilitates a new form of industrial collaboration and creates the perfect working environment to provide specialists with the best possible qualifications. [Read more…] about Ideal Working Environments for Robots with item