Robotics & Automation News

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Realtime Robotics integrates robot motion planning and control software with Siemens Process Simulate

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Realtime Robotics, the leader in collision-free autonomous motion planning for industrial robots, today announced that it has teamed with Siemens to integrate its RapidPlan software with Siemens Process Simulate, in the company’s Tecnomatix portfolio.

This integration enables Siemens customers to utilize Realtime’s innovative robot motion planning and control software as a part of their regular workflow, without leaving Process Simulate.

Customers using the integration can easily visualize, prioritize and simulate robot task plans, and validate them through virtual commissioning. Support for servo weld guns has also been added. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics integrates robot motion planning and control software with Siemens Process Simulate

Interview: BlueBotics brings warehouse robotics experts to your screen

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BlueBotics has been around for 20 years. And in that time, it has become one of the leading providers of navigation technology for warehouse robots such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots. In doing so, the company has become something of a fount of knowledge about the subject, and thought it would provide that knowledge as an online resource through its newly created website ANTdriven.com.

In this interview, conducted by Abdul Montaqim, Robotics and Automation News speaks to Matt Wade, head of marketing for BlueBotics, about the ANTdriven.com resource as well as wider issues relating to the entire warehouse automation sector.

This interview is available in video form on our YouTube channel, and is embedded below. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. [Read more…] about Interview: BlueBotics brings warehouse robotics experts to your screen

Quest Industrial showcases robotic palletizing for dairy industry

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Quest Industrial has been showcasing the “numerous benefits” that its Box Bot Robotic Palletizer brings to the dairy industry at the recent CheeseExpo, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Quest is an award-winning, Fanuc Authorized system integrator and certified vision specialist, and its systems are capable of direct food contact with US Department of Agriculture compliant and washdown designs.

For many in the dairy industry, production can be challenging due to tight facilities with fixed equipment. This is where the Box Bot shines. [Read more…] about Quest Industrial showcases robotic palletizing for dairy industry

Murata expands AGV range, partners with AGVE Group

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Murata Machinery USA has expanded its logistics & automation product offerings with an extensive line of automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The A-Series adds seven standard base models to their existing Muratec Premex Series that are customizable for a wide range of load capacities, lift heights, navigation methods, temperature ratings, and software applications.

From their Charlotte headquarters, Murata Machinery will take over and lead all North American operations in partnership with the AGVE Group, directing day-to-day North American sales, installation, service, and marketing operations. [Read more…] about Murata expands AGV range, partners with AGVE Group

Opinion: How to double up grocery logistics productivity with autonomous mobile robots

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With growing labour availability issues, how can grocery logistics operations significantly boost performance? Vincent Jacquemart, CEO at French autonomous mobile robot designer and manufacturer iFollow, offers a solution.

Faced with the likelihood of long term staff shortages and resulting rises in pay rates, warehouse and distribution centre operators in grocery and many other sectors are turning sometimes belatedly to automation. This is certainly an option but not all solutions deliver really significant productivity improvements.

Labour shortages in logistics have been building for some years, by no means just because of Brexit, and the inability to fulfil orders reliably is becoming an existential threat for many firms.

Logistics UK in October claimed that “13 percent of traders are reporting severe warehouse staff shortages”; in November the Cold Chain Federation noted “10 percent to 20 percent shortage rates” among its members. [Read more…] about Opinion: How to double up grocery logistics productivity with autonomous mobile robots

Some useful tips on how to use a tubing bender

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Tubing benders are quite simple, and also a rather convenient tool that can provide consistent and accurate bends on a wide range of tubes, including steel tubes, copper tubes, and aluminum-based tubes.

There are many automated tube benders that can be electrically or hydraulically powered, as well. However, these machines are often bulky and may not be suitable for use in areas that do not have the appropriate power connections.

Manual tube and pipe benders are a good option in these cases, though. The majority of manual tubing benders can bend pipes and tubes up to 180 degrees at most. [Read more…] about Some useful tips on how to use a tubing bender

DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

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DHL Supply Chain has introduced its largest ever single implementation of autonomous forklifts to date, with 15 embedded in its warehouse operations at Tyrefort, United Kingdom.

The autonomous forklifts form part of DHL’s operation for a major customer in the automotive sector, taking over picking, put-away and replenishment of products and empty media in the warehouse. The vehicles reduce the number of manual pallet transfers without requiring significant changes in warehouse infrastructure.

The indoor robotics transporters work safely up to 11.5 metres high – believed to be a first in the logistics industry – easily reaching the highest warehousing racks to handle a range of pallets, stillages and waste cages. [Read more…] about DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

Medical robotics startup Clarapath raises $32 million in additional funding

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Clarapath, a robotics startup aimed at catalyzing change in the way pathology laboratories process human and animal tissues, has undertaken follow-on financing, extending its Series B round with an additional $15.5 million in funding, following the previous close of $16 million in Series B funding.

The round included The 4100 Group (the investment arm of Delta Dental), East Post Road Ventures (the investment arm of White Plains Hospital), Epiphron Capital, Northwell Ventures, P5 Health Ventures, and participation from other strategic organizations.

This brings the total raised to date by Clarapath to more than $38 million. [Read more…] about Medical robotics startup Clarapath raises $32 million in additional funding

Honeywell introduces new robotic technology to ‘help warehouses boost productivity, reduce injuries’

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Honeywell has unveiled its latest innovation in robotic technology designed to help warehouses and distribution centers automate the manual process of unloading pallets, reducing the operational risks of potential injuries and labor shortages.

Driven by sophisticated machine learning and advances in perception and gripping technologies, Honeywell’s Smart Flexible Depalletizer minimizes the need for manual labor to break down pallet loads – roles that carry risk of injury to labor, experience high turnover and are currently difficult to staff.

Driven by sophisticated machine learning and advances in perception and gripping technologies, Honeywell’s Smart Flexible Depalletizer minimizes the need for manual labor to break down pallet loads – roles that carry risk of injury to labor, experience high turnover and are currently difficult to staff. [Read more…] about Honeywell introduces new robotic technology to ‘help warehouses boost productivity, reduce injuries’

Flow Robotics brings its automated pipetting robot to North America

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Flow Robotics, a Denmark-based designer and producer of robots for automated liquid handling and the creator of the flowbot One, has established its North American subsidiary, with operations in Princeton, New Jersey. 

The company’s first product, the flowbot One, is designed to transform how liquid handling responsibilities are performed in the laboratory by automating manual pipetting tasks.

The robot will be showcased for the first time in the US at the SLAS 2021 Americas Sample Management Hybrid Symposium September 9-10 in La Jolla, California. [Read more…] about Flow Robotics brings its automated pipetting robot to North America