Robotics & Automation News

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Promobot to ‘mass produce’ humanoid robots

Russian robotics company Promobot says it is launching “mass production of life-like robots that look like humans”.

Promobot is mainly known as a manufacturer of autonomous service robots and the new humanoid “Robo-C” is the first of its kind from the company.

Promobot calls the android “a robot companion”, and says Robo-C is “the world’s first humanoid android, which not only copies the appearance of a person, but is also able to integrate into a business environment”. [Read more…] about Promobot to ‘mass produce’ humanoid robots

SICK to showcase indoor localization technology that lets you know where all your machines are at all times

SICK is unveiling indoor localization technology which lets users know where all their machines are at all times.

The sensor supplier is planning to showcase the system at the Pack Expo Las Vegas later this month.

SICK says it has taken another step toward Industry 4.0 by offering a new, comprehensive indoor localization portfolio. [Read more…] about SICK to showcase indoor localization technology that lets you know where all your machines are at all times

Apacer launches ‘first’ memory module to meet specific aviation standard

Apacer, a manufacturer of industrial-grade memory, has released the XR-DIMM.

The company says the new rugged memory module is the first on the market to meet the standards of the US RTCA DO-160G test, an aviation equipment certification that marks the XR-DIMM as resistant to high levels of vibration and therefore “ideal for defense and aeronautical applications”.

Since 2018, Apacer has been manufacturing DDR4 XR-DIMM modules with rugged stability in mind. [Read more…] about Apacer launches ‘first’ memory module to meet specific aviation standard

Hanwha Aerospace acquires US aircraft engine component manufacturer

Hanwha Aerospace has signed a deal to fully acquire EDAC Technologies, an American aircraft engine component manufacturer. The deal is expected to be worth around USD 300 million, which will be finalised once negotiations are completed.

The Korean company made a preliminary bid for EDAC Technologies in April of 2019 and entered a period of due diligence before making a final offer.

EDAC Technologies is an aircraft engine component manufacturer based in Connecticut, with a workforce of 590 people. It recorded USD 150 million in revenue in 2018.

[Read more…] about Hanwha Aerospace acquires US aircraft engine component manufacturer

CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

CP Technologies, a provider of ruggedized computers, is claiming to have become the “first” rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration. 

The company’s president and CEO, Mike McCormack, gave Robotics and Automation News an interview some time before the latest development in which he explained that the company’s background in the military is useful for the industrial and commercial markets. (See video below.)

For over 20 years, CP Technologies – formerly Chassis Plans – has been designing and manufacturing computers, servers, LCD displays, storage arrays, and human interface devices to defense and industrial customers. [Read more…] about CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8

iphones

Foxconn is to produce 95 per cent of the new Apple iPhone, the eighth incarnation of the device, according to a report on PatentlyApple.com. 

It’s not clear from the story whether any of the production will take place in the US, although that’s unlikely given that Foxconn hasn’t even chosen where in the US to expand its manufacturing operations.

The Taiwanese manufacturer has been considering its options, and Michigan is said to be one of the locations being scouted.  [Read more…] about Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8

Got milk? How a Swiss company builds filling and packaging systems for milk, coffee and other products

Scaled technology and functioning interfaces are essential for Swiss Can Machinery, which is why the company’s filling and packaging systems have a modular design throughout, and why it uses a product program with a scaled structure for the drive technology. 

The filling and packaging systems at Swiss Can Machinery – which was established by brothers Marc and Michael Grabher – shows how this objective can be achieved.

The company turns to stainless steel motors for the actuators; for example, when these systems are used for filling and packaging pharmaceutical products.  [Read more…] about Got milk? How a Swiss company builds filling and packaging systems for milk, coffee and other products

Nidec says demand for robot parts has grown by seven times

Nidec factory
Nidec will add equipment to increase production of speed reducers. Picture: Nikkei

Nidec, a Japanese electric motor manufacturer, says demand for its speed reducers has grown seven-fold. 

The increase in orders has led the company to invest an additional $36 million in new equipment at its factory – operated by subsidiary Nidec-Shimpo – to produce more of the component.

Speed reducers are a core part in robots, and are used to control robotic limbs and give them power.  [Read more…] about Nidec says demand for robot parts has grown by seven times

Mecademic showcases ‘world’s smallest, most accurate’ 6-axis robot

mecademic Meca500

A company called Mecademic is showcasing what it claims is the world’s smallest and most accurate six-axis robot. 

The Meca500 is small enough to fit into a briefcase and its makers claim that the tiny robotic arm has a repeatability of just 5 microns, or 5 millionths of a metre.

The Montreal, Canada-based Mecademic was founded by Jonathan Coulombe, who is the CEO. His co-founder was Ilian Bonev (pictured, with one of the company’s tiny robots).  [Read more…] about Mecademic showcases ‘world’s smallest, most accurate’ 6-axis robot