Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

manufacturers

Harting and Heilind Electronics enter into global partnership

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The Harting Technology Group and US company Heilind Electronics have entered into a global partnership. The agreement was signed at the “electronica” trade fair in Munich.

Heilind is a leading distributor of connectors and electromechanical components. Featuring over 170 manufacturers, including most leading connector manufacturers, Heilind boasts an extensive product portfolio.

With Heilind, Harting would like to continue the already successful partnership in North America now also in other countries worldwide.

[Read more…] about Harting and Heilind Electronics enter into global partnership

Sensors supplier Sick selected as Top 50 robotics company

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Sick, the sensor specialist, has been named a Top 50 Robotics Company by the Robotics Business Review.

The RBR50 is an annual list of the 50 most innovative and transformative robotics companies that have achieved commercial success in the past year.

Sick provides sensor technology for a number of robotics applications, including navigation for mobile platforms. [Read more…] about Sensors supplier Sick selected as Top 50 robotics company

Super Micro to avoid Chinese components amid US-China trade war

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Super Micro Computer, one of the world’s largest server manufacturers, has decided to avoid using components manufactured in China, according to a report on Nikkei.

Nikkei reports that Super Micro has instructed its suppliers to move production out of China.

Super Micro says the move is a consequence of the trade dispute between the US and China, in which security concerns raised by the US have also affected other Chinese companies such as Huawei.

[Read more…] about Super Micro to avoid Chinese components amid US-China trade war

Food manufacturers are turning to robots to meet customers’ needs, says ING report

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The importance of technology for food manufacturers continues to grow, according to a new ING report, Food tech: technology in the food industry.

The research report revealed the use of robots in the European food industry is becoming more commonplace, with a 50 per cent increase in the sale of robots to the food industry over the last five years.

The research also uncovered the growing demands from retailers and consumers is having an impact on the uptake of technologies like robotics in the industry. [Read more…] about Food manufacturers are turning to robots to meet customers’ needs, says ING report

Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

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By Thomas Knudsen, general manager Northern Europe, OnRobot

Within a diverse and innovative sector like the manufacturing industry, flexibility is key.

Robotics, a key enabler of this, has already taken this industry by storm, allowing factories worldwide to automate more and more tasks, cutting costs and increasing productivity.

However, simple automation is no longer enough. Manufacturers now require unique automation solutions for each specific production environment, to tackle the talent shortage they are facing, but can’t redesign facilities for every different process and application.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

From two months to a few seconds: A brief overview of automotive robotic painting systems

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Painting was one of the first applications for industrial robots, but it didn’t start well. 

When they were first introduced in the 1980s at General Motors’ Michigan plant, the robots initially painted each other, according to an article on industrial robot history, published on Robots.com.

The complexity of painting is probably under-estimated because humans can do such tasks with relative ease.  [Read more…] about From two months to a few seconds: A brief overview of automotive robotic painting systems

Manufacturer adoption of collaborative robots is strong and growing, says report

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New distribution channels and market entrants are expanding availability 

A recent technology survey by ABI Research of management level decision makers at manufacturing companies revealed that the adoption of collaborative robots among manufacturers is strong and ongoing.

A full 13 per cent of the companies surveyed have collaborative systems currently in operation, a significant percentage especially given that commercial class systems only became readily available beginning in 2014.

Another 15 per cent indicated that they expect to have collaborative robots at work within the next 12 months, adds the industry survey, entitle Transformative Technology Adoption and Attitudes – Robotics.  [Read more…] about Manufacturer adoption of collaborative robots is strong and growing, says report

Rethink Robotics signs up nine new distribution partners in Europe and the US

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rethink-robotics-baxter

Rethink Robotics has signed deals with nine distribution partners throughout the United States and Europe to extend the availability of its smart, collaborative robots.

With an extensive network throughout the world – including partners in the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, China, Korea, Japan, Mexico and Australia – these distribution deals are part of Rethink’s efforts to meet growing demand across the globe, bringing flexible automation to the global manufacturing market.

With the launch of the Intera 5 software platform and ClickSmart family of gripper kits earlier this year, Rethink says it now offers a complete range of products and services to “help manufacturers around the world improve productivity“.  [Read more…] about Rethink Robotics signs up nine new distribution partners in Europe and the US

US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence

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The manufacturing sector is experiencing a dramatic turnaround in business, according to figures released by the White House. 

President Donald Trump has consistently said he wants the manufacturing sector to grow and has personally intervened to persuade many large manufacturing companies to consider relocating or expanding their operations in the US.

However, the vast majority of manufacturing companies in the US are small businesses, of less than 100 people.  [Read more…] about US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence

Robotiq releases updated version of its collaborative robots ebook

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robotiq cobot ebook

Robotiq has updated what it says is one of its “most read” ebooks, and has made it downloadable for free.

This is the seventh update of Robotiq’s Collaborative Robots Buyer’s Guide, and it’s available free at the company’s website.

Robotiq says the guide provides a clear view of what’s available, so manufacturers who are thinking about adding a robot to their production floor, as well as those who plan on expanding automation in their factory, will see which model of collaborative would best fit their requirements.  [Read more…] about Robotiq releases updated version of its collaborative robots ebook