Robotics & Automation News

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Opinion: A coronavirus-induced acceleration of robotics and automation is happening in China

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By Gao Feng Advisory

A coronavirus-induced acceleration of robotics and automation appears to be taking place in China. There are a number of forces driving this catalysis in automation technologies. 

Firstly, the Chinese government and its policies are playing a central role. This will be particularly reflected in the unprecedented spending on “new infrastructure” as a response to the pandemic.

Secondly, the technologies and related-industries targeted by the government’s new infrastructure agenda are critical components. [Read more…] about Opinion: A coronavirus-induced acceleration of robotics and automation is happening in China

Desperate Chinese manufacturers resorting to ‘street vendor’ tactics

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Desperate Chinese manufacturers are resorting to “street vendor” tactics in order to survive amid the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In the past, street vendors were targeted by the police and Communist government and shut down wherever they were found, even if they were licensed.

The thinking was that street vendors were a blight on urban landscapes and hampered regeneration programmes. [Read more…] about Desperate Chinese manufacturers resorting to ‘street vendor’ tactics

Important 2020 Trend: Price Alignment Automation

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Automation solutions have been adapted and adjusted promoting the ease of setting and managing pricing boundaries for manufacturers.

When corporate objectives include rapidly and repeatedly adjusting prices at the most granular level, automation must be designed to alleviate the pain by using simple rules to derive prices.

Previously, most industrial business decision-makers feared an extensive implementation time, complexity, and significant costs for pricing technology. [Read more…] about Important 2020 Trend: Price Alignment Automation

Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Autonomously driven forklifts, whether in distribution centers, manufacturing, or some hybrid, are much more cost-effective than manned forklifts for extremely repetitive processes.

They can be integrated into continuous round-the-clock operations covering several shifts. Self-controlling these trucks can coordinate perfectly in terms of routing and speed. This enables material flows to maintain optimal levels and the energy consumption is kept to a minimum.

The additional benefit reported by facilities managers includes substantially less damage to shelving, loads, pallets, and other trucks, as they navigate more accurately and safely than manned forklifts. [Read more…] about Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts

Epson Robots signs Olympus Controls as distributor

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Epson Robots has signed Olympus Controls, an engineering services provider specializing in the integration of motion control, machine vision, and robotic technologies, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation products.

As factory automation projects become increasingly complex, strong collaboration between distributors and robot vendors is essential.

Olympus Controls’ decades of engineering expertise and deep industry knowledge, combined with Epson Robots’ reputation for easy-to-use, proven, innovative technology, will help manufacturers reach today’s challenging factory automation objectives. [Read more…] about Epson Robots signs Olympus Controls as distributor

Universal Robots partners with Phillips Machine Tools India

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Universal Robots is extending its American partnership with Phillips Corporation to India, joining hands with the largest global distributor of best-selling Haas CNC machines for Indian manufacturers to boost productivity.

In an effort to boost productivity and help manufacturers emerge from the pandemic Universal Robots (UR) joins hands with Phillips Machine Tools India, part of Phillips Corporation, the world’s largest Haas factory outlet.

Together, they are all set to offer machine shops a safe, user-friendly solution to optimize uptime and enable significant advantages to manufacturers in India. [Read more…] about Universal Robots partners with Phillips Machine Tools India

Realtime Robotics partners with Siemens to simplify integration of robotic workcells

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Realtime Robotics is partnering with Siemens to simplify the integration of robotic workcells into industrial facilities. (See video below.)

Realtime Robotics, which specialises in autonomous motion planning for industrial robots, says the initiative is part of its strategic partnership with Siemens Digital Industries Software division.

Realtime’s technology is being seamlessly integrated into the Tecnomatix portfolio, simplifying robot programming and workcell coordination by automating motion programming. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics partners with Siemens to simplify integration of robotic workcells

OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

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OnRobot, the maker of tools for collaborative robots, has released a screwdriver end-effector for collaborative robots. (See video below.)

OnRobot says its “smart, complete-out-of-the-box” Screwdriver allows manufacturers to automate a wide range of assembly processes quickly, easily, and flexibly.

The company says this provides welcome relief for manufacturers who are eager to automate repetitive, unergonomic, and often inconsistent manual screwdriving processes, but who struggle to integrate and program typical piecemeal screwdriving systems. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

Heraeus Electronics unveils new copper wire encased in aluminium

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Heraeus Electronics, a provider of material solutions for electronics packaging, has launched what it describes as a “next-generation wire for power applications”.

The product, named CucorAl Plus, renews Heraeus’ existing CucorAl product and offers “superior electrical and mechanical properties combined with a better processability”, according to the company.

Dr Klemens Brunner, president of Heraeus Electronics, says: “By replacing aluminum wire with CucorAl Plus, our customers can extend module lifetime by a factor of five without changing the module design. [Read more…] about Heraeus Electronics unveils new copper wire encased in aluminium

Critical Manufacturing and Tata Consultancy Services partnership to develop ‘modern MES’

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Critical Manufacturing has agreed a global consulting and services partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, a global leader in IT services, consulting and business solutions.

Under the agreement, TCS will offer global consulting, project development and implementation support services around Critical Manufacturing’s Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for customers in the complex discrete industry, including the semiconductor, PCB manufacturing, medical device, aerospace and defense, and automotive segments.

Regu Ayyaswamy, global head, internet of things and engineering services, TCS, says: “TCS works with leading manufacturers globally, helping them scale up product innovation and pursue their growth and transformation initiatives. [Read more…] about Critical Manufacturing and Tata Consultancy Services partnership to develop ‘modern MES’