Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

manufacturers

Coronavirus ‘exposes industry’s need to modernize operations’

by

The coronavirus pandemic has “exposed industry’s need to modernize operations”, according to Hitachi.

The industrial giant made the assertion as it launched an expanded set of digital services through its Hitachi Vantara subsidiary to help manufacturers accelerate “Manufacturing 4.0 initiatives” and to assist with safely restarting production in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For many manufacturers, the pandemic has not only affected worker health and safety, it has impacted demand, interrupted production, exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, and driven an urgent need to modernize operations. [Read more…] about Coronavirus ‘exposes industry’s need to modernize operations’

Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?

by

By Darrell Adams, head of Southeast Asia and Oceania, Universal Robots

For many ASEAN nations, manufacturing takes up a sizable chunk of the national GDP. For example, manufacturing in Singapore contributed 20.9 percent of Singapore’s GDP in 2019, according to the department of statistics Singapore.

Successful companies readily acknowledge one key factor contributing to their achievements – hardworking, committed and skilled employees who are the foundation of the companies.

However, manufacturers today face the primary challenge of filling open positions with skilled workers, which in turn affects overall productivity and growth. [Read more…] about Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?

RoboDK partners with RobCo SWAT to offer robotic simulation software solutions to automotive industry

by

Canadian robot software provider RoboDK has teamed up with automation specialists RobCo SWAT from Bulgaria to provide the world’s leading automotive experts with advanced Industry 4.0 solutions.

Albert Nubiola, RoboDK’s co-founder and CEO, says: “We’re honored to partner with RobCo SWAT to provide flexible and efficient automation systems for global automotive car manufacturers such as Audi, Volkswagen, Lamborghini and Porsche.”

RoboDK offline programming and simulation software gives automation cell designers unprecedented robot simulation possibilities and supports simultaneous simulations of bespoke hardware devices alongside leading robot brands. [Read more…] about RoboDK partners with RobCo SWAT to offer robotic simulation software solutions to automotive industry

American Manufacturers ‘ready to help’ cope with disruption caused by coronavirus

by

American Manufacturers say they are “ready to help” cope with the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

CEOs of companies facing global supply chain challenges can find local solutions with US suppliers, declared five American manufacturing trade associations in an open letter to CEOs.

US trade associations representing more than 3,500 companies in industries that employ more than 475,000 Americans have made the pledge to support the industry. [Read more…] about American Manufacturers ‘ready to help’ cope with disruption caused by coronavirus

Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

by

The world’s leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics, automatica, will take place in Munich from June 16 to 19.

One main focus of the event will be on making automobile production more flexible.

Numerous exhibitors will present alternatives to conventional assembly line production with stationary conveyor technology, for example driverless transport systems and, of course, cobots for human-robot collaboration applications. [Read more…] about Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

Brain Corp and Dane Technologies partner to build autonomous delivery solutions

by

Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence company specialising in robotics, and Dane Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of power assist solutions, have formed a technology partnership to manufacture autonomous material delivery robots for use in public and commercial applications.

Under the partnership, Dane Technologies will license BrainOS, a cloud-connected operating system for commercial autonomous robots, and begin building the delivery robots in Q2 2020. The two companies will pilot the robots with several major retailers this spring.

John Black, SVP of new product development for Brain Corp, says: “Dane Technologies has a successful track record of developing equipment for demanding retail and manufacturing environments, including the pioneering QuicKART shopping cart management system. [Read more…] about Brain Corp and Dane Technologies partner to build autonomous delivery solutions

Former BMW Munich engine assembly and test facility for sale

by

Global advisory and asset management specialist, Gordon Brothers, is conducting the “unprecedented sale” of an ex-BMW Munich Engine Assembly and Test facility.

The sale features state-of-the-art equipment supplied from world renowned German automotive original equipment manufacturers GROB, KUKA, and J W Froehlich, supported by the latest Siemen’s and Thyssen Krupp hardware, software and operating systems.

The sale also encompasses all necessary equipment to assemble and test full dressed engines. To ensure throughput at the desired rate of assembly the facility includes 15 off KUKA and J W Froehlich Test units covering engine Cold test, Leak test and Helium test. [Read more…] about Former BMW Munich engine assembly and test facility for sale

Bright Machines launches ‘Microfactory-as-a-Service’

by

Bright Machines made it easier for manufacturers of all sizes to procure and deploy next-generation factory automation with the introduction of Bright Machines Select.

Bright Machines Select is a new microfactory-as-a-service model which brings all of the benefits of Software-Defined Manufacturing to manufacturers without the upfront costs associated with traditional automation equipment purchasing.

With simplified financial evaluation, budgeting and contracts, Bright Machines Select also removes friction and streamlines the purchasing process for manufacturers looking to deploy intelligent automation to improve their lines. [Read more…] about Bright Machines launches ‘Microfactory-as-a-Service’

North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings

by

North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.49 billion in billings worldwide in December 2019.

This is according to the December Equipment Market Data Subscription Billings Report published today by SEMI.

The billings figure is 17.5 percent higher than the final November 2019 level of $2.12 billion. [Read more…] about North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings

Opinion: Radical rethink of automotive R&D investment required in 2020

by

Continued disruption, restructuring and re-shaping of the automotive industry will be required to make increasing levels of R&D affordable whilst simultaneously representing a major growth opportunity in the year ahead, according to engineering consultancy Horiba Mira.

The proliferation of electrification and connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies will continue to be amongst the top automotive trends in 2020 which will continue to push up the already soaring costs of research and development.

Indeed, latest figures show European auto manufacturers spent a record £33.3 billion on R&D – 35 per cent more than the £24.6 billion spent in 2014/15. [Read more…] about Opinion: Radical rethink of automotive R&D investment required in 2020