Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

manufacturers

Hexagon unveils automated platform to accelerate autonomous robotic quality assurance

by

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, which supplies smart manufacturing technologies to giants from Volkswagen to Boeing, has unveiled its HxGN Robotic Automation, which it describes as a “pioneering robotic programming and control software” that enables non-specialist quality professionals to program industrial robots to perform fully automated quality inspection.

The platform enables manufacturers to equip greenfield factories or retrofit existing production lines with state-of-the-art autonomous optical inspection cells, accelerating time to market by eliminating historic bottlenecks while providing more complete data direct from the production line as products are made.

HxGN says its robotic automation enables manufacturers to accelerate adoption of Industry 4.0 by intelligently devising optimal inspection routines in a single step; a task that would typically demand significant time and attention from both a metrology and robotics professional. [Read more…] about Hexagon unveils automated platform to accelerate autonomous robotic quality assurance

Epson signs Gibson Engineering as distributor in US Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions

by

Epson Robots has signed Gibson Engineering, a solutions provider for manufacturers of industrial automation products, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions.

Gibson Engineering has a diverse customer base in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, from life sciences and plastics manufacturers to OEM machine builders.

As the sense of urgency for manufacturing projects in these industries accelerates, this new partnership offers Gibson Engineering customers access to Epson’s fully stacked product lineup to simplify automation installs while meeting project time frames. [Read more…] about Epson signs Gibson Engineering as distributor in US Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions

TTTech Auto and Infineon design new chip architecture for highly automated driving

by

TTTech Auto and Infineon Technologies have developed key components for a fail-operational electronic architecture for highly automated driving of SAE Level 3 and 4.

This enables the safe and reliable processing of, for example, radar or LiDAR camera sensor data and is targeting car and technology manufacturers. The fail-operational architectural concept and its key components ensure the safe operation of highway pilot functions, valet parking and autonomous truck driving in case individual functions fail.

The joint research contributed to the successful completion of the European PRYSTINE (Programmable Systems for Intelligence in Automobiles) project. With a budget of about €50 million, PRYSTINE aimed to realize safe automated driving by fail-operational urban surround perception. [Read more…] about TTTech Auto and Infineon design new chip architecture for highly automated driving

Enabling manufacturing innovation with the virtual twin experience

by

Manufacturers in just about every industry are already embracing the reality of Industry 4.0 – that the digital transformation of factories is necessary, replacing manual processes with automated systems in cyber-physical smart factories.

This is crucial to manufacturers as challenges caused by global disruptions can make it even more challenging for them to ramp up production to satisfy ever-volatile market demands.

There are many subtle differences in the obstacles faced by manufacturers in different industries, but there are also a few key challenges that all manufacturers have in common. Having a limited number of assembly lines makes it difficult for manufacturers to keep up with the rising demand for customised products as well as the accelerating rate of innovation (and by extension, obsolescence) in new products.

Many manufacturers still lack the visibility required to respond to supply and demand volatility in an agile manner. At the same time, it can be challenging to be mindful of the growing list of certifications required and regulations that manufacturers need to comply with – in addition to the growing pressure for manufacturers to shift towards more sustainable practices. [Read more…] about Enabling manufacturing innovation with the virtual twin experience

SICK presents intelligent sensor solutions for the ‘factory of the future’

by

At PackExpo this year, SICK is presenting numerous demonstrations and one educational session that highlight how intelligent sensors can help you create the factory of the future that includes robotics, quality inspection, and digital transformation.

Intelligent sensor solutions from SICK enhance mobile and stationary robotic applications. In its booth (C-2160) at PackExpo 2021, demos about sensor solutions for robotics and quality inspection are available throughout the show.

From 3D vision robot guidance systems for more efficient bin picking to safety and LiDAR solutions for AMRs, SICK prioritizes improving the supply chain with solutions for mobile robot safety, LiDAR localization, and robot vision systems. [Read more…] about SICK presents intelligent sensor solutions for the ‘factory of the future’

Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

by

Software AG has launched an app to automate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) calculation for its Cumulocity IoT platform.

The new app will enable manufacturers of any size to collect and process key data as it’s created and quickly understand production effectiveness.

By monitoring production line availability, performance and quality, organizations can be more responsive to inefficiencies in their operations, enabling them to avert problems and capitalize on opportunities to be more effective. [Read more…] about Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

Bright Machines introduces Brightware Studio to ‘liberate factory automation’

by

Bright Machines, a provider of software for intelligent, software-defined manufacturing, has launched its Brightware Studio, a new software offering that the company says “liberates manufacturers from the constraints of traditional factory automation and introduces a new self-service capability that enables flexible automation at greater speed and lower cost”.

Brightware Studio provides additional functionality to the Bright Machines Microfactory – the company’s flagship solution which combines intelligent software and modular building blocks to automate repetitive assembly and inspection tasks.

Based on a modern, low/no code workflow, Brightware Studio is operated using an intuitive user interface, giving production line operators and technicians the ability to easily program, run, analyze and debug the assembly process on the factory floor. [Read more…] about Bright Machines introduces Brightware Studio to ‘liberate factory automation’

Specialist ‘robotics-as-a-service’ startup lets manufacturers ‘hire’ popular robots at ‘low hourly rate’

by

A new robotics-as-a-service company Formic Technologies has launched with a simple value proposition: hire fully customized robots from top vendors at a “low hourly rate and no upfront cost”.

To help small and medium-size manufacturers benefit from automation, Formic handles every aspect of a financing and implementation – from scoping, engineering, purchasing, implementation, and maintenance. The company also guarantees uptime, with customers paying nothing for system downtime.

Traditionally, manufacturers buy robots, which is a lengthy, complex, inflexible, and expensive process. These barriers to entry are so high for smaller manufacturers that they often refrain from implementing automation altogether. [Read more…] about Specialist ‘robotics-as-a-service’ startup lets manufacturers ‘hire’ popular robots at ‘low hourly rate’

Automation Must Include a Quality-Driven Mindset

by

By Thomas R Cutler

According to Jason Spera, CEO and Co-Founder, Aegis Software, a quality-driven mindset across every layer of an enterprise, strategically enhances process visibility and compliance to enable improvements in both cost and customer satisfaction.

In today’s customer-centered world, meeting the needs of customers is more demanding and business-critical than ever. Simultaneously, manufacturers struggle to reduce operating costs as margins compress and the competitive landscape intensifies.

This dichotomy and a pressure to “choose” between reducing costs and delighting customers is not mutually exclusive. Best-in-class manufacturers recognize there is no tradeoff; they take a holistic approach to quality management that allows them to excel in both arenas. [Read more…] about Automation Must Include a Quality-Driven Mindset

Rapid Robotics raises $37 million in new investment

by

Rapid Robotics, creator of what it says is “the first ready-to-work robotic machine operator”, has raised $36.7 million in Series B funding.

The funding round was led by Kleiner Perkins and Tiger Global, with existing investors NEA, Greycroft, Bee Partners and 468 Capital also participating.

The latest round is Rapid’s third in less than a year, bringing its total funding to $54.2 million. [Read more…] about Rapid Robotics raises $37 million in new investment