Robotics & Automation News

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material handling

Kivnon launches new autonomous guided vehicle for supply chain and logistics operations

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Kivnon has launched a new autonomous guided vehicle for logistics and supply chain operations. The company plans to showcase it at the LogiMAT event, in Germany, next week.

Unlike an “automated” guided vehicle, which often requires tracks or markings on the ground to guide it through an environment, an “autonomous” collects data about its environment and uses artificial intelligence in order to navigate without requiring tracks or markings on the ground.

The company describes the vehicles as “an omnidirectional AGV superfine” that is designed for all types of surroundings and which can lift and carry up to 1.000 kg with “free navigation”.  [Read more…] about Kivnon launches new autonomous guided vehicle for supply chain and logistics operations

New robotics company Berkshire Grey aims to ‘transform’ supply chains

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A new robotics company is aiming to “transform omnichannel fulfillment”, or material handling in supply chains.

Berkshire Grey, which emerged from stealth mode this week, says it has been applying “game-changing” artificial intelligence-enabled robotics solutions at Global 100 retailers and logistics companies to transform omnichannel fulfillment.

Customers are deploying intelligent robotic systems that automate tasks never before performed by machines in commercial settings.  [Read more…] about New robotics company Berkshire Grey aims to ‘transform’ supply chains

Industrial technology provider JMP Solutions acquires Alfacon assets

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JMP Solutions, industrial technology provider to Fortune 1000 companies, has acquired the assets of Alfacon Solutions, a 35-year-old custom material handling solution provider based in Milton, Ontario.

The employees of Alfacon now form JMP’s material handling division and the company says it is “excited about the value this will bring to their customers”.

Scott Shawyer, JMP president and CEO, says: “We are very happy the Alfacon team has decided to join us at JMP. Their capabilities are world class and allow us to provide our customers with very high quality, made-in-North-America advanced material handling solutions.  [Read more…] about Industrial technology provider JMP Solutions acquires Alfacon assets

Toyota looking for ‘next-generation’ material handling solutions

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Toyota Material Handling North America has begun accepting applications for the third annual TMHNA University Research Program, a sponsored research program created to drive and advance the next generation of material handling industry technology.

The program is accepting proposals via its website until December 15, 2018.

The TMHNA University Research Program’s mission encourages and supports professors and researchers who apply their engineering and technical field knowledge to discover innovative solutions in the material handling industry. [Read more…] about Toyota looking for ‘next-generation’ material handling solutions

Unex launches online app for designing material handling systems

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Unex Manufacturing, a provider of order-picking solutions, has launched what it says is “an easy-to-use” design tool that generates a 3D image and bill of materials for users’ custom carton flow solutions.

The online Configurator quickly and easily lets users configure a Span-Track solution from the ground up by themselves, accelerating the turn-around time for custom-fit materials handling equipment that can speed fulfillment and throughput in the warehouse, distribution center or manufacturing line.

Brian Neuwirth, VP sales and marketing, Unex Manufacturing, says: “We have found that many of our customers want to design a Unex solution themselves to ensure the equipment will fit into their environment to keep their processes flowing.  [Read more…] about Unex launches online app for designing material handling systems

RightHand Robotics claims automated piece-picking ‘world record’

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RightHand Robotics, a provider of robotic piece-picking solutions, claims that a team of its automation partners have set a world record at the recent Modex supply chain event.

RightPick workcells successfully picked and placed 131,072 items over the duration of the show at the Georgia World Congress Center, says the company.

The workcells were featured in five exhibitor booths at the show, enabling partner companies to showcase how robotic piece-picking increases the value of their respective solutions for e-commerce fulfillment and intralogistics. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics claims automated piece-picking ‘world record’

Geek Plus to launch two new warehouse robots at CeMAT

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Geek Plus, a provider of warehouse automation solutions, says it will be launching two new warehouse robots at CeMAT, the material handling and logistics trade show taking place in Hannover, Germany next week. 

The company, which claims to be China’s leading supplier of warehousing and logistics solutions, will launch its P800 
picking robot and its M100 moving robot at the show.

Both robots will be equipped with what Geek Plus says is “cutting-edge advanced SLAM laser navigation technology”.  [Read more…] about Geek Plus to launch two new warehouse robots at CeMAT

Proco unveils new collaborative robotic system for packaging industry

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Proco, a supplier and integrator of automation technologies, has unveiled a new collaborative robotic system for the packaging industry. 

The company, which specialises in blow-molding, says it is responding to the latest automation technology which is “sweeping the packaging industry”.

Siva Krish, Proco’s vice president of sales, says: “Collaborative robotic systems are seeing strong growth in the blow molding industry due to the need for greater efficiency and automation.  [Read more…] about Proco unveils new collaborative robotic system for packaging industry

Material handling equipment supplier Nitco opens expanded facility in New Hampshire

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Material handling equipment supplier North Industrial Truck Company has opened a new and expanded facility in Concord, New Hampshire. 

The new site is designed to showcase the company’s forklifts, construction equipment, warehouse solutions, and other products.

Nitco says the new facility provides a “huge showroom” for its “cutting-edge” industrial equipment, as well as an expanded shop for top technicians working on the machinery.  [Read more…] about Material handling equipment supplier Nitco opens expanded facility in New Hampshire

Material world: Exclusive interview with Wynright Robotics boss

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Daifuku Wynright was established in 2013 as a result of Daifuku Group’s acquisition of Wynright Corporation and is now the largest material handling company in the world.

Last year, the company generated almost $3 billion in revenue worldwide. Daifuku has approximately 6,500 employees globally, while Wynright has around 500. 

Material handling is the aspect of logistics which is mainly concerned with the movement of boxes from one place to another, usually over short distances, such as from a truck to a warehouse, and then from the warehouse to the trucks for the dispatching of goods to customers’ locations.  [Read more…] about Material world: Exclusive interview with Wynright Robotics boss