Robotics & Automation News

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metal

OnRobot launches advanced new magnetic gripper for robots

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OnRobot has launched the MG10, which it describes as “a versatile, high-performance, easy to use magnetic gripper” for material handling, assembly and machine tending applications in manufacturing, automotive and aerospace environments.

Fully compatible with all major robot brands through OnRobot’s One System Solution, the MG10 offers unique adjustable force and grip detection features that provide users with unprecedented levels of control.

Standard magnetic grippers only provide simple on/off functionality. To adjust the force applied, users have to add rubber ‘feet’ to create space between the magnet and the part. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches advanced new magnetic gripper for robots

Okuma unveils machining center that forms and finishes metal parts in ‘one setup’

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Okuma has unveiled a new machining center that it says can form and finishes large metal parts and components in one setup.

The company says its MCR-S double column machining center “combines cutting-edge technology and process improvements to reduce cycle time by 25 percent”.

Okuma is one of the largest manufacturers of CNC machine tools, and says its MCR-S roughs and finishes press dies in one setup and is designed for heavy duty machining of process-intensive press dies. [Read more…] about Okuma unveils machining center that forms and finishes metal parts in ‘one setup’

Robotic versus manual plasma cutting

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Plasma cutters are very powerful machines that have the ability to cut through metal. Some of them are powerful enough to go through very thick pieces. In fact, they can go through them like a knife through butter.

Plasma cutters are an essential piece of equipment for some welders. In fact, it does the complete opposite of a welding machine. Instead of fusing pieces of metal together, a plasma cutter is used to tear it apart.

During some point of work, it is necessary to cut through some pieces that you don’t need or when you are trying to shape something together. [Read more…] about Robotic versus manual plasma cutting

nTopology and Oak Ridge National Laboratory partner to develop additive manufacturing technologies

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nTopology has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to advance the capabilities of additive manufacturing through integrated software toolkits and embed ORNL expertise into nTop software.

The plan is for these capabilities to be made available commercially to the broader advanced-manufacturing market.

The collaboration incorporates foundational nTopology software with ORNL-developed machine control capabilities on large-scale polymer additive manufacturing systems. [Read more…] about nTopology and Oak Ridge National Laboratory partner to develop additive manufacturing technologies

Die Casting 101: Learn More About its Process and Advantages

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Have you ever wondered how intricate automobile parts like starter motor brackets, flywheel, solenoid valves, and the likes are produced?

Or, perhaps, the massive machine and equipment parts?

How about those Hot Wheels toy car collections that kids love? The answer: die casting.

Die casting is an industrial manufacturing process that uses tool dies, which produce metal parts that are too geometrically complex to be produced by any other means.

This process makes use of molten alloy or metal injected into a die at high pressure, which is exactly what Chicago White Metal Castings does. [Read more…] about Die Casting 101: Learn More About its Process and Advantages

Velo3D ships seventh Sapphire printer to aerospace production customer

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Velo3D, a manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing systems or 3D printers, has delivered its seventh Sapphire printer to its largest production customer, which has already ordered a total of 12 systems in the past year.

All previously installed systems are in full production creating mission-critical parts for aerospace applications. The balance of the systems will ship before the end of Q1 2020.

The combination of 12 systems and their productivity makes this one of the largest concentrations of metal additive-manufacturing capacity in the world. [Read more…] about Velo3D ships seventh Sapphire printer to aerospace production customer

BWIndustrie installs world’s first UR16e collaborative robot to optimise throughput

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Universal Robots says that BWIndustrie, a French specialist in machining, assembly and robotics, has installed the world’s first UR16e heavy-duty payload collaborative robot.

It becomes the company’s sixth cobot from UR, where it is streamlining the time-consuming and labour-intensive process of deburring metal parts.

Launched at China International Industy Fair to wide acclaim, the UR16e enables BWIndustrie to overcome the barriers of traditional manufacturing by automating the deburring processes in a matter of seconds compared to the several minutes incurred by manual labour. [Read more…] about BWIndustrie installs world’s first UR16e collaborative robot to optimise throughput

B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

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Industrial automation company B&R has been showcasing its technology for mass customisation, or “batch of one”.

The company exhibited its SuperTrak process at the metal industry event EMO, held recently in Germany.

B&R says the metal industry is not immune to the global trend away from bulk annual orders toward small-batch customer orders with short lead times. [Read more…] about B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

Goudsmit Magnetics improves its gripper for picking up sheet metal

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Goudsmit Magnetics has unveiled its new and improved magnetic gripper for the automated pick-up, placement or positioning of steel or other ferromagnetic objects.

The company says the end effector is ideal for removing sheet metal from presses, de-stacking products from boxes (bin picking), assembling steel parts or handling of punched steel parts, blanks and perforated steel sheets in robotic applications.

The ultralight magnetic gripper is fitted with strong permanent neodymium magnets and is therefore extra safe. It can be used in grippers on robot arms. [Read more…] about Goudsmit Magnetics improves its gripper for picking up sheet metal

Metal working event EMO to put spotlight on robots

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One of the best-known and most well-attended metal working exhibitions in Germany, EMO, is planning to put the spotlight on robots.

In a showcase entitled Robotics for Agile and Competitive Manufacturing, EMO will highlight how new “robotic technologies can be used to improve the agility, productivity and competitiveness of manufacturing companies”, say the organisers.

The conference is organised by Trinity, a European Commission-funded project focusing on robotics, IoT and cybersecurity. [Read more…] about Metal working event EMO to put spotlight on robots