Market trends and business perspectives
Omron has introduced its sixth wave of factory automation control equipment.
The company says the devices are built on a common design platform for unified product specifications, for further innovation in control panel building.
The products will be available as 237 models in six categories. [Read more…] about Omron introduces new control panel equipment for factory automation
Mitsubishi Electric Automation has released a new range of its MELIPC Series industrial-use computers for data computing, edge computing, remote monitoring, and the integration of hardware and software technologies.
The MELIPC Series is targeted towards original equipment manufacturers and end users running general manufacturing applications, and especially those who require a computing and data monitoring solution that takes up a limited amount of space with a small footprint.
Most importantly, MELIPC is designed to enable internet of things on factory floors that have not been introduced to it yet, or improve it where it is already enabled. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches new range of industrial computers
General Motors has announced the second major expansion of its full-size pickup production capacity this year: a $150 million investment at Flint Assembly to increase production of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.
This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand.
GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the Flint Assembly since 2013, enabling an increase in the truck plant’s production capacity of the all-new Chevrolet and GMC HD pickups by about 40,000 vehicles annually, including more crew cab models and diesels. [Read more…] about GM to invest $150 million in Flint truck assembly plant
Omron Corporation has launched the E2EW Series of Full Metal Proximity Sensors, which have the world’s longest sensing distances, the company claims.
The automotive industry needs lighter automobiles, for electric vehicles and low fuel consumption, encouraging the material change in automotive components from iron to aluminium.
This will increase mixed production lines containing iron and aluminium. Full metal proximity sensors are mainly used in welding processes. However, previous full metal proximity sensors have short sensing distances.
[Read more…] about Omron releases full metal proximity sensor for auto industry
Nvidia, a chip maker and computing systems supplier, has been selected to lead an autonomous vehicle safety group, called the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), set up by European automotive suppliers.
As well as CLEPA, Nvidia also works with key international organizations formulating standards and regulations for automated vehicles.
These include the International Standards Organization (ISO), the United Nations Economic Commission of Europe (UNECE), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Association for Standardization of Automation and Measuring Systems (ASAM). [Read more…] about Nvidia selected to lead European autonomous vehicle safety group
Fanuc America, supplier of robotics, CNCs and Robomachines, has expanded its line of collaborative robots to include six models, on display at re:MARS Tech Showcase 4-7 June 4-7 in Las Vegas.
The series of power and force limiting collaborative robots can handle 4-35 kg payloads and a 550-1813 mm reach.
The cobots are equipped with Fanuc’s iHMI touch screen user interface. The Hand Guidance feature allows operators to teach a collaborative robot by leading it through paths, and/or use it to lift heavy objects manually.
[Read more…] about Fanuc demonstrates cobots at Amazon’s re:MARS Conference
Volvo Car Group has signed long-term agreements with leading battery makers CATL and LG Chem to ensure the multi-billion dollar supply of lithium ion batteries over the coming decade for next generation Volvo and Polestar models.
The automaker’s target is to switch to electric across all its cars by 2025.
The agreements cover the global supply of battery modules for all models on the upcoming SPA2 and Volvo’s existing “Compact Modular Architecture” vehicle platforms and represent “a major step towards realising Volvo Cars’ ambitious electrification strategy”, says the company.
[Read more…] about Volvo signs multi-billion dollar battery supply deals with CATL and LG ChemToyota unveiled its C-HR and IZOA battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the opening day of Auto Shanghai 2019.
The C-HR and IZOA will be the first BEVs to launch in China under the Toyota brand. Sales of the new models are expected to start from 2020.
Toyota also displayed other electrified vehicles, such as hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) variants for the RAV4 and the Alphard/Vellfire in China, as well as the Corolla and Levin plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) series, launched in March 2019.
[Read more…] about Toyota premieres own-brand battery electric vehicles
Foxconn is to produce 95 per cent of the new Apple iPhone, the eighth incarnation of the device, according to a report on PatentlyApple.com.
It’s not clear from the story whether any of the production will take place in the US, although that’s unlikely given that Foxconn hasn’t even chosen where in the US to expand its manufacturing operations.
The Taiwanese manufacturer has been considering its options, and Michigan is said to be one of the locations being scouted. [Read more…] about Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8
New business models are emerging as enterprises and solution providers get ready for the next generation of mobile networks, according to a new report.
In its latest report, 5G Deployment Models Are Crystallizing, Arthur D. Little examines the opportunities that exist for telecom operators to facilitate new business ecosystems enabled by the next generation of mobile networks.
Promising huge increases in speed and bandwidth, 5G has the potential to deliver a vast array of realistic, interactive experiences to consumers, for example, in the areas of immersive games and sports viewing, autonomous driving and augmented reality infotainment, with use cases currently being built. [Read more…] about New report highlights 5G opportunities for operators
