Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

motors

Mclennan launches Phytron ZSH series harsh environment stepper motors

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Mclennan has now made available specialist ZSH-series stepper motors from its new distribution partner Phytron.

The motors are built for use in especially harsh industrial environments, says the company.

As part of a wide range that spans proven use in environments from deep space and ultra-high vacuum to standard industrial, the ZSH is designed as a cost effective solution for truly harsh industrial use where standard build stepper motors would have severe limitations.  [Read more…] about Mclennan launches Phytron ZSH series harsh environment stepper motors

A smooth revolution: Exclusive interview with Genesis Robotics CEO

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There’s been a lot of talk about, and tremendous interest in, Genesis Robotics because of its new invention, the LiveDrive, an actuation system which could not only revolutionise industrial robotics and automation, but could also transform automotive vehicles as well as change many other machines, devices and whole sectors. 

But for the people behind the technology, one especially interesting potential application for LiveDrive is exoskeletons and what the company calls “assistive robots”, which they see as being in virtually every home in the future.

In this exclusive and wide-ranging interview, Robotics and Automation News talks to Mike Hilton, CEO of Genesis Robotics, about its development of LiveDrive, its potential applications, as well as the company’s negotiations for the licensing of its technology as well as the possibility of an acquisition.  [Read more…] about A smooth revolution: Exclusive interview with Genesis Robotics CEO

Asian demand for actuators for industrial robots set to increase in next few years

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The market for motors and actuators for industrial robots is forecast to increase dramatically over the next few years, according to a new report. 

The market is also set to see “intense competition”, says Technavio, which adds that key vendors are “constantly trying to provide innovative motors and actuators for industrial robot manufacturers”.

In their bid to outdo each other, vendors are said to be providing full-fledged customer services and support, as well as assisting in training the employees to operate the industrial robots.  [Read more…] about Asian demand for actuators for industrial robots set to increase in next few years

Leroy-Somer launches new integrated drive for IMfinity motors

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Leroy-Somer has launched Commander ID300, a new integrated drive solution optimized for the control of IMfinity induction motors.

Leroy-Somer says this decentralized system brings together performance and reliability, offering customized solutions for process, manufacturing and intralogistics applications.

With the transition to Industry 4.0 under way, production is evolving in an increasingly complex and demanding environment. As a consequence, companies require more and more quality, risk management, equipment performance and compliance to standards.  [Read more…] about Leroy-Somer launches new integrated drive for IMfinity motors

Nidec to launch factory automation robots

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Nidec is to start selling factory automation and robotics systems some time this year, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review. 

Japanese company Nidec already has a strong presence in the industrial space, and is a huge supplier of motors.

In the company’s own words, it specialises in and handles motor application products based on “everything that spins and moves”, and says its business is “centred on motors”.  [Read more…] about Nidec to launch factory automation robots

Hirotec on long journey towards lights-out manufacturing with robots from Otto and Yaskawa

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“Lights-out manufacturing” is a term to mean the method of making things in a way that’s entirely automated and does not need humans to be involved in the process. 

Of course, humans initially set up the process, build the factory and so on, but the factory which outputs the final product only requires robotics and automation technology.

It’s an idea that has probably been explored in science fiction many times, but in reality, a fully automated factory that needs no human intervention at all is still a distant dream.  [Read more…] about Hirotec on long journey towards lights-out manufacturing with robots from Otto and Yaskawa

ABB claims world record in energy efficiency for its synchronous motor

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abb AMS 1400 Motor

ABB says it has set a new world record in energy efficiency with its synchronous motor – and says the technology could save companies half a million dollars over 20 years.

The company says it achieved “almost 100 per cent energy efficiency” with the motor.

Tests carried out on a 44 megawatt 6-pole synchronous ABB motor shortly before delivery showed an efficiency 0.25 percent greater than the 98.8 percent stipulated in the contract, resulting in the world record for electric motor efficiency.  [Read more…] about ABB claims world record in energy efficiency for its synchronous motor

Daimler lays foundation stone for $280 million Mercedes-Benz plant in Russia

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Bense, von Fritsch, Schaefer, Manturov, Ruess and Vorobyov attend a new Mercedes-Benz plant's cornerstone laying ceremony in the town of Esipovo outside Moscow
Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Rus CEO Axel Bense, Germany’s Ambassador to Russia Ruediger von Fritsch, member of the divisional board of Mercedes-Benz Cars Markus Schaefer, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, head of production planning of Mercedes-Benz Cars Rainer Ruess and Moscow Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov attend a new Mercedes-Benz plant’s cornerstone laying ceremony in the town of Esipovo outside Moscow, Russia earlier this week. Reuters / Tatyana Makeyeva

By Jack Stubbs, Reuters

Daimler began construction of a new Mercedes-Benz plant near Moscow this week, following through on the first new investment by a major foreign automaker in Russia since Western sanctions were imposed three years ago.

Daimler said in February that it will invest more than $280 million in the factory, contrasting with widespread wariness among international investors after a prolonged downturn brought on by sanctions and a collapse in global oil prices.

But Russia’s economy has recently shown signs of recovery, while its car market is returning to growth after four years of decline.  [Read more…] about Daimler lays foundation stone for $280 million Mercedes-Benz plant in Russia

Got milk? How a Swiss company builds filling and packaging systems for milk, coffee and other products

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swiss can machine matic127TwinFP_01 crop
A piece of equipment manufactured by Swiss Can Machinery

Scaled technology and functioning interfaces are essential for Swiss Can Machinery, which is why the company’s filling and packaging systems have a modular design throughout, and why it uses a product program with a scaled structure for the drive technology. 

The filling and packaging systems at Swiss Can Machinery – which was established by brothers Marc and Michael Grabher – shows how this objective can be achieved.

The company turns to stainless steel motors for the actuators; for example, when these systems are used for filling and packaging pharmaceutical products.  [Read more…] about Got milk? How a Swiss company builds filling and packaging systems for milk, coffee and other products

Yaskawa introduces gear motor capabilities for its full Sigma-7 servo line

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The Drives & Motion Division of Yaskawa America has released what it says is “a full line of gear motors” based on its Sigma-7 servo motors.

The new line brings “precise Yaskawa servo motion to a wider variety of automation applications than ever before, especially to uses which require high torque at low
output speeds”, says the company.

A new set of gearheads have been designed to pair precisely with every servo motor in the full Sigma-7 range, creating complete gear motor solutions rated from a low of 50W to as high as 7.5 kW.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa introduces gear motor capabilities for its full Sigma-7 servo line