Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

oil

ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

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ExRobotics and Yokogawa Electric have signed a licensing agreement that will enable Yokogawa to sell and deploy ExRobotics’ inspection robot hardware and software platforms worldwide.

ExRobotics is a Netherlands-based developer of robotics technology for hazardous environments, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation is a global provider of industrial automation, control, and measurement technology.

ExRobotics was established in 2017 to commercialise robotics technology for use in the potentially explosive atmospheres found at oil and gas production and processing facilities, which are often in remote locations with harsh environments. [Read more…] about ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

Comau ‘Mate’ exoskeleton used in CC Jensen’s manufacturing processes

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Danish company CC Jensen is using exoskeletons from Comau in its manufacturing processes.

Comau calls its exoskeleton ‘Mate’ and has been supplying it to the market for around a year.

CC Jensen specialises in the design and manufacturing of oil filtration solutions, and says it uses Mate to better support workers in carrying out their daily activities. [Read more…] about Comau ‘Mate’ exoskeleton used in CC Jensen’s manufacturing processes

Total strengthens presence in industrial lubricants with new acquisitions

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Total Lubrifiants has strengthened its presence in the industrial lubricants market with the acquisition of a number of business units from Houghton International.

Total has acquired the aluminum hot rolling oil, steel cold rolling oil and tinplate rolling oil activities in the North American and European Economic Area markets from Houghton.

The transaction includes the associated technical support services in both regions. [Read more…] about Total strengthens presence in industrial lubricants with new acquisitions

Robotic test facility opens in the Netherlands

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Unique testing facility accelerates progress of robotics for inspection and maintenance

Quasset Test Facility has opened in the Netherlands to facilitate the experimentation and validation of robotic solutions for inspection and maintenance.

The 600-square-meter testing facility offers a highly flexible and controlled environment, housing a range of decommissioned assets which serve to test crawling, flying and swimming robotic systems.

As an independent facility, QTF provides third-party assessments of technology for robotic and inspection systems. From start-ups to leading oil and gas companies, service providers have the opportunity to work in consultation with QTF’s specialist robotics staff. [Read more…] about Robotic test facility opens in the Netherlands

Okuma and Hartwig open tech centre in Houston

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Okuma America Corporation, a world leader in CNC machine tool manufacturing, and Okuma distributor Hartwig, have opened a new Okuma Tech Center at Hartwig Houston in Texas, USA.

The 23,000 sq ft showroom which features more than 20 machine tools – including larger machines specifically built for the oil and gas industry.

Wade Anderson, Okuma Product Specialists Sales Manager and Tech Centers Manager, said: “The new space allows us to show the larger machines that are significant to the oil and gas industry, and our customers can see live-cutting applications demonstrated on these Okuma machine tools.”

Opec and big oil eyeing electric cars with trepidation, says Bloomberg

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The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Opec, and big oil companies around the world are looking at the growing popularity of electric cars anew, and revising their forecasts, according to a new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. 

The prospect of a massive trend that shows consumers turning away from petrol-driven vehicles would have huge implications for the oil industry.

Petrol-driven vehicles account for almost half of oil production demand, according to the US Department of Energy, while other sources say it’s more than 50 per cent.  [Read more…] about Opec and big oil eyeing electric cars with trepidation, says Bloomberg

US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence

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The manufacturing sector is experiencing a dramatic turnaround in business, according to figures released by the White House. 

President Donald Trump has consistently said he wants the manufacturing sector to grow and has personally intervened to persuade many large manufacturing companies to consider relocating or expanding their operations in the US.

However, the vast majority of manufacturing companies in the US are small businesses, of less than 100 people.  [Read more…] about US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence

ABB approves Chinese company Recon to bid for major automation projects

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recon

Recon Technology, which describes itself as an independent oilfield services provider operating primarily in China, has been authorised by ABB to participate in bidding for various projects in the future, including automation system products projects.

Recon says it anticipates cooperating with ABB in the future to provide integrated automation solutions, products and product quality assurance services for various projects beyond oil industry.

For any successful project bids, Recon expects it would provide on-site project commissioning and maintenance services.  [Read more…] about ABB approves Chinese company Recon to bid for major automation projects

Woodside Energy to train Nasa’s Robonaut to work in oil and gas industry

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nasa robonaut

Woodside Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have launched a new collaboration program under which the Australian independent oil and gas company will develop applications for Nasa’s Robonaut in its own operations. 

Under the partnership Nasa will loan Woodside an Anthropomorphic Robonaut System for a 60-month deployment in Perth. Together the two organisations will explore how the robotic technology could be used to improve safety, reliability and efficiency in the high-risk and remote environments where Woodside operates.

Woodside will contribute its advanced cognitive science technology, being developed in its Western Australian operations, and Nasa will share its expertise in Robonauts that are already being used for simple, repetitive, or especially dangerous tasks in places such as the International Space Station.  [Read more…] about Woodside Energy to train Nasa’s Robonaut to work in oil and gas industry

Gast launches new ‘lubefree’ air motors

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gast

Gast, a designer and manufacturer of precision air products and member of IDEX Corporation, has launched new LubeFree options for their AM series air motors that utilize a proprietary vane material that provides versatility, allowing users the options to oil or not oil the motor.

This new LubeFree option has expanded Gast’s range of 2AM, 4AM and 6AM Series air motors and affords operators the flexibility to modify their maintenance schedules or save money by eliminating oil, lubricator components and system maintenance.

Existing 2AM, 4AM and 6AM Series motors – which are used in a vast number of applications including chemical, paint and sanitary mixing, pump drive, material handling, and other industrial and remote applications – can be upgraded and retrofitted using a new LubeFree vane kit.  [Read more…] about Gast launches new ‘lubefree’ air motors