Robotics & Automation News

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optical

SICK launches new miniature photoelectric sensor

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SICK drives innovation with the new W4F miniature photoelectric sensor for intelligent object detection in tight installation spaces for proximity applications

SICK is launching the latest generation of its miniature photoelectric sensors, the W4F. A new ASIC platform delivers numerous performance advantages to this product family.

For example, these sensors can detect jet black, highly reflective, flat, or transparent objects with the utmost reliability. The W4F can also provide distance information, such as the height of objects and, as a result, identify process errors.

Initial users have confirmed that the photoelectric sensors have the best ambient light and sunlight suppression on the market as well as maximum immunity to all known sources of optical interference.  [Read more…] about SICK launches new miniature photoelectric sensor

Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

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Sole Source Capital, an industrial-focused private equity firm, has acquired Peak-Ryzex from Keystone Capital and Optical Phusion from its founders, two leading providers of automatic identification, data capture and factory automation solutions.

The companies will be merged and led by Peak-Ryzex CEO Juliann Larimer, CFO Michele Adams and Optical Phusion president Tony Rivers. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

The combination will yield significant technological and operational synergies as well as deliver enhanced cross-selling opportunities to a broad set of clients ranging from small and medium sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies – all seeking supply-chain logistical support. [Read more…] about Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

Airbus and Xenesis to demo 10 Gbps networking on ISS for robotics and other applications

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Airbus and Xenesis have signed a contract for a payload slot on the International Space Station Bartolomeo platform for the demonstration of their Xen-Hub optical communication space terminal.

The Xen-Hub is a greater than 10 gigabyte per second optical communications terminal. The terminal was enabled with a technology transfer from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is designed to increase satellite communications bandwidth.

The Airbus-built Bartolomeo platform offers external science and payload hosting capabilities on the ISS, providing new opportunities for science and research. [Read more…] about Airbus and Xenesis to demo 10 Gbps networking on ISS for robotics and other applications

Fanuc to introduce new RoboNano ‘ultra precise’ machining tool

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Fanuc is to introduce its new “RoboNano α-NTiA” at SPIE Photonics West 2020, February 4-6, in San Francisco, Booth #5684.

Designed to help manufacturers improve productivity, the RoboNano is described as an “ultra-precise machine tool offering the ultimate in finish quality for optical surfaces”.

Available in two models, including the new RoboNano α-NTiA for turning applications and the RoboNano α-NMiA for 5-axis milling and scribing / engraving, the RoboNano meets the requirements of the most demanding applications in the automotive, biomedical, and watchmaking industries. [Read more…] about Fanuc to introduce new RoboNano ‘ultra precise’ machining tool

Visteon shows off new dashboard technology

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Visteon, an automotive cockpit electronics technology company, has launched what it describes as its “breakthrough” microZone display technology.

The virtual dashboard element is said to offer offers “significantly higher graphics performance” than traditional LCD displays.

This new, patent-pending high-dynamic range display technology offers high contrast and brightness and wide color gamut that enables automotive displays to achieve parity with consumer mobile devices with life-like imaging capability. [Read more…] about Visteon shows off new dashboard technology

Key supplier selection criteria for when you’re building optical assemblies for commercial space applications

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By Joe Salemi, OEM sales manager, Optical Components Group, ZYGO Corporation

It is often easy to ignore the fundamental role that technology plays in our everyday lives.

Consider the ability to analyze changes to the Earth’s surface, daily. Consider the possibility of ubiquitous internet access even in remote parts of the world. Consider satellite navigation systems in almost every new road vehicle.

All these and thousands of other activities that are driven by the need to monitor what is happening in the world every minute of every day are only possible because of commercial space projects, and the technology used in such space craft must marry reliability with utmost precision. [Read more…] about Key supplier selection criteria for when you’re building optical assemblies for commercial space applications

Omron says its optical sensors can better detect black surfaces

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Omron has launched an updated ranges of optical sensors that the company says can better detect black, mirrored and transparent surfaces.

Omron Electronic Components Europe says the new series of optical sensors, also feature a longer detection distance.

Omron B5W sensors are particularly effective at identifying black, transparent, reflective and other hard to detect services, and the new range also features enhanced performance in this area. [Read more…] about Omron says its optical sensors can better detect black surfaces

Cornell scientists develop new material to give robots more sensitive touch

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A new synthetic material created by a scientist at Cornell University is said to give robots a “softer touch”.

Developed by PhD student Patricia Xu, at Cornell’s Organic Robotics Lab, the “sensory network” – also dubbed “optical lace” – is said to be similar to the human biological nervous system.

The lab’s paper, Optical Lace for Synthetic Afferent Neural Networks, was published in Science Robotics. [Read more…] about Cornell scientists develop new material to give robots more sensitive touch

Nikon invests $7.5 million in computer vision and deep learning startup Wrnch

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Nikon has invested $7.5 million in Wrnch – or wrnch, as the company prefers – a computer vision and deep learning startup.

Established in 2014, wrnch uses deep learning to develop and provide tools and software development kits (SDKs) that enable computers to see and understand human movement and activity.

Wrnch has also used its advanced work in pose estimation technologies to establish ties with major entertainment and communications companies. The company continues its operations in technical development, while raising funds continuously. [Read more…] about Nikon invests $7.5 million in computer vision and deep learning startup Wrnch

NIST unveils tiny new chip for atomic clocks

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Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and partners have demonstrated an experimental, next-generation atomic clock – ticking at high “optical” frequencies – that is much smaller than usual, made of just three small chips plus supporting electronics and optics.

As can be seen from the main picture, it’s smaller than a coffee bean.

Described in Optica, the chip-scale clock is based on the vibrations, or “ticks”, of rubidium atoms confined in a tiny glass container, called a vapor cell, on a chip.

Two frequency combs on chips act like gears to link the atoms’ high-frequency optical ticks to a lower, widely used microwave frequency that can be used in applications. [Read more…] about NIST unveils tiny new chip for atomic clocks