Robotics & Automation News

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There’s an app for that: Automating the moving of parts from warehouses to field service technicians

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By Travis Smith, founder and CTO, WithoutWire Inventory Sciences

A typical process to move parts from a warehouse to a field technician generates a 77 percent reduction in barcode scans using automated optimization

Field technicians are paid to do their job, not to study software manuals. Many field techs are under 40 and have spent their lives using Android and iOS apps. These solutions are easy to install; with a minimal learning curve, automating, tracking, and replenishing truck inventory in real-time is now possible.  [Read more…] about There’s an app for that: Automating the moving of parts from warehouses to field service technicians

Xometry raises $50 million for on-demand parts marketplace

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Xometry, the largest on-demand manufacturing marketplace, has raised $50m in equity funding, led by Greenspring Associates.

The new funding will back efforts to build a platform connecting suppliers to businesses that need prototypes and small runs of parts.

Dell Technologies Capital will also participate in the round, along with all previous venture and strategic investors including BMW i Ventures, Foundry Group, GE Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Maryland Venture Fund and Almaz Capital. Xometry has raised a total of $113m to date.

[Read more…] about Xometry raises $50 million for on-demand parts marketplace

NextGenAM 3D printing pilot successfully completed

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The “NextGenAM” project, what began as a vision in May 2017, has now reached a successful conclusion.

The aim was to develop a digitalised next-generation manufacturing line to produce aluminium components for the automotive and aerospace sectors significantly more cost-effectively than is currently possible.

The successful outcome was that, in terms of the overall production process, manufacturing costs could be reduced by up to 50 percent compared with existing 3D printing systems.

[Read more…] about NextGenAM 3D printing pilot successfully completed

Continental expands logistics center for car aftermarket

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Continental has expanded its logistics center in Gross-Rohrheim south of Frankfurt, the site that supplies dealers all over the world with spare parts.

During the course of the second quarter, the technology company will put its new 7,000 sq m warehouse extension into operation, expanding the total available area to 34,000 sq m.

The new logistics area serves as a picking and storage area. It has a separate small parts warehouse with more than 25,000 storage spaces – almost 20,000 more than before – so dealers can also be supplied economically with spare parts in small quantities and with shorter order cycles.

[Read more…] about Continental expands logistics center for car aftermarket

Formlabs launches new generation of 3D printers

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Formlabs, the designer and manufacturer of 3D printing systems, has launched two new advanced professional Low Force Stereolithography 3D printers to its hardware lineup: Form 3 and Form 3L.

LFS 3D printing is an advanced form of stereolithography (SLA) that delivers consistently flawless parts.

The LFS process uses a flexible tank to drastically reduce the forces of the peel process, providing incredible surface finish and detail, and linear illumination to deliver accurate, repeatable parts.

[Read more…] about Formlabs launches new generation of 3D printers

Alstom commissions the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway industry

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Alstom‘s Le Creusot site in France has unveiled the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway sector, developed and manufactured by its supplier Farman, a subsidiary of the Galilé group, which specialises in robotic installations.

This investment in innovation of over a million euros is aligned with the development strategy for the Alstom site in Le Creusot, the group’s centre of excellence for bogie design and production.

The site’s expertise is deployed in major rail projects such as the new-generation RER and Avelia Horizon, the fifth generation of TGV.

[Read more…] about Alstom commissions the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway industry

Isra Vision launches ‘quad-camera sensor solution’ for bin picking

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Isra Vision has launched what it says is a “quad-camera sensor solution” for bin picking.

Robot-guided bin picking is significantly increasing the level of automation in industrial production, while also enabling maximum flexibility.

That is why another large German supplier in the automotive sector has now chosen the PowerPick3D bin picking system. [Read more…] about Isra Vision launches ‘quad-camera sensor solution’ for bin picking

Infographic: How AI is streamlining the supply chain

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Noodle AI has produced an infographic to show how artificial intelligence is changing commerce

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. In fact, you may have interacted with it today and you didn’t even know it.

AI can streamline a lot of our daily business operations, freeing us up to tackle more difficult tasks.

Within the world of e-commerce, AI may be the key to streamlining the supply chain. [Read more…] about Infographic: How AI is streamlining the supply chain

Airbus chooses Stratasys system to 3D print components for new aircraft

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Stratasys has been chosen by Airbus to supply 3D printing and additive manufacturing systems for the production of components for aerospace company’s new plane. 

Airbus has already used the Stratasys FDM 3D Production System to produce 1,000 flight parts for use on its A350 XWB aircraft.

The 3D printed parts use a resin called Ultem 9085, which is certified to an Airbus material specifications to have a high strength to weight ratio and to be resistant to flame, smoke and toxicity – necessary for aircraft interiors.  [Read more…] about Airbus chooses Stratasys system to 3D print components for new aircraft

BMW and General Electric invest in Xometry manufacturing marketplace

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An online marketplace which offers custom-manufactured parts using 3D printing and machine learning to generate instant price quotes has raised $15 million in its latest funding round. 

Relatively new startup company Xometry – which rhymes with geometry and is pronounced zometry – has raised a total of $38 million since it was established in 2013.

The company already generates approximately $20 million in annual revenue and has hundreds of providers and more than 5,000 customers.  [Read more…] about BMW and General Electric invest in Xometry manufacturing marketplace