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Manufacturing industry ‘optimistic’ about post-pandemic recovery

July 9, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

More than 60 percent of professionals in the UK manufacturing industry expect the sector to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and return to business as usual by mid-2021, according to a new survey by SteelScout.

However, they highlighted issues in the wider supply chain which might impact the recovery, with almost 30 percent unable to access the materials they need and 36 percent adding that it is taking longer just to receive a “winning quote”.

One key driver behind the confidence in recovery is that 62 percent of respondents reported having orders waiting to be fulfilled once lockdown rules have eased. [Read more…] about Manufacturing industry ‘optimistic’ about post-pandemic recovery

Robots provide opportunities for restart after coronavirus pandemic, say industry leaders

June 29, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Robots provide opportunities for a restart of the economy after the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry leaders surveyed by Automatica, one of the largest industrial automation trade shows in the world.

Messe Munchen, which owns Automatica, says it did a survey and found the following:

84 percent of decision-makers expect more robot automation in German SMEs;
77 percent of decision-makers rely on mobile robotics to convert production quickly; and
76 percent of employees in SMEs want robotics training.

Even before the corona pandemic, the manufacturing industry in Germany was highly automated according to figures from the International Federation of Robotics and ranked third in robot density worldwide behind Singapore and South Korea. [Read more…] about Robots provide opportunities for restart after coronavirus pandemic, say industry leaders

ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

June 23, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

ForwardX Robotics, a provider of artificial intelligence and robotics solutions, says it will now offer Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) options for its collaborative mobile robots.

Whilst also offering outright sale and renting options, the RaaS subscription-based model aims to encourage supply chain operations to invest in innovation by allowing them to upgrade their facilities without the large upfront investment usually associated with automation projects.

Paul Qian, VP of sales at ForwardX Robotics, says: “The pressure on supply chains to deliver is growing with every day that passes and we know how much of an impact our solutions can have on facilities and their processes. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

June 12, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Global semiconductor manufacturing industry association SEMI has expressed its backing for the US government’s initiative to support to chipmaking in America.

Facing a staggering “50 percent decline” in the US share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity over the past 20 years, Congress has introduced the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act – also known as CHIPS for America Act.

The measures called for in the Act include a federal investment tax credit, which is “strongly supported” by SEMI, which represents the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. [Read more…] about SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

June 11, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

By Maya Xiao of Interact Analysis

The coronavirus pandemic which has devastated economies worldwide is expected to reduce revenues in the industrial robot market by more than 8 per cent, according to a study by Interact Analysis.

“After a weak 2019, we originally expected the 2020 robot market to recover strongly, but Covid-19 changed the market revenue growth forecast from 4.8 percent to -3.6 percent,” writes Maya Xiao, automation market expert at Interact Analysis.

Global industrial robot shipments experienced negative growth for four consecutive quarters from mid-2018, she says. At the end of 2019, recovery signs appeared, and the mid-term growth rate turned positive. This turnaround happened in the context of a continued slowdown in general global manufacturing activity, which led to weak spending on machinery and automation equipment. [Read more…] about Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

June 10, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Semiconductor fabrication companies are expected to log record spending of nearly $68 billion in 2021 after the 2020 lull caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry association SEMI.

“2021 is poised to mark a banner year for global fab equipment spending with 24 percent growth to a record $67.7 billion, 10 percent higher than the previously forecast US$65.7 billion,” says SEMI in a statement.

The organisation adds that all product segments look like they will provide “solid growth rates”. [Read more…] about Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

The impact of coronavirus on e-commerce with China

June 8, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

By Matt Rivera, marketing and business expansion advisor for Asian markets in China

The spread of coronavirus has undoubtedly shifted the entire global economy. Businesses of almost every sector needed to rapidly react and navigate the challenges presented by the virus to quickly overcome them and move forward.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to surge in Italy, Germany, Spain and nearly all over the world. Businesses in major global cities such as Rome and New York have been gravely affected by this unfortunate turn of events.

Companies are scrambling to mobilize responses, but the unpredictable nature of the virus, coupled with the obvious under-preparedness by business executives and government leaders, these responses have brought little to no success. [Read more…] about The impact of coronavirus on e-commerce with China

Siemens acquires provider of virtual training for industrial companies Vizendo

June 4, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Siemens has acquired Swedish service and software company Vizendo, a provider of virtual operator training for automotive manufacturing.

Virtual training enables industrial companies to reduce their training times and launch new products faster and in higher quality.

Karen Florschütz, CEO of the customer services business unit at Siemens, says: “Virtual training has huge growth potential. Vizendo’s service and software range ideally complements our digital services and thus our Digital Enterprise portfolio. [Read more…] about Siemens acquires provider of virtual training for industrial companies Vizendo

Stereotaxis robotic technology referenced in ‘over 400 scientific publications’

June 2, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Stereotaxis, a developer of robotic technologies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, says it has reached a significant milestone of over 400 scientific publications now documenting the clinical benefits of Stereotaxis robotic technology.

A complete, searchable database of all publications is available on the company’s website, at this link.

David Fischel, chairman and CEO of Stereotaxis, says: “The clinical benefits of Robotic Magnetic Navigation have been extensively validated in high-quality clinical literature and in the real-world treatment of over one-hundred-thousand arrhythmia patients. [Read more…] about Stereotaxis robotic technology referenced in ‘over 400 scientific publications’

5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

May 25, 2020 by Abdul Montaqim Leave a Comment

Special Report by Robotics and Automation News in association with SICK

It’s been almost 50 years since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, was established in the United States after much pressure from labour unions seeking more protection for workers.

In the half-century since OSHA’s creation, it is estimated that many thousands of workers’ lives have been saved and countless more have been kept out of harm’s way.

Today, OSHA, an agency of the Department of Labour, is more important than ever as people start returning to work after months of lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused almost 350,000 deaths worldwide to date, and infected 5.5 million more. [Read more…] about 5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter