Robotics & Automation News

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precision engineering

Méca-Précis utilizes robotic measurement cell to eliminate inspection bottlenecks

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French precision engineering company Méca-Précis has automated part inspection using a robotic measurement cell that combines a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) from Mitutoyo with automation technology from a company called Engineering Data.

The system was introduced after inspection processes became a bottleneck as production volumes increased, particularly for aerospace and space-sector customers that require 100 percent dimensional inspection of every part before and after surface treatment.

Founded in 1975 and based in Châtillon-sur-Indre, Méca-Précis employs 45 people and operates 25 machine tools, including 18 CNC machines. [Read more…] about Méca-Précis utilizes robotic measurement cell to eliminate inspection bottlenecks

Why Precision Swiss Machining is Critical to the Future of Robotics and Automation

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The rapid growth of robotics, factory automation, and intelligent manufacturing systems is transforming industrial production worldwide.

Modern manufacturing environments increasingly rely on highly precise mechanical systems capable of operating continuously with minimal deviation, especially as automation technologies become more advanced and interconnected.

From collaborative robots and automated assembly systems to sensor-driven manufacturing equipment, precision-engineered components are now fundamental to industrial automation performance. [Read more…] about Why Precision Swiss Machining is Critical to the Future of Robotics and Automation

Connector Pin Processing: End-Face Finish and Burr Control

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High-precision connector pins fail in the field for reasons a standard diameter check won’t catch.

The parting-off face – that circular cross-section left after the cutoff operation – is where burrs form first, where Ra values quietly climb out of spec, and where poor deburring technology choices create field returns nobody traces back to the machining lot.

Solving section surface finish problems starts with understanding why the end face behaves so differently from the turned barrel – and which deburring approaches are actually suited to the pin geometry. [Read more…] about Connector Pin Processing: End-Face Finish and Burr Control

7 CNC-Machined Components Every Industrial Robot Depends On

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Industrial robots are sold as complete systems, but under the housing, they are assemblies of individually machined parts. Every joint, every actuator mount, and every end-of-arm tool starts as a block of metal on a CNC machine before it becomes part of a functioning robot.

This matters to robotics companies because the quality and lead time of these machined components directly affect how quickly a robot moves from prototype to production. A bearing housing that is 0.05mm out of spec creates play in a joint that compounds across the kinematic chain.

A gearbox casing with a poor surface finish wears faster under load. These are not theoretical problems. They are the kinds of issues that delay product launches and drive up warranty costs. [Read more…] about 7 CNC-Machined Components Every Industrial Robot Depends On

Robotic skin allows tiny robots to navigate complex, fragile environments

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UC San Diego researchers have developed a soft robotic skin that enables vine robots that are just a few millimeters wide to navigate convoluted paths and fragile environments.

To accomplish this, the researchers integrated a very thin layer of actuators made of liquid crystal elastomer at strategic locations in the soft skin. The robot is steered by controlling the pressure inside its body and temperature of the actuators.

The researchers showed that a robot equipped with this skin could successfully navigate a model of the arteries in a human body. The robot also was able to navigate a model of the interior of a jet engine. [Read more…] about Robotic skin allows tiny robots to navigate complex, fragile environments

Clean Cuts, Smarter Builds: How Laser Cutting Enhances Robotics and Automation

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Robotics and automation are only as precise as the tools that support them. As factories become smarter and systems more integrated, the need for ultra-accurate components continues to grow.

That’s where laser cutting steps in – not just as a tool, but as a foundational part of modern fabrication. Whether it’s shaping the housing of a robotic arm or customizing parts for industrial machines, laser cutting delivers speed, precision, and adaptability in ways that traditional methods often can’t match. [Read more…] about Clean Cuts, Smarter Builds: How Laser Cutting Enhances Robotics and Automation

No way out: The science of sealing technologies

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In the complex world of machinery, vehicles, and industrial systems, it is often the unseen components and materials that play the most critical roles.

Among these are sealing technologies – essential elements that ensure equipment operates efficiently, safely, and reliably.

Seals may seem simple at first glance, but behind each one lies a highly sophisticated combination of materials science, engineering design, and manufacturing precision. [Read more…] about No way out: The science of sealing technologies