Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

process

Volume Graphics partners with industry consortium to improve rapid-prototyping of plastic mold inserts

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Volume Graphics, a provider of industrial computed tomography software, is partnering in a second joint project on “rapid tooling” with companies from a wide range of industries.

The company’s partnership is with the Kunststoff-Institut, in Germany.

As a project partner, Volume Graphics brings expertise in quality assurance and process optimization to the team via its advanced industrial computed tomography (CT) data-analysis software.

Christof Reinhart, CEO of Volume Graphics, says: “Working on this project with Kunststoff-Institut and partners is very important to us because we are convinced that industrial computed tomography can advance the future of rapid tooling. [Read more…] about Volume Graphics partners with industry consortium to improve rapid-prototyping of plastic mold inserts

Audi virtually tests assembly processes for concept car

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Audi is embracing virtual reality (VR) with the Audi e-tron GT concept car. Using VR glasses and controllers, employees from various departments test all assembly processes entirely virtually.

Audi has developed in-house software for the process, which relies on 360-degree scans that provide a three-dimensional indoor map. The technology is being used for the first time at the Neckarsulm site.

Workflows along the assembly line and the associated logistics processes are being tested in “3P workshops”.  3P stands for the Production Preparation Process, and is used for process validation.

[Read more…] about Audi virtually tests assembly processes for concept car

Innovation in industrial manufacturing taking many forms, finds Deloitte

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Not all types of innovation are created equal when it comes to the transformation taking place today in the industrial manufacturing sector.

A new report series, Innovation in Industrial Manufacturing, by Deloitte about innovation in industrial manufacturing shows that patent-based innovation – in both business process improvement and new product development – has become a key marker for how industrial companies are leveraging their research and development budgets to remain competitive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

In the report series, Deloitte reviewed the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) filings and citations of 43 Fortune 100 industrial manufacturers, between 2006-2018, and found important insights into how companies are investing in R&D, how digital technology is developing in the sector – specifically “exponential technologies” such as 3D printing, blockchain, cybersecurity, IoT, and so on – and outlines “winning approaches” to innovation for manufacturers. [Read more…] about Innovation in industrial manufacturing taking many forms, finds Deloitte

How Automation has Transformed the Delivery Process

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The world of logistics has, in recent years, been radically altered by automation.

More than ever before, the process of getting a package from one location to another has been put into the hands of machines, and the change is behind many of the recent improvements in packaging and distribution that even small businesses can enjoy.

But exactly how does automation impact the delivery process, and what changes might we continue to see in the future? Let’s take a look. [Read more…] about How Automation has Transformed the Delivery Process

Seat and Grupo Sesé launch a parts delivery service using drones

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The Seat factory in Martorell is the first Spanish plant to receive components via drone delivery. In collaboration with Grupo Sesé, the Spanish carmaker has a pioneering service connecting Sesé’s logistics centre in Abrera with the Seat factory using drones.

The first parts delivery service between two production plants in Spain by drone will deliver steering wheels and airbags to the Seat assembly lines.

The pilot project is being carried out under the supervision of the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA) and will go forward in an experimental phase with several flights per day.

[Read more…] about Seat and Grupo Sesé launch a parts delivery service using drones

BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

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Automotive giant BMW is providing an insight into its application of virtual and augmented reality in the company’s production system.

The company says the “fast and flexible” planning of new workstations in production is made possible by virtual reality and digitized 3D factory data.

It’s still a learning process but augmented reality technologies is making it possible to design training courses without any coding knowledge.

It also enables comparison between the camera image and CAD models for fast, straightforward quality checks of parts and vehicles. 

Full story below… 

[Read more…] about BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

Kiwi automation company Aurora shows off its palletizing robot

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New Zealand automation company Aurora demonstrates and describes its robotic palletizing system

Palletizing equipment is a critical component of many end-of-line processes. Without the right system in place, inefficiencies and production downtime can harm your bottom line.

One of Aurora’s popular solutions is the Fuji-Ace Robotic Palletizer. Often cited as the most advanced palletizer in the world, it is a high-capacity, energy efficient, easy-to-use machine that is streamlining the processes of packing and manufacturing facilities across the world.

In the words of one satisfied customer, site engineer Kendell Chapman of Seales Window: “The output of the system has improved capabilities over our last system. [Read more…] about Kiwi automation company Aurora shows off its palletizing robot

Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

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Six innovative companies have been nominated for the grand prize at the microtechnology trade show EPHJ, the leading showcase for watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors.

The jury of experts of the 2019 EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Fair has selected six highly innovative projects for the Exhibitors’ Grand Prix to be voted on by the exhibitors to select and announce the winner at the show, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18-21 June.

Levitation of machines, the green properties of supercritical CO2, machine learning algorithms, new hope for the 16 million people suffering from retinal vein occlusion, a machine that is mightier than a spark and a new fine-layer treatment process are just a few of the spectacular innovations proposed by the six nominees for the 2019 Exhibitors’ Grand Prix selected by the Jury for the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show. [Read more…] about Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

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

Efficient Robotics launches technology for biomolecule screening

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Efficient Robotics GmbH has announced the commercialisation of its Nano-Titer-Pipe (NTP) Screening Workstation for screening millions of biomolecules and cells in hours and days, as opposed to conventional technologies that takes weeks and even months.

The microfluidic platform  revolutionises the process of ultra-high throughput screening for the optimisation of enzymes, antibodies, proteins, microbial strains and mammalian cells, says the company.

The NTP Screening Workstation is said to be faster and more cost-effective than conventional technologies based on conventional “robotic arm” screening technology.

[Read more…] about Efficient Robotics launches technology for biomolecule screening