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5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

June 15, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Written by Pippa Strickland from iDiveblue.com

Robotics have changed our lives in remarkable ways and when you consider the vastness of our oceans (which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface), it makes sense that robotics is being harnessed to conduct research and preserve our ocean health.

From improving ship fuel efficiency to repopulating reefs and removing marine litter, here are five ways that robotic innovations are leading to a brighter future for our ocean-dwelling species. [Read more…] about 5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

3D printing moving into mainstream manufacturing, says GlobalData

April 11, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

3D printing technology is slowly cementing its role as a key part of the manufacturing mix, continuing its journey towards industry 4.0.

It has already lowered the barriers to entry for manufacturing, allowing enterprises across many industries to respond to customer demands while offering greater customization of products and speed to market, says GlobalData, a data analytics company.

Venkata Naveen, disruptive tech analyst at GlobalData, says: “3D printing has leaped from the proof-of-concept stage to a viable manufacturing alternative, demonstrating its potential in real-world environments, notably in industries such as aerospace and defense, construction, consumer and automotive.” [Read more…] about 3D printing moving into mainstream manufacturing, says GlobalData

ATI Industrial Automation launches new orbital sander for robots

February 21, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

ATI Industrial Automation has introduced the AOV-10 Axially-Compliant Orbital Sander, specifically designed for robotic surface preparation and finishing.

With built-in compliance, the AOV-10 is well-suited for many different robotic applications—even those that require a light touch.

A pneumatically-actuated compliance mechanism allows for dynamic control of contact forces and ensures an ideal result every time. [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation launches new orbital sander for robots

How does automation within the UK compare to the German industry?

October 31, 2019 by Liv Leave a Comment

In a world where everything we do and the majority of the processes for the products we produce are automated, is the UK lagging behind when compared to its German counterpart?

With other countries advancing far quicker than the UK, and robotics and automation swiftly being rolled out within many businesses, it’s time Britain changed its mindset and got involved in what is being known as, the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

Studies found that in 2015 the UK had 10 robots for every million hours worked, compared with 133 in Germany, and by 2017 the UK represented a mere 0.6 per cent of industrial robotics shipments. [Read more…] about How does automation within the UK compare to the German industry?

HRG launches new ‘automated guided vehicle’

October 22, 2019 by Mai Tao

HRG has launched what it describes as an “automated guided vehicle”, although it appears to have the technology that is also found in autonomous mobile robots, which are slightly different.

AGVs are older technology and are limited in their ability to navigate their way round a facility – usually, magnetic strips are fixed to the floor to guide them.

HRG says its AGV integrates “simultaneous localization and mapping”, or SLAM, the navigation technology that gives AMRs their autonomy. [Read more…] about HRG launches new ‘automated guided vehicle’

All Axis Robotics manufactures custom robot arm end-effectors with MakerBot 3D printer

September 26, 2019 by David Edwards

MakerBot, a 3D printing equipment supplier, says All Axis Robotics is implementing the MakerBot “Method” manufacturing workstation – or 3D printer – into its automation processes to produce custom tooling parts for its legacy machines as well as customers.

All Axis Robotics is a Dallas, Texas-based machine shop and a leader in turnkey custom robot solutions for other machine shops and manufacturing facilities in need of automated machine tending.

Customers enlist the expertise of All Axis Robotics’ mechanical and manufacturing engineers to streamline their manufacturing operations with robotic arms and custom end-effectors, including those for CNC machine tending, automated part sanding, and brake press machine tending, among others. [Read more…] about All Axis Robotics manufactures custom robot arm end-effectors with MakerBot 3D printer

ZF and Foton open joint facility in China to produce automated commercial vehicles

July 9, 2019 by Mai Tao

German automotive components giant ZF Friedrichshafen and Chinese commercial vehicles manufacturer Foton have jointly opened a facility to produce automated commercial vehicles.

The joint plant in Jiaxing will produce automatic commercial vehicle transmissions for the Chinese market, and the partners say they see “excellent market potential for automated commercial vehicles in the next five years”.

At the end of 2016, ZF entered into two joint ventures with Foton, a Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, to produce and sell commercial vehicle transmissions. [Read more…] about ZF and Foton open joint facility in China to produce automated commercial vehicles

Vertical farming: Professor Changhoo Chun discusses Samsung’s horticulture LEDs

May 13, 2019 by Anna

A ‘smart farm’ is an intelligent farming system that applies information and communication technologies (ICT) to agriculture.

One example of a smart farming system is vertical farming, wherein food is produced in vertically stacked layers.

Vertical farming has been attracting attention in recent times as a potential future agricultural model thanks to the advantages it offers, including its economical use of space and resources, environmental-friendly form of cultivation, and the reliable harvesting.

[Read more…]

Samsung moves into the vertical farming market

May 2, 2019 by Anna

Agricultural innovations are essential for feeding our ever-growing global population.

Especially these days, as industrialisation and global warming continue to negatively affect soil fertility and reduce the amount of arable land.

According to the United Nations, the world’s population is set to reach 9.8 billion by 2050.

[Read more…]

Toyota introduces station for the production and supply of hydrogen from renewable energy

April 25, 2019 by Anna

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has newly introduced ‘SimpleFuel’ to its Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

SimpleFuel is a small water electrolysis-based machine for hydrogen generation and filling that can produce, store, and supply hydrogen by making use of electricity generated from solar power.

It uses electricity from solar panels at the plant site to produce low-carbon hydrogen from the electrolysis of water, which is then supplied to fuel-cell (FC) forklifts after it is compressed and pressurised.

[Read more…]