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productivity

SICK launches ‘world’s first’ LiDAR multibeam scanner for small vehicles

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SICK Sensor Intelligence has launched what it describes as “the world’s first” LiDAR multibeam scanner with safe, solid-state technology for line-guided small vehicles.

The scanGrid2 safe multibeam scanner from SICK is the first of its kind in the world. The compact sensor uses a novel and in-house developed solid-state LiDAR technology to increase the productivity of small autonomous and line-guided transport vehicles.

Certified as a Type 2/SIL 1 safety sensor according to IEC 61496-3, the scanGrid2 can protect hazardous areas up to performance level c and works well for collision avoidance. An app and cloning function also ensure a high level of up time and fast fleet deployment. [Read more…] about SICK launches ‘world’s first’ LiDAR multibeam scanner for small vehicles

Gnarlywood chooses inVia Robotics to optimize fulfillment operations

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inVia Robotics, a provider of e-commerce warehouse automation solutions, says that the Gnarlywood Group, a provider of backend merchandising fulfillment solutions for entertainment brands, has selected inVia Logic AI-powered warehouse execution system software to modernize its Carlsbad, California warehouse.

The software will bring immediate picking and replenishment productivity gains that will later be increased with the addition of inVia Picker autonomous mobile robots.

Gnarlywood has seen unprecedented growth in demand for its entertainment merchandise and has chosen inVia’s software to bring efficiency to its fulfillment processes. [Read more…] about Gnarlywood chooses inVia Robotics to optimize fulfillment operations

Ultimation Industries introduces warehouse robots from Nord-Modules

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Ultimation Industries has introduced autonomous mobile robot – also known as warehouse robots – from Nord-Modules. The company says they provide its clients with more flexible material handling solutions. 

They provide more flexible material handling when used in conjunction with Motor-Driven Roller (MDR) and other conveyor systems, according to Ultimation Industries. Ultimation is a woman-owned leader in conveyor technology and automation for over 30 years.

Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries, says: “AMRs have become common in large distribution companies such as Amazon and some Fortune 500 companies. [Read more…] about Ultimation Industries introduces warehouse robots from Nord-Modules

GreyOrange upgrades its warehouse automation system to enable movement of heavy items

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GreyOrange, a warehouse robotics and automation company, says its GreyMatter fulfillment operating system now supports unmanned heavy payload movement, directing its Ranger Intralogistics robots to move heavy payload inventory within warehouse zones.

GreyMatter continuously assesses Distribution Center (DC) performance and deploys intelligent Ranger IL robots to transfer a diverse range of inventory payloads that weigh up to 2,205 pounds—on pallets, racks, cages or trolleys—within a facility.

GreyMatter’s mobile-spatial intelligence enables these Ranger robots to operate accident-free, utilizing LiDAR based SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) to perceive surroundings and select collision-free routes. [Read more…] about GreyOrange upgrades its warehouse automation system to enable movement of heavy items

Cargo Cove selects inVia Logic warehouse execution system software to optimize its facility

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Cargo Cove has chosen inVia Robotics’ warehouse execution system to accelerate digital transformation in its Jacksonville, Florida facility.

inVia Robotics is a provider of autonomous mobile robots and a AI-driven optimization software, specializing in e-commerce.

Cargo Cove will take advantage of inVia’s phased approach to automation and first deploy the inVia PickMate application to direct workers along the most efficient route through the warehouse to take products from inventory to pack out. Later this year, they will add inVia Picker autonomous mobile robots, which will augment existing labor and further increase productivity and accuracy rates.  [Read more…] about Cargo Cove selects inVia Logic warehouse execution system software to optimize its facility

ABB says its robots have boosted productivity at Nestlé’s Brazilian plants by ‘over 50 percent’

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ABB says its robots have boosted productivity at Nestlé’s Brazilian plants by more than 50 percent. The company says its SafeMove collaborative robot technology “enhances employee safety while increasing efficiency at Nestle’s confectionary factories”. (See video below.)

ABB robots are supporting Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, to improve the productivity of pallet loading in its chocolate manufacturing facilities in Brazil “by 53 percent”, using a new ABB palletizing robot solution.

While the company currently uses ABB Robotics palletizing solutions, the latest requirement was for a more compact cell that could fit into a smaller area and easily be replicated at other sites. An important requirement was for the robot to safely interact with employees, who occasionally need to enter the palletizing area to speed up pallet changes. [Read more…] about ABB says its robots have boosted productivity at Nestlé’s Brazilian plants by ‘over 50 percent’

More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

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Today’s industrial robots must fit into smaller spaces, so as much “manufacturing real estate” as possible is dedicated to production. This places pressure on manufacturers to machine smaller, tighter components for these machines. Here, Harish Maniyoor, global product manager for automotive at the machine tooling specialist Sandvik Coromant explains why power skiving is the answer.

The overall number of industrial robots operating in factories worldwide grew to 2.7 million in 2019, according to the 2020 World Robotics Report by the International Federation of Robotics. 

This was a 12 percent increase from 2018 and a historic high. Robots factor into a range of industries, from automotive and aerospace to the food industry and pharmaceuticals – yet all of these sectors have common requirements.

Not only must these robots be smaller, but also lighter with reduced inertia and able to perform more exact movements with optimal speed and efficiency. The challenge is on for manufacturers to machine smaller and more precisely engineered-components – like internal gear reducers – with more flexible designs. [Read more…] about More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

OnRobot releases ‘world’s most powerful’ electric vacuum gripper for robot arms

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OnRobot has released what it describes as the “world’s most powerful” electric vacuum gripper for robot arms. 

OnRobot says its new VGP20 electric vacuum gripper provides a powerful and versatile solution for challenging palletising scenarios including heavy, bulky and porous surfaces.

Large, unwieldy bags of dog food, non-airtight clothing or consumer goods packages, and bulky, porous cardboard boxes. These are just some examples of demanding packaging and palletising applications that OnRobot’s new VGP20 gripper can address. [Read more…] about OnRobot releases ‘world’s most powerful’ electric vacuum gripper for robot arms

Locus Robotics raises $150 million in latest funding round, bringing its valuation to ‘$1 billion’

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Locus Robotics, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, has raised $150 million in Series E funding, led by Tiger Global Management and BOND.

The round builds on support from existing investors including Scale Venture Partners and Prologis Ventures, the venture capital arm of Prologis, the global leader in logistics real estate. It also brings the valuation of Locus Robotics to $1 billion, according to the company.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, says: “This new round of funding marks an important inflection point for Locus Robotics. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics raises $150 million in latest funding round, bringing its valuation to ‘$1 billion’

Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

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Okuma, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial equipment, has introduced “conversational programming” as standard on its CNC machines.

Okuma says its Advanced One Touch (AOT) conversational programming software enables shops to “easily create programs without the need for highly-trained programmers, achieve faster setup times, and increase machine productivity”.

Okuma America says that select machines from Okuma’s core product line now come equipped with the Advanced One Touch-Interactive Graphics Function (AOT-IGF), the conversational programming software designed for Okuma’s lathes, machining centers and multitasking machines. [Read more…] about Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines