Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

productivity

ABB says its new 3D inspection robot cell makes quality control testing ‘10 times faster’

by

ABB has unveiled a new 3D inspection robot cell which it claims makes quality control testing “10 times faster”.

The industrial automation giant says its 3D quality inspection (3DQI) robot cell is “capable of detecting defects of less than half the width of a human hair and imperceptible to the naked eye”.

It adds that the cell will “dramatically accelerate production by providing fast, accurate testing to make metrology easier and less time consuming”. [Read more…] about ABB says its new 3D inspection robot cell makes quality control testing ‘10 times faster’

What does the term ‘productivity’ actually mean in economics?

by

Here at Robotics and Automation News, we’ve often wondered what factors determine the productivity of a nation or industry, market or economy. There is a reason for this that has to with our website’s editorial subject matter and possibly our survival as a business.

In other words, we would like to expand our editorial coverage, and we would like to monetise. Our website has millions of readers, a significant proportion of whom are business people, so we have a marketable audience.

So far, we have mostly carried niche industrial news. Now, we want to add to that broader, global industry-wide and indeed world economy-wide, perspectives that may affect their growth and success. [Read more…] about What does the term ‘productivity’ actually mean in economics?

Universal Robots partners with Phillips Machine Tools India

by

Universal Robots is extending its American partnership with Phillips Corporation to India, joining hands with the largest global distributor of best-selling Haas CNC machines for Indian manufacturers to boost productivity.

In an effort to boost productivity and help manufacturers emerge from the pandemic Universal Robots (UR) joins hands with Phillips Machine Tools India, part of Phillips Corporation, the world’s largest Haas factory outlet.

Together, they are all set to offer machine shops a safe, user-friendly solution to optimize uptime and enable significant advantages to manufacturers in India. [Read more…] about Universal Robots partners with Phillips Machine Tools India

Mazak launches new laser processing machine for small and medium diameter tube

by

Yamazaki Mazak is launching a new high-productivity laser processing machine specifically designed for the high-speed, large lot cutting of small and medium diameter tube.

The new FT-150 FIBER is a compact laser processing machine that benefits from an ergonomic design, with the operator area, loading station and unloading station all located on the same side.

Equipped with a 3.0kW fiber resonator, the FT-150 FIBER can process single workpieces up to 6,500mm in length and 150kg in weight, with a maximum tube diameter of 152.4mm. 8,000mm and 180kg options are also available. [Read more…] about Mazak launches new laser processing machine for small and medium diameter tube

Opinion: Automation as a complement, not a replacement of the human workforce

by

By Dr Paul Rivers, CEO, Guidance Automation

Smart automation has the potential to deliver great economic benefits, but there remain many concerns that the use of AI and robotics could displace many existing jobs.

With the desire for automation increasing and more sectors looking to deploy the technology, particularly within manufacturing, logistics and distribution, it’s important to understand how automation can augment the workforce, rather than replacing it. [Read more…] about Opinion: Automation as a complement, not a replacement of the human workforce

Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

by

Robotics and artificial intelligence will drive a deep and transformative change in the agricultural world during the coming decades, according to a new report by IDTechEx.

Seeing, localising, and taking plant-specific intelligent action are no longer the exclusive realm of humans, says the research company.

Machines have demonstrated the technical viability and the emphasis has long shifted to the finer details of return on investment, reliability, business model, and so on. [Read more…] about Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

Locus Robotics launches new design service for fast implementation of warehouse robots for rapidly growing e-commerce sector

by

Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment centers, has unveiled a new service which is says will speed up the implementation of warehouse robots for the rapidly growing e-commerce sector.

The Locus Rapid Assessment & Design Service, or “RAD” is said to enable prospects and customers to quickly evaluate the productivity benefits and return on investment of installing Locus’ collaborative robotics solution.

The company says this will help ensure that businesses are “ready to meet high demand in the post-pandemic economy”. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics launches new design service for fast implementation of warehouse robots for rapidly growing e-commerce sector

Industrial automation is ‘paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger’

by

The industrial automation sector is “paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger”, according to a report by GlobalData.

The industrial automation sector was not in a great place before Covid-19 struck, having been slowed by flat capital expenditure and declining industrial production, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The virus has since closed factory after factory worldwide with workers sent home. The reality is that despite much hype over the years, advanced factory automation has not been substituted for human workers at scale. [Read more…] about Industrial automation is ‘paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger’

DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

by

DHL Supply Chain is installing 1,000 warehouse robots from Locus Robotics. The world’s largest logistics company will integrate the Locus robots at 10 of its US facilities in 2020.

DHL and Locus Robotics have an ongoing working relationship, but the new initiative significantly expands this partnership.

The companies have signed an “Expanded Multi-Site Services Agreement” outlining the terms. [Read more…] about DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

Okamura to integrate RightHand Robotics’ piece-picking solution in its warehouses

by

Okamura is to integrate solutions from RightHand Robotics into its warehouses to further automate operations. 

RHR’s autonomous piece-picking solution, RightPick2, will be integrated with Okamura’s logistics solutions, such as AutoStore, beginning this month.

Okamura is one of Japan’s leading providers of high quality products and services for offices, education, commercial facilities and distribution centers. [Read more…] about Okamura to integrate RightHand Robotics’ piece-picking solution in its warehouses