Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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The Impact of CNC Machining Across Industries

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In the realm of modern manufacturing, few technologies have been as transformative as computer numerical control (CNC) machining.

This method, where computer programming guides the movement of factory tools and machinery, has revolutionized how we produce everything from everyday items to complex components.

Its journey from the earliest numerical control systems to today’s sophisticated multi-axis CNC machines encapsulates a saga of innovation and technological advancement.

As industries from aerospace to healthcare continuously evolve, CNC machining stands as a pivotal force driving this change, enabling unparalleled precision, efficiency, and versatility in production. [Read more…] about The Impact of CNC Machining Across Industries

Tormach to unveil cutting-edge real-time motion control in ROS at ROSCon 2023

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Tormach, a US-based CNC machine and industrial robot manufacturer, will make its inaugural appearance at ROSCon 2023, taking place in New Orleans from October 18 to 20.

This year’s event will mark Tormach’s debut on the ROSCon stage, where the company will present its “groundbreaking fusion of real-time motion control within the Robot Operating System (ROS) ecosystem”, under the title: Real-Time Motion Control in ROS: Uniting HAL with Tormach’s ZA6 Robot.

Tormach’s presentation will explore how its expertise in CNC motion control has led to the integration of the MachineKit/LinuxCNC Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) with ROS, resulting in a seamless interface that empowers high-performance, real-time motion control. [Read more…] about Tormach to unveil cutting-edge real-time motion control in ROS at ROSCon 2023

CNH Industrial unveils ‘first’ electric tractor prototype with autonomous features

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CNH Industrial has unveiled the New Holland T4 Electric Power – which the company says is “the industry’s first all-electric light utility tractor prototype with autonomous features” – at its Tech Day in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, at the start of this year.

A concentrated effort between CNH’s team of experts in the USA (Burr Ridge, Detroit) and Italy (Modena) was able to halve this prototype’s development time thanks to collaboration with CNH’s strategic partner Monarch Tractor – an electrified agtech innovator based in California, USA. CNH says its expertise and resources, in conjunction with Monarch’s disruptive technology, “made this world-first result possible”.

This product milestone is the latest development in CNH’s strategic plan for electrification. The prototype presented is branded New Holland Agriculture, while the commercial model will also extend to the CNH Case IH Brand. It follows the launch of the multi award-winning e-Source power pack – an external generator for electric farm implements. [Read more…] about CNH Industrial unveils ‘first’ electric tractor prototype with autonomous features

Port of Rotterdam selects Airwayz as partner to develop prototype drone airspace

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Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoR), in the Netherlands, has selected Airwayz as the partner to build the U-Space Airspace prototype for the port industrial complex.

The partnership is set for a period of two years in which the U-Space services will be set up and the Airwayz unmanned traffic management (UTM) system will be configured to the ports’ needs and requirements.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority believes that monitoring the lower airspace and offering UAS traffic services will in future greatly support drone services and allow them to thrive. [Read more…] about Port of Rotterdam selects Airwayz as partner to develop prototype drone airspace

Desolination: Unique energy and water project combines solar power and desalination

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A unique, €10 million “Desolination” project, involving 19 partners and 12 countries, aims to develop a “first-of-its-kind efficient coupling of concentrated solar power and desalination techniques”.

The Horizon 2020 Desolination project started in June, this year and will last 48 months until May 2025.

During this time, innovative technologies related to both concentrated solar power and desalination will be designed to improve the efficiency of existing concepts. [Read more…] about Desolination: Unique energy and water project combines solar power and desalination

Siemens makes first industrial 5G router available

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Siemens has released its first industrial 5G router – the Scalance MUM856-1. The device connects local industrial applications to public 5G, 4G (LTE), and 3G (UMTS) mobile wireless networks.

The router can be used to remotely monitor and service plants, machines, control elements, and other industrial devices via a public 5G network – flexibly and with high data rates.

Demand for this type of solution is growing in industry. In addition, the device can be integrated into private 5G networks. The Scalance MUM856-1 therefore supports future-oriented applications such as mobile robots in manufacturing, autonomous vehicles in logistics or augmented reality applications for service technicians. [Read more…] about Siemens makes first industrial 5G router available

GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot

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GSR, the deep-sea exploratory division of the DEME Group, has successfully recovered its prototype deep-seabed mining robot – which had become uncoupled from a cable connecting it to a surface vessel – from the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

Patania II – GSR’s purpose-built prototype nodule collector – is currently being trialled in 4,500 metre water depth in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean.

On its final dive in the GSR area on 25 April, a lifting point separated and Patania II was uncoupled from the 5 km cable that connects it to the surface vessel. [Read more…] about GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot

AImotive and Sony partner to develop ADAS capability for Vision-S prototype

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AImotive, the most highly-funded automated driving technology company in Europe, is working with Sony to develop its automated driving software stack with Sony’s Vision-S Prototype (main picture and below).

According to Sony, the Vision-S – announced at CES 2020 – is conceived to re-imagine mobility as we know it, by integrating the advanced ADAS and automated driving systems with the latest electric vehicle technology and an innovative entertainment system.

Sony disclosed an update of the Vision-S concept on January 11 at the all-digital CES 2021, highlighting that prototypes are already being tested on public roads. [Read more…] about AImotive and Sony partner to develop ADAS capability for Vision-S prototype

Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

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Wikifactory, an online collaboration platform for physical product design and development, has completed a “total upgrade” that it says will enable users the ability to make anything with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection.

Wikifactory says its new Collaborative CAD Tool with in-built chat will “transform the way products are made”, enabling designers, engineers, manufacturers and enterprise to collaborate remotely on virtually any CAD model, from concept through to finished prototype.

The new Collaborative CAD Tool allows product developers of all skill levels in virtually any industry to explore, review and discuss 3D models in over 30 file formats in real-time. [Read more…] about Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

Automotive Parts and Pieces: How Concept Vehicles Actually Become Reality

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Did you know it takes a full three years to take a vehicle from the concept phase all the way to production?

That’s three years, thousands of human hours and millions of dollars to get a brand new vehicle from the drawing board to your driveway.

It’s quite an amazing feat when you really think about it – prototyping in the automotive industry! [Read more…] about Automotive Parts and Pieces: How Concept Vehicles Actually Become Reality