Robotics & Automation News

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Comau introduces new robot for ‘sensitive’ environments

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Comau has introduced its new Racer-5 Sensitive Environments (Racer-5 SE), a high-speed industrial robot designed for the special and sensitive settings that characterize the pharmaceutical, health and beauty, food and beverage and electronics industries.

Featuring a protective water, heat and grease-resistant coating, the ruggedized 6-axis articulated robot fully responds to the demand for IP67 certification, high-grade ISO 5 Cleanroom classification (ISO 14644-1), protection from chemical agents and the need to reduce the risk of contamination. It also has NSF H1 food grade lubrication.

Further benefits of the dedicated robot include reduced operator risk when working with potentially harmful chemicals and substances, as well as increased productivity, traceability, and quality. [Read more…] about Comau introduces new robot for ‘sensitive’ environments

New large ABB robots ‘increase speed and flexibility’ in electric vehicle battery production

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ABB is adding two new robot product lines to its portfolio of large robots for complex manufacturing applications.

ABB says the new robots deliver “enhanced speed, accuracy, flexibility, and a more robust design”, including integrated process cabling, adding that the ABB IRB 5710 and 5720 robots deliver “increased productivity and enhanced performance with higher uptime for applications” including electric vehicle manufacture, foundry, forging, rubber, plastics, and metal fabrication.

Available in eight variants, the IRB 5710 and IRB 5720 present a choice of options for payloads from 70 kg to 180 kg and reaches from 2.3 m to 3 m. [Read more…] about New large ABB robots ‘increase speed and flexibility’ in electric vehicle battery production

ABB unveils new large robots for material handling in EV battery production

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ABB is adding two new robot ranges to its portfolio of large robots for complex manufacturing applications.

Delivering “enhanced speed, accuracy, flexibility, and a more robust design including integrated process cabling”, ABB’s IRB 5710 and 5720 robots deliver increased productivity and enhanced performance with higher uptime for applications including electric vehicle (EV) manufacture, foundry, forging, rubber, plastics, and metal fabrication.

Available in eight variants, the IRB 5710 and IRB 5720 present a choice of options for payloads from 70 kg to 180 kg and reaches from 2.3 m to 3 m. [Read more…] about ABB unveils new large robots for material handling in EV battery production

Aim Robotics becomes part of Kassow Robots’ ecosystem

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Aim Robotics, a Danish company with headquarters in Copenhagen and an R&D centre in Odense, and Kassow Robots, also a Danish company with its headquarters in Copenhagen, have entered into a partnership.

The two companies have developed an “innovative dispensing solution” for collaborative robot use, and Aim is now part of the Kassow Robots ecosystem.

Dieter Pletscher, sales manager at Kassow Robots, says: “Innovation is crucial to us, also when it comes to our network. This electronically based robotic dispenser by Aim Robotics offers great advantages to our customers. High repeatability and quality control help companies automate their dispensing application very efficiently and effectively.” [Read more…] about Aim Robotics becomes part of Kassow Robots’ ecosystem

ABB launches new SCARA robot range for ‘faster, high precision assembly’

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ABB is expanding its range of SCARA robots with the launch of the IRB 920T.

The company says the machine is designed to meet the requirements of the electronics industry for high-speed production in increasingly complex manufacturing processes.

The IRB 920T provides “the highest levels of speed, accuracy and repeatability for assembly, picking and handling tasks”, says ABB. [Read more…] about ABB launches new SCARA robot range for ‘faster, high precision assembly’

SICK shrinks its PowerProx sensor to miniature size

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SICK has shrunk its versatile, high-performance PowerProx sensor into a space-saving miniature housing to reach the longest distances ever achieved with such a compact device.

The tiny SICK WTT4SL PowerProx Mini photoelectric sensor measures just 12.2 x 41.8 x 17.3 mm yet delivers outstanding performance to detect objects up to 1.3metres away. It is therefore ideal for high-speed production and logistics applications.

The PowerProx mini can be integrated into tight machine spaces such as the grippers of picking robots or for materials handling duties in AGVs, as well as for empty bay and clearance detection in high-bay warehouses. [Read more…] about SICK shrinks its PowerProx sensor to miniature size

Alio launches ‘world’s first and only’ 6 degrees-of-freedom nano-positioner

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Alio Industries has launched what it claims to be the “world’s first and only 6 degrees-of-freedom nano-positioner with 60 degrees tip and tilt travel.

Alio Industries says the 60-degree tip/tilt travel of its Angulares Hybrid Hexapod is “by far the most angular travel range available from any 6-degrees-of-freedom positioner on the market”.

The Angulares features precision crossed roller bearing guides, optical incremental or absolute encoder feedback on all axes, linear motor and/or servo ball screw drives, unlimited programmable tool center point locations and coordinate offsets, and zero backlash on all axes. [Read more…] about Alio launches ‘world’s first and only’ 6 degrees-of-freedom nano-positioner

ABB launches new robot and controller

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ABB is introducing a new harsh environment version of its IRB 1100 robot and OmniCore controller, designed with enhanced protection against water and dust.

The entire body of the new IRB 1100 model has an IP67 rating, with all electrical components sealed against contaminants.

This makes it resistant to water and provides the robot with “complete protection from dust ingress”, claims ABB. [Read more…] about ABB launches new robot and controller

Stäubli launches new range of collaborative robots

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Stäubli has released a line of five new collaborative robots based on the TX2 industrial robots, claiming they are the “world’s safest, most collaborative cobots”.

The company says the new cobots “offer exceptional productivity and the safest man–machine collaboration on the market”.

The TX2touch is the only cobot with the SIL3/PLe safety level. It can handle loads of up to 20 kg and is equipped with a highly responsive skin system. [Read more…] about Stäubli launches new range of collaborative robots

Connecting revolutions: Exclusive interview with Stäubli Robotics automotive boss

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A range of Stäubli robots
A range of Stäubli robots

Stäubli is one of the first industrial automation companies, having been established all the way back in the late-1800s and quickly developing what was then advanced technology for the weaving industry before the century was out. The company even owns Jacquard machines, Jacquard being the pioneering manufacturer of looms that defined the original Industrial Revolution – and the inventor of punched cards to control machines, from which flowed computer programming principles. 

Then in the early 1980s, Stäubli bought the Unimation business from Westinghouse, Unimation being the company which developed the first industrial robot arm, the Unimate.

Today, Stäubli is still one of world’s largest industrial robotics and automation companies, and its product manager in the US is Paul Deady.  [Read more…] about Connecting revolutions: Exclusive interview with Stäubli Robotics automotive boss