Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

screw

What Are the Benefits of Collaborative Robot Screwdriving?

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Many people think that robotic screwdriving isn’t a good idea because automated screw driving seems like a difficult, costly, and expensive thing to manage and achieve.

They think that these automated screw driving machines are huge machines that can manage only a small set of operations and are suitable only for high-volume manufacturing businesses and not for small to medium-sized businesses, however, that is not the case.

Robotics screwdriving provides a way through which any business can automate the task of screwdriving and the best thing is that collaborative robots can be used for different processes and situations, even for high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. [Read more…] about What Are the Benefits of Collaborative Robot Screwdriving?

Specifying a Linear Actuator: 3 Key Factors

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By Japh Humphries, UK Sales & Commercial Manager, Matara UK

Linear motion systems are business critical across an extensive range of industries, from food processing plants, to semiconductor manufacturers and packaging producers to name but a few.

In fact, virtually anywhere that requires loads to be cost-effectively moved in a straight line, safely, securely and precisely.

These systems have improved automation whilst simultaneously lowering production costs, making them invaluable. [Read more…] about Specifying a Linear Actuator: 3 Key Factors

Robotiq launches new screwdriving solution for robots

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Robotiq, a provider of tools and software solutions for the collaborative robot market, announced today the launch of its Screwdriving Solution.

Designed for manufacturers looking to automate screwdriving applications, this solution’s intuitive features eliminate the need for expensive, complicated custom-designed solutions.

Catherine Leclerc, product owner at Robotiq, says: “Screwdriving is a dull and repetitive task that often leads to fastening inconsistencies and stress injuries. [Read more…] about Robotiq launches new screwdriving solution for robots

OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

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OnRobot, the maker of tools for collaborative robots, has released a screwdriver end-effector for collaborative robots. (See video below.)

OnRobot says its “smart, complete-out-of-the-box” Screwdriver allows manufacturers to automate a wide range of assembly processes quickly, easily, and flexibly.

The company says this provides welcome relief for manufacturers who are eager to automate repetitive, unergonomic, and often inconsistent manual screwdriving processes, but who struggle to integrate and program typical piecemeal screwdriving systems. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

Swiss Productions installs two OB7 cobots to operate their CNC mill machines

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Swiss Productions says it has gained a competitive advantage by implementing two Productive Robotics OB7 collaborative robots on their CNC mills to eliminate idle spindle time and maximize production. (See video below.)

From a family owned company that started in a 750 square foot facility and five screw machines, Swiss Productions has grown to what it is today – a high quality, precision, and reliable screw machine shop producing over 2 million parts per month to customers worldwide in the medical, electronics, aerospace, and government industries.

Located in Ventura, California, Swiss Productions today has over 50 screw machines and 30 secondary machines and produces components ranging in size from 2.5 inches in diameter down to syringe tips measuring .019 inches in diameter. [Read more…] about Swiss Productions installs two OB7 cobots to operate their CNC mill machines

RBF Morph speeds real-time design-data feedback

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As engineers in industry and research look to develop digital twins of their physical products – with the longer-term goal of integration with the industrial internet of things – the pivotal importance of up-front, accurate, real-time modeling and simulation to optimize both manufacturing and product performance is becoming very clear.

Enabling the development of this critical functionality is RBF Morph, a technology deeply embedded within Ansys’ newly released R3 version of its advanced engineering software suite, in particular the Ansys Twin Builder systems-design tool.

Also available as a standalone product, RBF Morph provides advanced mesh-morphing capabilities that enable rapid prediction of the outcomes of design changes. [Read more…] about RBF Morph speeds real-time design-data feedback

Worm gearboxes produce high torque at low cost

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worm gears

Tony Young, director of electrical and automation maintenance company, CP Automation, explains the benefits of worm gearboxes

Worm gearboxes are low cost solutions for producing high torque from relatively small electric motors. Their output shaft is at a 90 degree angle to the motor input shaft and higher reduction ratios are obtained compared to conventional gearbox designs.

It would be hard to imagine how violin or guitar strings could be tuned without the use of worm gears, where each thumb screw is effectively a worm that turns a gear, the shaft from which in turn tightens a string.

A complete turn of the thumb screw results in a much smaller turn of only a few degrees at the string shaft, and therefore much higher torque. More importantly, it provides precise tuning of the guitar string.  [Read more…] about Worm gearboxes produce high torque at low cost