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Consumer demand, and the demanding consumer, for the holidays

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Consumer spending trends suggest this holiday season for retailers and logistics companies will drive an improvement of 15 per cent year-over-year.

With retail sales in the US expanded 0.8 per cent in October after a strong 1 per cent gain in September, the Wall Street Journal’s Josh Mitchell reported, in the best two-month stretch of sales in at least two years.

The brisk spending is a strong sign that the economy is picking up steam, with both wages and employment rising. The expansion, mostly e-commerce, proves that once again online sales are growing at triple the rate of overall retail sales.  [Read more…] about Consumer demand, and the demanding consumer, for the holidays

Swisslog signs ‘major contract’ with tire manufacturer Michelin

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Michelin, the tire manufacturer, has selected Swisslog warehouse and distribution solutions to automate a new distribution center in the US.

The order value of the automation project amounts to a high multimillion-dollar range and was booked in the second quarter of 2016.

The new distribution center will supply passenger and truck tires throughout North America, allowing the company to meet its ambitions for responsible logistics.  [Read more…] about Swisslog signs ‘major contract’ with tire manufacturer Michelin

Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

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Harman, a provider of connected technologies for automotive markets, and Airbiquity, which specialises in connected vehicle services, have launched what they claim is the first automotive grade end-to-end intrusion detection system for connected vehicles.

The companies say that with the increasing dependency on software to power vehicle systems and features, cybersecurity has become a threat to connected vehicles and the introduction of new driving assistance, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and autonomous driving capabilities.

By combining Harman’s Intrusion Detection and Prevention System inside the vehicle with Airbiquity’s cloud-based Choreo service delivery platform and software and data management solution, the two companies say they now deliver “the most robust connected vehicle security threat detection and response capability for automotive customers and their consumers alike”.  [Read more…] about Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

All’s well that ROS well: Robot Operating System taking over the world

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If aliens from beyond our solar system or even our galaxy were to land on Earth and wanted to communicate with intelligent machines that can move around and shake hands, chances are that one of the first in line to greet our otherworldly visitors will be a robot with a brain built using the Robot Operating System. 

The simple reason for this is that ROS is one of the most ubiquitous platforms for robotics in the world today, helped largely by the fact that it is an open-source project, in contrast to the majority of robot operating systems which are proprietary and closed.

Described as a collection of frameworks for robot software development, ROS was originally developed in 2007 at Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. ROS was then extended by Willow Garage, and that’s when it really started taking off.  [Read more…] about All’s well that ROS well: Robot Operating System taking over the world

New flavour of Robot Operating System launched

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A new version of the Robot Operating System has been launched, and this is one for the machines. 

Officially called the Hardware Robot Operating System, the new solution is described as “a standardized software and hardware infrastructure to easily create reusable and reconfigurable robot hardware parts”.

Writing on Robohub.org, Victor Mayoral, CEO of Acutronic Robotics and a researcher at the Open Source Robotics Foundation, says H-ROS means “constructing robots will no longer be restricted to a small elite with high technical skills”.

H-ROS was initially funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency through the Robotics Fast Track program in 2016 and developed by Erle Robotics.

RoboDK updates industrial robot simulation application

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RoboDK industrial robot simulation software has been given an extensive update

RoboDK has launched the latest version of its industrial robot simulation application. 

The company’s CEO, Albert Nubiola, says the software is now much faster and easier to learn and use.

He adds that RoboDK is working on producing more video tutorials and manuals. “RoboDK has been updated to better integrate into smart factories and Industry 4.0 networks.

“The RoboDK software enables your robots and your factory to automatically adjust processes according to any modifications, as well as accurately merge the virtual simulation with the physical world.”

Dassault Systèmes launches solution for architecture, engineering and construction industries

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Cloud collaboration solution from “design to fabrication” aimed at solving problems ahead of construction

Dassault Systèmes, a provider of product lifecycle management solutions among other software, has launched its “design for fabrication industry solution experience” for architecture, engineering and construction.

The company says the software gives architects, engineers, contractors, fabricators and building products manufacturers access to a digital, collaborative environment on the cloud for civil and building projects, from concept through fabrication detail with shop floors that reduces waste and rework.

Each architecture, engineering and construction project brings together new teams of designers, fabricators and contractors who use their own building information modeling solutions.  [Read more…] about Dassault Systèmes launches solution for architecture, engineering and construction industries

PLM software overview: From car manufacturing to the clothes trade

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Product lifecycle management software, or PLM, is a fancy term referring to computer applications which help organise information relating to researching, designing, developing, manufacturing, distributing and maintaining products a company makes. 

Not all PLM software is the same, of course. Some emphasise the research and development area, while others are more concerned with costs and distribution. But mostly PLM is thought of as an engineering system, and mostly it’s customised for large companies, although it’s moving to the cloud more and becoming accessible to smaller companies.

Essentially, PLM software enables companies to speed up the development of their products at the same time as improving its quality, durability and other important aspects.  [Read more…] about PLM software overview: From car manufacturing to the clothes trade

Virtual factory: Manufacturing improvements with PLM

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Adam Bannaghan, technical director of Design Rule, discusses three ways that the digital continuity of product lifesycle management helps manufacturers deliver high quality innovative products with ease

No one hates being faced with a problem they weren’t expecting more than manufacturers. During the design and build process, unplanned events can increase cycle times and have a detrimental impact on the management of materials and working hours.

There is now a demand in the manufacturing sector for a system that provides real-time visual status and control, alongside product quality predictions. Enter, product lifecycle management (PLM).

PLM is used by different sectors for various reasons. For manufacturers, the virtual production element is used to improve the planning, management and optimisation of industrial operations.  [Read more…] about Virtual factory: Manufacturing improvements with PLM

Heidenhain makes industrial networking software available for download

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Heidenhain is now offering the current version of TNCremo software package for communication between PCs and Heidenhain controls or programming stations via direct online download. Past versions were only available on DVD.

The new TNCremo version is now available in a new variant. Users can find the downloads on the Heidenhain.

TNCremo is a free PC software package for communication between PCs and Heidenhain controls or programming stations. Data transfer is carried out over the network or the serial interface.  [Read more…] about Heidenhain makes industrial networking software available for download