Robotics & Automation News

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Software developer and integrator Universal Logic receives order for 60 Yaskawa Neocortex AI robotic work cells

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An industrial technology integrator called Universal Logic says it has receieved a large order for 60 of its specially designed robotic work cells. 

The company has developed a software-intense work cell which it calls Neocortex, aimed at supply chains and logistics operations which require automated material handling systems for high-mix, high volume applications.

Universal Logic’s Neocortex Goods to Robot Cells for automated order fulfillment of consumer goods have now been ordered by an undisclosed customer, who wants 60 complete cells for their order fulfillment of consumer goods.  [Read more…] about Software developer and integrator Universal Logic receives order for 60 Yaskawa Neocortex AI robotic work cells

Acorn shortens supply chain with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer

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Acorn Sales, a specialist in customized, handmade rubber stamps and embossing seals, says it has significantly shortened its supply chain by deploying Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer at its facility in Richmond, Virginia.

Family-owned and operated for over three generations, Acorn is a self-described “small business operating in an Amazon world”.

With Sawyer, the company says it has maintained throughput, improved quality and reduced its reliance on outside suppliers, results that even five years ago would have been nearly impossible for a company of its size to attain affordably.  [Read more…] about Acorn shortens supply chain with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer

Automation fails without aligning materials support function with demand, says Synchrono

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Robot-to-person solutions are on a rapid trajectory for 2017 and beyond. Yet discrete manufacturing organizations which initiate material replenishment automation programs without properly analyzing processes and priorities for internal and external stakeholders, find far less value than anticipated.

Manufacturers are unsure about current replenishment capabilities within ERP (enterprise resource planning) and other systems, and are even less clear whether to fix, buy, or build a solution to gain the capabilities needed.

Too often disruptions in leadership and a change-averse environment can create barriers to improved production flow and automating processes.

The manufacturing sector is well-served when considering whether a replenishment solution can enhance flow and enable continuous improvements; often best practice robotic solutions follow.  [Read more…] about Automation fails without aligning materials support function with demand, says Synchrono

Honeywell to buy Intelligrated

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Honeywell has signed an agreement to acquire privately held, supply chain and warehouse automation provider Intelligrated for $1.5 billion from a company backed by the Permira funds.

The purchase price translates to approximately 12 times Intelligrated’s estimated 2016 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The company’s 2016 sales are estimated to be approximately $900 million.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review. Upon approval, Intelligrated will be part of Sensing and Productivity Solutions in Honeywell’s Automation and Control Solutions business.  [Read more…] about Honeywell to buy Intelligrated

GateHouse Logistics joins Industrial Data Space

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Supply chain data unifier joins association of business leaders to identify, analyze and evaluate best practice requirements for open Industry 4.0 ecosystems across all industrial sectors

Data tracking unifier GateHouse Logistics today announces that it has become a member of the Industrial Data Space (IDS) user association to participate in the development of reference architecture for Industry 4.0 software solutions and business models. 

Launched by European research organisation Fraunhofer in January 2016, the association brings together science and industry to develop open architecture models for all sectors turning to the applied use of Industry 4.0. Examples include smart manufacturing, and smart supply chains. 

The association has its roots in Germany and aims to become a global organisation open to all researchers and industry members.  [Read more…] about GateHouse Logistics joins Industrial Data Space

Autonomous vehicles ‘major attraction’ at CeMAT logistics fair

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Autonomous vehicles were a major attraction for visitors this year at the annual logistics trade fair, CeMAT

Deutsche Messe, which owns and organises CeMAT, says this year’s event was one of the biggest and most successful ever, and certainly the most innovative in the sense that there was a huge amount of interest in new technology such as autonomous vehicles.

The motto for this year’s CeMAT was “Smart Supply Chain Solutions”, and the fair organisers say there was a “substantial growth in the number of foreign visitors”.

From 31 May to 3 June, roughly 1,000 exhibiting companies from 44 countries (exhibitors from outside Germany: 55 percent) presented solutions for efficient and intelligent management of logistics chains.

During the four days of the show, visitors saw for themselves that the intelligent warehouse is already reality. Stephan Weil, Premier of Lower Saxony, opened the trade fair.  [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles ‘major attraction’ at CeMAT logistics fair

SAP to showcase logistics solutions featuring augmented reality glasses at CeMAT

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CeMAT Update: SAP, the business software company, will be making its debut as a participating exhibitor at CeMAT 2016, which opens its gates to the public from 31 May to 3 June in Hannover, Germany.

The company will present its new software for logistics operations which feature augmented reality smart glasses and is ready for highly automated warehouses with autonomous vehicles.

The company’s stand will occupy a prominent position in Hall 27, a popular visitor destination that houses the Logistics IT displays. The theme of the SAP presentation is “Networked Logistics”.

Dr Andreas Gruchow as the responsible member of the managing board at Deutsche Messe, says: “This is SAP’s contribution to the keynote theme of this year’s CeMAT, namely ‘Smart Supply Chain Solutions’, which focuses attention on the digitalized and networked value-adding chain. Visitors to the next CeMAT will get a clear sense of the way innovative IT systems are revolutionizing logistics and opening up new possibilities within the sector.”  [Read more…] about SAP to showcase logistics solutions featuring augmented reality glasses at CeMAT

CeMAT theme to be smart supply chain solutions

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CeMAT Update

Automatic guided vehicles that optimize their own routes. Warehouses that automatically recognize missing inventory and order refills in real time. Systems that develop into complete service providers, thanks to innovative IT. CeMAT 2016 brings all the fascinating trends in intralogistics together at the same time and place.

The future belongs to the Smart Factor – but only after perfectly integrated logistics processes create the necessary preconditions. This makes the intelligent control of inventory flows an absolute must.

Manufacturers, dealers, service providers: All of these are on the lookout for new technologies and ideas. And CeMAT is the only place that brings together groundbreaking solutions for the entire supply chain – under the keynote heading of Smart Supply Chain Solutions.   [Read more…] about CeMAT theme to be smart supply chain solutions

‘Smart manufacturing is all about an intelligent connected supply chain’

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Lars Mohr Jensen, product manager at GateHouse Logistics, looks into the challenges of  the next industrial revolution and the implications on the connected enterprise

As it stands, factories are dumb – or at least far less intelligent than current technology could actually make them. The current industrial production is inflexible and too expensive and a root cause is supply chain invisibility.

But that’s about to change thanks to Industry 4.0, an initiative with its roots in Germany that aims to bring about the fourth industrial revolution. It heralds the era where manufacturing becomes intelligent and every link in the supply chain talks to each other and is connected.

The smart factory concept means industrial or manufacturing processes will be organized in a smart way compared to tired, traditional methods. In opens the era of intelligent manufacturing where the entire production chain, including suppliers, logistics and product life cycle management are connected across frontiers.  [Read more…] about ‘Smart manufacturing is all about an intelligent connected supply chain’