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5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

June 15, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Written by Pippa Strickland from iDiveblue.com

Robotics have changed our lives in remarkable ways and when you consider the vastness of our oceans (which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface), it makes sense that robotics is being harnessed to conduct research and preserve our ocean health.

From improving ship fuel efficiency to repopulating reefs and removing marine litter, here are five ways that robotic innovations are leading to a brighter future for our ocean-dwelling species. [Read more…] about 5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

BMW applies AI dust particle analysis to ‘increase paint shop quality’

June 9, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

BMW says it uses an “ongoing algorithm-based analysis” of dust content in vehicle paint booths and compares them to a database to predict the quality of coating it applies to cars

Artificial intelligence can bring even greater precision to controlling highly sensitive systems in automotive production, as a pilot project in the paint shop of the BMW’s Munich plant has demonstrated.

Despite state-of-the-art filtration technology, the content of finest dust particles in paint lines varies depending on the ambient air drawn in. If the dust content exceeded the threshold, the still wet paint could trap particles, thus visually impairing the painted surface.

AI specialists from what BMW calls its “central planning” and the Munich plant have now found a way to avoid this situation altogether: every freshly painted car body must undergo an automatic surface inspection in the paint shop. [Read more…] about BMW applies AI dust particle analysis to ‘increase paint shop quality’

Overcoming metrology bottlenecks in additive manufacturing

April 13, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

By Eric Felkel, product manager optical profilers, Zygo Corporation

Undoubtedly there are many benefits associated with the use of additive manufacturing as a production technology.

Across industries, manufacturers exploit the fact that through the use of additive manufacturing they can not only build complex parts – in one piece – which were previously impossible, but they can also build stronger, lighter weight parts, reduce material consumption, and benefit from assembly component consolidation across a range of applications.

These advantages have been well documented during the last 10-20 years as additive manufacturing has emerged as a truly disruptive technology for not just prototyping but also production, and are invariably seen as being enabled by the additive hardware that builds the parts. [Read more…] about Overcoming metrology bottlenecks in additive manufacturing

ATI Industrial Automation launches new orbital sander for robots

February 21, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

ATI Industrial Automation has introduced the AOV-10 Axially-Compliant Orbital Sander, specifically designed for robotic surface preparation and finishing.

With built-in compliance, the AOV-10 is well-suited for many different robotic applications—even those that require a light touch.

A pneumatically-actuated compliance mechanism allows for dynamic control of contact forces and ensures an ideal result every time. [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation launches new orbital sander for robots

Fanuc to introduce new RoboNano ‘ultra precise’ machining tool

January 31, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Fanuc is to introduce its new “RoboNano α-NTiA” at SPIE Photonics West 2020, February 4-6, in San Francisco, Booth #5684.

Designed to help manufacturers improve productivity, the RoboNano is described as an “ultra-precise machine tool offering the ultimate in finish quality for optical surfaces”.

Available in two models, including the new RoboNano α-NTiA for turning applications and the RoboNano α-NMiA for 5-axis milling and scribing / engraving, the RoboNano meets the requirements of the most demanding applications in the automotive, biomedical, and watchmaking industries. [Read more…] about Fanuc to introduce new RoboNano ‘ultra precise’ machining tool

Mitsubishi Electric unveils new autonomous car for testing new technologies

December 10, 2019 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled the latest version of the xAUTO, (main picture) a vehicle capable of autonomous driving on surface roads without high-definition maps and autonomous parking both indoors and outdoors.

The xAUTO is a demonstration car that incorporates Mitsubishi Electric’s cutting-edge technologies for autonomous driving.

Mitsubishi Electric’s autonomous driving system is realized with sensor-fusion technologies implemented with peripheral sensors, millimeter-wave radar and cameras, and so on, as well as infrastructure-assisted technologies incorporating Centimeter Level Augmentation Service signals from the Quasi Zenith Satellite System and high-definition three-dimensional maps. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric unveils new autonomous car for testing new technologies

On a roll with Cold and Hot Rolling Day 2019

October 16, 2019 by David Edwards

Leaders in the field of steel rolling from across Europe and North America met at the Rolling Day metalworking event in Memphis, Tennessee to unveil the most innovative technology in hot and cold steel rolling available on the market today.

Hosting companies – Atlantic, Fraunhofer IZFP, Gontermann-Peipers, Herkules, IMS Messsysteme, Lechler, Lismar, Quaker Chemical, REBS, Schaeffler, and Steinhoff – spearheaded the event with numerous lectures detailing their newest developments for critical applications in metal production.

Smart industrial engineering ecosystems, inspection technology, coatings and energy-efficient heat treatments were just a few of the topics covered by experts over the course of the two-day conference. [Read more…] about On a roll with Cold and Hot Rolling Day 2019

Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

September 26, 2019 by David Edwards

Automaker Ford has for the first time introduced a team of collaborative robots that works alongside engineers in Cologne, Germany, to ensure every Ford Fiesta has a perfect finish.

The six cobots complete a choreographed sequence to sand the entire body surface in just 35 seconds. The initiative does not replace employees but allows operators to use their time on more complex tasks and avoid suffering the strains associated with performing repetitive tasks.

Dennis Kuhn, senior manufacturing engineer, paint shop, Ford of Europe, says: “The cobots can feel when more force needs to be applied, just like we can, and they can more easily get to hard-to-reach places, like the centre of the roof.” [Read more…] about Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

Researchers develop robot fingertips for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions

September 4, 2019 by Mai Tao

A team of researchers at Kanazawa University has developed a robot control system – or fingertips – for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions.

The researchers say that the study was able to verify that “object grasping by soft surface fluid fingertips with high friction was controllable by applying a suitable lubricant”.

However, they added that it was necessary to do more experiments under various conditions in order to apply the current controlling technology to manufacturing environments. [Read more…] about Researchers develop robot fingertips for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions

NASA selects first three companies for commercial moon landing technologies

May 31, 2019 by Sam Francis

Three companies awarded total of $250 million to develop lunar technology

NASA has selected three commercial Moon landing service providers that will deliver science and technology payloads under Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) as part of the Artemis program.

Each commercial lander will carry NASA-provided payloads that will conduct science investigations and demonstrate advanced technologies on the lunar surface, paving the way for NASA astronauts to land on the lunar surface by 2024.

Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator, says: “Our selection of these US commercial landing service providers represents America’s return to the Moon’s surface for the first time in decades, and it’s a huge step forward for our Artemis lunar exploration plans. [Read more…] about NASA selects first three companies for commercial moon landing technologies