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University students compete in SICK’s second annual TiM$10k Challenge

May 26, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

For the second consecutive year, sensor manufacturer SICK invited students from universities around the country to participate in the company’s TiM$10K Challenge.

The challenge started in 2018 to support innovation and student achievement in automation and technology.

Teams were supplied with a 270° SICK LiDAR sensor (TiM) and accessories and challenged to solve a problem, create a solution, or bring a new application to any industry that utilizes the SICK LiDAR. [Read more…] about University students compete in SICK’s second annual TiM$10k Challenge

Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

March 17, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

New Scale Robotics has launched its Q-Span Workstation Kit, the first application kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots and featured on the UR+ platform. (See video below.)

The Q-Span Workstation Kit allows quality teams to automate measurement inspection of small parts. Deployed on a UR3e collaborative robot (cobot), the Q-Span Workstation Kit increases measurement consistency and helps quality teams to achieve gage R&R targets.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Robotics, says: “New Scale Robotics is pleased to be in the vanguard of Universal Robots’ new UR+ application kits for quality inspection processes. [Read more…] about Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

Danfoss supplies automation drives to limestone quarry

January 26, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Fearless of the difficult applications – dust and bad weather – the Danfoss VLT AutomationDrive FC 302 was chosen to ensure efficient production of 800,000 tons of hard limestone at the Roussas quarry (main picture).

With an annual cement production capacity of 60 million tons and 42 cement plants across four continents, Italcementi Group is a leading global supplier of construction materials.

The group is a major player in the French building-material market; in the cement business through Ciments Calsia, in the ready-mix concrete sector through Unibéton and in aggregates production and supply with GSM. [Read more…] about Danfoss supplies automation drives to limestone quarry

Amazon Robotics building $40 million research and development center in Massachusetts

January 21, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Amazon is building a new Amazon Robotics innovation hub in Westborough, Massachusetts, creating 200 tech and advanced manufacturing jobs in the process.

Opening in 2021, the company plans to invest more than $40 million in the new site to allow Amazon Robotics to continue to grow its engineering, manufacturing, support and test teams in the state.

The new 350,000 square feet facility, developed by Atlantic Management of Framingham, Massachusetts, will feature corporate offices, research and development labs, and manufacturing space and will be in addition to Amazon Robotics’ current site in North Reading – together serving as the company’s “epicenter of robotics innovation”. [Read more…] about Amazon Robotics building $40 million research and development center in Massachusetts

Scania teams up with Combient network to tap into ‘huge potential’ of automation and AI

November 26, 2019 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Scania says its partnership with the Combient Foundry is intended to tap into the “huge potential” of automation and artificial intelligence in the transportation industry.

The Combient network, which Scania is part of, is a cross-Nordic industry collaboration that aims to accelerate transformation in areas like automation, artificial intelligence, analytics and open innovation.

A part of Combient is the Foundry which connects startups with Nordic industry leaders, enabling the co-creation of new services and solutions. [Read more…] about Scania teams up with Combient network to tap into ‘huge potential’ of automation and AI

Markforged 3D printers featured in BattleBots World Championship

June 13, 2019 by Sam Francis

Markforged, a provider of metal and carbon fiber 3D printers, says that four of its 3D printers were featured on BattleBots, a television series which premiered on June 7th on the Discovery Channel and June 12th on the Science Channel.

As the only 3D printer company hosted by BattleBots during filming, Markforged produced more than 160 parts for 29 teams onsite – all within the two weeks of filming.

The printers allowed the teams to rapidly repair damaged robots, improve their performance during battles, and optimize their design against competitors in real time. [Read more…] about Markforged 3D printers featured in BattleBots World Championship

AI driving actionable sales intelligence in manufacturing

June 3, 2019 by David Edwards

By Barrett Thompson, Zilliant Business Solutions

The manufacturing plant floor has been automated and optimized for years; yet revenue and profit growth remain stagnant.

Seemingly everything has been process-improved with lean manufacturing principles; however, the cost of doing business remains high and the C-Suite continues its demands for an increase in revenue per transaction and gross margins.

Two functions at manufacturing organizations are prime for process improvement:

selling; and
pricing.

A closer look at the selling function reveals that despite reducing labor costs via transformational automation solutions, sales teams still manage large, antiquated portfolios. They are expected to increase their book of business while retaining current customers. [Read more…] about AI driving actionable sales intelligence in manufacturing

Digital Visual Management: Integration of Human-Centricity and Automation

June 3, 2019 by David Edwards

By Nicola Olivetti, Lean and Industry 4.0 Program Director, iObeya

Recently, a leading industrial journalist asked for an explanation about the pragmatic integration of human-centricity and automation. Below are my responses.

Question: How can you preserve a human-centric approach to collegial work in a highly automated environment?

Answer: Companies with an authentic Lean culture leverage automation to expand the scope of teams by granting real-time access to valuable information. This allows for important activity and relevant people (experts, partners, suppliers, customers) to co-operate in a horizontal and agile manner. [Read more…] about Digital Visual Management: Integration of Human-Centricity and Automation