Robotics & Automation News

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Festo unveils extended version of robotic systems design software

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Festo has unveiled an extended version of its robotic systems design software, saying it enables the design of Cartesian robots “in minutes”.

Festo’s Handling Guide Online (HGO) now includes 3D cantilever systems in addition to linear, planar surface and 3D handling systems.

The company says these improvements mean that design engineers can now plan “extremely compact or extremely dynamic Cartesian robots in a matter of minutes” using the HGO’s intuitive configuration and ordering software. [Read more…] about Festo unveils extended version of robotic systems design software

New Kuka Quantec palletizing robot ‘faster than ever’

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Industrial robot maker Kuka says the new version of its KR Quantec PA robotic arm palletizes “faster than ever”.

Kuka says the KR Quantec PA is the most powerful palletizing robot on the market and that the second generation of the robot features “an impressive reduction in cycle times”.

The Quantec has a payload of up to 240 kilograms and food-grade NSF H1 lubricants, and is aimed at the food industry. [Read more…] about New Kuka Quantec palletizing robot ‘faster than ever’

Verizon Robotics and LA Times to ‘enhance storytelling’ with network-connected robots and drones

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Verizon Robotics Business Technology, a business unit of telecommunications giant Verizon and one of America’s leading newspapers, the Los Angeles Times, have entered into an agreement to accelerate the application of advanced robotics and other technology from Verizon to expand on the way news is gathered, shared and consumed.

Through the engagement, the companies will work to integrate technologies including 4G-connected drones, 5G-connected ground robots and 3D modeled data, among others, to redefine digital media and add dimension to news reporting and storytelling. [Read more…] about Verizon Robotics and LA Times to ‘enhance storytelling’ with network-connected robots and drones

Spotify monthly listeners – your career depends on them

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Today, it is not difficult for a novice musician to show his work to this world. You write a track, find a music platform and upload it there.

That’s it, your track can now be listened to, added to yourself from any corner of the world.

The only problem is that some artists do not just want to put their music on the Internet, they want to become famous, the darlings of millions of people. In this case, they have a lot of work to do to create their own personal brand. [Read more…] about Spotify monthly listeners – your career depends on them

Stanley Engineered Fastening achieves automated quality inspection with Universal Robots

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Universal Robots, the world’s leading collaborative robot provider, says Stanley Engineered Fastening has successfully introduced robotic quality inspection using its collaborative robots.

15 UR3e cobots act as key components in its brand-new cells for Breakstem autonomous manufacture which have reduced product costs by approximately 10 percent and shortened lead times by up to 70 percent.

They are producing approximately 350 million fasteners per annum from across the company’s product range. [Read more…] about Stanley Engineered Fastening achieves automated quality inspection with Universal Robots

High-energy shape memory polymer could enable robots ‘flex their muscles’

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A high-energy shape memory polymer could someday enable robots to “flex their muscles”, according its developers.

When stretched or deformed, shape memory polymers return to their original shapes after heat or light is applied.

These materials show great promise for soft robotics, smart biomedical devices and deployable space structures, but until now they haven’t been able to store enough energy. [Read more…] about High-energy shape memory polymer could enable robots ‘flex their muscles’

Top Office 365 Apps You Can’t Ignore

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Cloud office suites have revolutionized how we work. With many companies implementing remote work policies, suites like Microsoft’s Office 365 have enabled many companies to keep their door open during uncertain times.

One of the reasons Office 365 has come to dominate the discussion surrounding cloud office suites is that third-party developers can develop apps that supplement the core product.

These apps can prove incredibly useful for teams and team leaders. Below you will find some of the best apps that fill a variety of needs. [Read more…] about Top Office 365 Apps You Can’t Ignore

Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

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Okuma, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial equipment, has introduced “conversational programming” as standard on its CNC machines.

Okuma says its Advanced One Touch (AOT) conversational programming software enables shops to “easily create programs without the need for highly-trained programmers, achieve faster setup times, and increase machine productivity”.

Okuma America says that select machines from Okuma’s core product line now come equipped with the Advanced One Touch-Interactive Graphics Function (AOT-IGF), the conversational programming software designed for Okuma’s lathes, machining centers and multitasking machines. [Read more…] about Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

Cheetah Mobile launches ‘smart vending robot’

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Cheetah Mobile has launched its intelligent vending robot, FanBot, to international markets.

In contrast to traditional vending machines, the FanBot can autonomously identify and approach potential customers in complex and high-traffic environments, such as shopping malls, retail stores, gyms, cinemas, libraries, hotel lobbies and airport terminals.

Through this targeted and proactive customer engagement, FanBot is proven to achieve sales volume four times that of a traditional vending machine, selling one beverage every 110 seconds. [Read more…] about Cheetah Mobile launches ‘smart vending robot’

Plastic-eating bacteria could help recycle waste ‘six times faster’

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The University of Portsmouth scientists who re-engineered the plastic-eating enzyme PETase have now created an enzyme “cocktail” which can digest plastic up to six times faster.

A second enzyme, found in the same rubbish dwelling bacterium that lives on a diet of plastic bottles, has been combined with PETase to speed up the breakdown of plastic.

PETase breaks down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) back into its building blocks, creating an opportunity to recycle plastic infinitely and reduce plastic pollution and the greenhouse gases driving climate change. [Read more…] about Plastic-eating bacteria could help recycle waste ‘six times faster’