Robotics & Automation News

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation unveils new LoadMate robot work cell

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has launched its LoadMate Plus engineered solution, a mobile robot cell.

The machinery is targeted towards manufacturers in CNC machine tool applications who find themselves facing a labor crunch, while needing to be more efficient and improve their production.

It creates a path to introduce automation to high-mix, low-volume facilities and is designed with mobility and flexibility in mind. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric Automation unveils new LoadMate robot work cell

7 Useful Apps to Measure Your Mac’s Performance

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Apple Macs are one of the computers that face the most abuse in terms of being used for heavy workloads in an extended period of time.

Although these computers are solid and work well under intense pressures, it is worthwhile to know how much is too much. Assessing the performance capabilities of your Mac and its current state is paramount to optimizing the way you use the machine for it to perform at its peak. [Read more…] about 7 Useful Apps to Measure Your Mac’s Performance

MIT CSAIL’s robo-starfish enables closer study of aquatic life

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Scientists have invented a ‘robo-starfish’ which give us more insights into aquatic life, as Adam Conner-Simons, or MIT CSAIL, reports. (See video below.)

Biologists have long experienced the challenges of documenting ocean life, with many species of fish proving quite sensitive to the underwater movements of humans.

As a possible solution, computer scientists have been developing special marine robots that can stealthily move among their carbon-based counterparts. In 2018, for example, a team from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) fabricated a soft robotic fish that autonomously swam with real fish along the coral reefs of Fiji.

However, the complex dynamics of how water moves – and its ability to quickly ruin some perfectly good electronics systems – have made underwater robots especially difficult to develop compared to ones for air or land. [Read more…] about MIT CSAIL’s robo-starfish enables closer study of aquatic life

Fanuc enables integration of its CNC machines and robots using new G-Code

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Fanuc America, a factory automation solutions provider, has introduced what it describes as “the next step in complete robotics and CNCs integration for more efficient operations”.

Fanuc CNCs now have the ability to control connected Fanuc robots providing machine tending or other assistance through Fanuc’s Quick and Simple Startup of Robotization (QSSR).

More manufacturing operations are taking advantage of adding more robotics to execute repetitive tasks previously manually performed. Advanced automation offers a competitive edge and greater profit margins to shops of all sizes. [Read more…] about Fanuc enables integration of its CNC machines and robots using new G-Code

More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

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Today’s industrial robots must fit into smaller spaces, so as much “manufacturing real estate” as possible is dedicated to production. This places pressure on manufacturers to machine smaller, tighter components for these machines. Here, Harish Maniyoor, global product manager for automotive at the machine tooling specialist Sandvik Coromant explains why power skiving is the answer.

The overall number of industrial robots operating in factories worldwide grew to 2.7 million in 2019, according to the 2020 World Robotics Report by the International Federation of Robotics. 

This was a 12 percent increase from 2018 and a historic high. Robots factor into a range of industries, from automotive and aerospace to the food industry and pharmaceuticals – yet all of these sectors have common requirements.

Not only must these robots be smaller, but also lighter with reduced inertia and able to perform more exact movements with optimal speed and efficiency. The challenge is on for manufacturers to machine smaller and more precisely engineered-components – like internal gear reducers – with more flexible designs. [Read more…] about More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

ATI Industrial Automation introduces new robotic tool changer and storage solution

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ATI Industrial Automation has developed what it says is “a new standard robotic tool changing and storage solution” – the QC-7 Robotic Tool Changer.

This lightweight yet durable tool changer offers a variety of configuration options with ATI’s Pass-Through Utility Modules and Tool Stand systems.

An optional ML12 Electrical Module attaches easily to the QC-7 Tool Changer body, which also includes five pass-through air ports and lock/unlock air fittings. [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation introduces new robotic tool changer and storage solution

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Surveillance Industry

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Like other sectors of our lives, the game-changing impact of artificial intelligence in our security systems cannot be ignored.

Let’s face it, despite several innovative and giant strides in security systems, they still depend on human monitoring and unwavering focus. It is an undeniable fact that the attention span of a typical human is short at best.

The need to keep close eyes on things means more cameras and more critical events likely to be missed in real-time. Browsing through tonnes of boring recorded video data after the fact is not an easy task. [Read more…] about The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Surveillance Industry

ATI launches end effector kits for Fanuc collaborative robots

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ATI Industrial Automation has developed CRX-Ready End-Effector Kits, providing Fanuc CRX cobot users a simple and effective way to increase the flexibility of collaborative robotic automation. (See video below.)

These all-in-one packages include robust options for automatic tool changing, force sensing, and material removal, and enable tasks such as assembly, machine tending, part inspection, surface preparation and others to be implemented and executed easily.

CRX-Ready End-Effector Kits include everything needed to get Fanuc CRX cobot applications up and running. In addition to the end-effector, the kit features all the hardware and software required for system connection. [Read more…] about ATI launches end effector kits for Fanuc collaborative robots

Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

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Wikifactory, an online collaboration platform for physical product design and development, has completed a “total upgrade” that it says will enable users the ability to make anything with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection.

Wikifactory says its new Collaborative CAD Tool with in-built chat will “transform the way products are made”, enabling designers, engineers, manufacturers and enterprise to collaborate remotely on virtually any CAD model, from concept through to finished prototype.

The new Collaborative CAD Tool allows product developers of all skill levels in virtually any industry to explore, review and discuss 3D models in over 30 file formats in real-time. [Read more…] about Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

Audi turns to augmented reality for logistics planning

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Audi is turning to augmented reality to plan complex logistics processes: Virtual presentation of three dimensional holograms that are shown in their actual environment helps planners to better evaluate the future situation.

Because of this, prototypes of containers or equipment, and so on, which are elaborate to produce, are no longer necessary. Audi uses the new generation of Microsoft’s “HoloLens 2” device for this.

The “LayAR” system (short for “layout” and “augmented reality”) supports Audi logistics planners when setting up new logistics structures in an existing production hall. [Read more…] about Audi turns to augmented reality for logistics planning