tools

Finger Lakes college partners with New Scale Robotics to develop collaborative robot tools

Finger Lakes Community College has been awarded a $50,000 manufacturing grant from the FuzeHub Innovation Fund to support its work with New Scale Robotics, accelerating development of New Scale’s precision measurement and gripping tools for a wide range of collaborative robots.

New Scale has a line of precision grippers, calipers and other tools that install in minutes on cobots from Universal Robots.

New Scale will collaborate with Dr Sam Samanta, head of the Instrumentation and Controls program at FLCC, and his students to develop a Smart Platform that expands plug-and-play compatibility of New Scale Robotics tools to multiple additional cobot brands. [Read more…] about Finger Lakes college partners with New Scale Robotics to develop collaborative robot tools

Nissan teaches robots to make replacement parts for old cars

Breakthrough could mean parts for discontinued models become more widely available for customers

Nissan has developed a new way to use robots to make car parts out of sheet steel, a breakthrough that could make replacement parts for discontinued models more widely available for customers.

Nissan hopes to commercialize the proprietary technique, known as dual-sided dieless forming. The technique involves two synchronized robots working from opposite sides of a steel sheet, using diamond-coated tools to gradually shape the steel.

Thanks to its flexible production, short lead times and minimal upfront costs, the new technique could make it commercially viable to produce and sell a wide variety of after-service and replacement parts in small volumes for cars that Nissan no longer makes. [Read more…] about Nissan teaches robots to make replacement parts for old cars

OnRobot launches ‘one-system’ solution to make industrial robotic arms more compatible

OnRobot has launched a “one-system” solution which it says makes robots more compatible by enabling their end-effectors to be quickly attached to a variety of brands of robotic arms.

The company says the new unified mechanical and electrical interface for any OnRobot end-of-arm tooling (EoAT) “dramatically simplifies” automation with a single platform for a full range of collaborative and light industrial robotic systems.

OnRobot says the launch is part of its mission of making robotic applications faster and easier to implement with a unified mechanical and electrical interface for any OnRobot EoAT. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘one-system’ solution to make industrial robotic arms more compatible

OnRobot launches new tooling system for ‘full range’ of collaborative robots

OnRobot says it has launched a new tooling system for “full range” of smaller robots.

The company says its new Digital I/O Converter Kit and Quick Changer for OnRobot end-of-arm tooling (EoAT) “dramatically simplifies” automation because it provides a single platform for a full range of collaborative and light industrial robotic systems

Denmark-based OnRobot, a specialist EoAT provider for collaborative robot applications, has introduced two new products – the Digital I/O Converter Kit and Quick Changer – which together with other OnRobot EoATs, creates a “unique One-System Solution that dramatically simplifies automation”, says the company. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new tooling system for ‘full range’ of collaborative robots

Laser interferometer verifies Trumpf Trumatic faster and more accurately

When Trumpf saw API’s XD Laser at a trade show, they immediately recognized that it could measure the three degrees of freedom needed for production of their TruMatic 7000 punch laser machine in only a single measurement process.

A subsequent demo at Trumpf’s factory in Ditzingen, Germany, however, revealed more benefits than Trumpf was anticipating. [Read more…] about Laser interferometer verifies Trumpf Trumatic faster and more accurately

New Scale Robotics launches ‘first multi-tool mount system’ for smallest collaborative robots

New Scale Robotics has launched what it says is “the first multi-tool mounting system for the smallest collaborative robots”.

The new NSR-MTM-3-URe Multi-Tool Mount (NSR-MTM) System allows users to mount and control up to three grippers or other tools on one Universal Robots (UR) e-Series cobot. [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics launches ‘first multi-tool mount system’ for smallest collaborative robots

Seat and Grupo Sesé launch a parts delivery service using drones

The Seat factory in Martorell is the first Spanish plant to receive components via drone delivery. In collaboration with Grupo Sesé, the Spanish carmaker has a pioneering service connecting Sesé’s logistics centre in Abrera with the Seat factory using drones.

The first parts delivery service between two production plants in Spain by drone will deliver steering wheels and airbags to the Seat assembly lines.

The pilot project is being carried out under the supervision of the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA) and will go forward in an experimental phase with several flights per day.

Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

Six innovative companies have been nominated for the grand prize at the microtechnology trade show EPHJ, the leading showcase for watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors.

The jury of experts of the 2019 EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Fair has selected six highly innovative projects for the Exhibitors’ Grand Prix to be voted on by the exhibitors to select and announce the winner at the show, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18-21 June.

Levitation of machines, the green properties of supercritical CO2, machine learning algorithms, new hope for the 16 million people suffering from retinal vein occlusion, a machine that is mightier than a spark and a new fine-layer treatment process are just a few of the spectacular innovations proposed by the six nominees for the 2019 Exhibitors’ Grand Prix selected by the Jury for the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show. [Read more…] about Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

AI driving actionable sales intelligence in manufacturing

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

OnRobot opens Singapore office for its robot end-of-arm tools

OnRobot, the Danish end-of-arm tooling specialist, is opening regional headquarters in Singapore.

OnRobot says it will closely focus on the growing demand of end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) in robotics automation in Southeast Asia.

OnRobot specializes in EOAT for collaborative applications, where machines and humans come together to automate, for faster and cost-effective production. [Read more…] about OnRobot opens Singapore office for its robot end-of-arm tools