Robotics & Automation News

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Alabama family business builds lights-out manufacturing process based on Hermle equipment

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After spending most of their younger years in their father’s machine shop, two brothers have applied their knowledge to their own enterprise, Smith & Co, and have built a multimillion-dollar, advanced, lights-out CNC facility in Birmingham, Alabama

Robert and Dell Smith started in the manufacturing industry as kids, working with their father at his part-time machine shop in Tuscaloosa – about 50 miles from their current Birmingham, Alabama location.

In the late 1980s, Robert helped take the business to full-time operations, where they first experienced 5-axis and mill turn technology, primarily for the automotive and defense industries.

The Smiths recognized the need for standard operations – whether tooling, controls or systematic procedures – which led to an exponential growth of over 100 team members. In 2015, they sold the company but continued to work for six more years.

[Read more…] about Alabama family business builds lights-out manufacturing process based on Hermle equipment

Methods Machine Tools releases its first end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura turning centers

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Methods Machine Tools, the foremost supplier of high-quality, high-precision CNC machine tools and automation in North America, has released the Turn-Assist 200i and 270i from RoboJob as its first, end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura-Tome turning centers.

A semi-collaborative system engineered for lathe automation, Turn-Assist is designed to be implemented and run by operators of any skill level. With a simple tablet-style HMI and standard Ethernet IP interface, shops can successfully change over from one part to another within minutes.

Zach Spencer, Methods’ automation manager, says: “By pairing the Turn-Assist from RoboJob with Nakamura-Tome, we have created a unique automation solution for high-mix/low-volume and/or mid-volume with frequent changeovers on round workpieces often associated with Nakamura lathes. [Read more…] about Methods Machine Tools releases its first end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura turning centers

Hardinge to acquire J.G. Weisser

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Hardinge and J.G. Weisser have entered into a definitive agreement under which Hardinge will acquire Weisser, enhancing Hardinge’s Turning and Milling platform with an attractive portfolio of products and technologies.

Weisser is a German manufacturer and solution provider of high precision, multifunctional turning machines and turning centers as well as automation solutions.

Weisser is based in Germany with sales of approximately $90 million. [Read more…] about Hardinge to acquire J.G. Weisser

Franz Morat unveils innovative system that comfortably rotates and turns bedridden patients

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For bedridden individuals, everything revolves around the correct resting position in the bed. The position must be adjusted to match each individual patient and their physical condition.

This means the patient’s position in the bed must be changed regularly to take pressure off of areas of the patient’s body and to prevent pressure sores. The goal is to make life in bed as pleasant as possible for the person in need of care.

Turning and repositioning bedridden individuals is a physically challenging procedure for caregiving staff. It is usually performed multiple times per day by a team of two or three caregivers and it requires a lot of time. [Read more…] about Franz Morat unveils innovative system that comfortably rotates and turns bedridden patients

Savioke says hotels turning to its room service robot

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An increasing number of hotels are making enquiries to Savioke about its room service robots, according to the company.

As the hospitality industry struggles to adapt to changing consumer behavior during the coronavirus pandemic, many hotels are turning to room service robots to help wary travelers feel more at ease.

David Wang, director of sales and marketing at the Crowne Plaza San Jose – Silicon Valley hotel, in Milpitas, says: “Guests now think of it as a perk to not have a person come to their room. [Read more…] about Savioke says hotels turning to its room service robot

Fanuc to introduce new RoboNano ‘ultra precise’ machining tool

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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

CNC Machining Services: One Machine, Many Functions

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An overview of CNC machining services, contributed by RapidDirect

Computer numeric controlled machining (CNC) is a manufacturing process, first introduced between the 1940s and 1950s.

The process involves different accurate cutting instruments that remove material from the item – contingent upon the Computer Aided Drawing (CAD), with cutting edge programming tools can control.

This manufacturing process helps you in designing a sketch for production with the opportunity of altering and making changes. [Read more…] about CNC Machining Services: One Machine, Many Functions