Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Universal Robots

Universal Robots launches global network of training centers

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Universal Robots has launched a global network of training centers. The collaborative robot-maker says it aims to lower automation barriers with robotic programming classes for beginners and advanced users.

The initiative is part of the company’s “mission to make the advantages of collaborative robotics widely accessible”, says Universal Robots.

The worldwide network of Authorised Training Centers that expands on the company’s popular Universal Robots Academy online training.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches global network of training centers

30 exhibitors partner with Universal Robots at Automate and ProMat

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The characteristic light-blue jointed collaborative robot arms from Universal Robots (UR) will be spotted hard at work throughout Automate and ProMat 2019 in Chicago April 8 – 11.

More than 30 UR cobot exhibitors will demonstrate a total of 80+ collaborative robot applications: a testament to the wide range of tasks and solutions now automated by UR.

The cobots on display will handle vision-guided product inspection, pick parts off conveyors, ride on top of mobile robots while performing machine tending, perform live robotic sorting and induction into put walls and pouches, add 7th axis capabilities, hand giveaways to attendees, play golf on a putting green, and much more.

[Read more…] about 30 exhibitors partner with Universal Robots at Automate and ProMat

Universal Robots go to work making oil burner parts

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Fluidics Instruments, a Dutch manufacturer of oil burner components, has taken collaborative robot deployment to the next level with seven UR3 cobots working in tandem on an assembly line producing 1,000 oil nozzles per hour.

The company has additional Universal Robots cobots on mobile platforms ready to address ever-changing tasks and has also developed a cobot-powered screw driving application.

With a total fleet of twelve cobots, Fluidics Instruments is constantly increasing production and sales despite the shortage of skilled workers.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots go to work making oil burner parts

Universal Robots to show its latest cobot solutions at Automate 2019

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At Automate 2019 in April, Universal Robots will showcase new cobot-powered solutions for machine tending, packaging, assembly, and processing.

The company says new applications debunk myths on what cobots can handle while also addressing industries experiencing hiring issues.

When U.S. manufacturers were asked to describe their primary business challenge, it wasn’t the increase of raw materials cost, trade uncertainties, or rising health insurance expenses that topped their lists.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots to show its latest cobot solutions at Automate 2019

Universal Robots partners with Bharat Fritz Werner in India

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India is emerging as one of the fastest growing economies in the new millennium and the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) segment is expected to play a significant role in this growth.

Universal Robots is aiming to penetrate the sector with new and affordable automation solutions with a collaboration with Bharat Fritz Werner (BFW), India’s largest machine tool manufacturer, and integrate collaborative robots in manufacturing processes.

The partnership aims to disrupt the MSME segment with top-notch automation solutions and for CNC machines.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots partners with Bharat Fritz Werner in India

Universal Robots and VersaBuilt to launch cobot and CNC machine interface

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Universal Robots (UR) and VersaBuilt will launch a new interface, URCap, to allow CNC machines to communicate directly with UR collaborative robots at the ATX West show, February 5-7, in Anaheim, California, USA.

The URCap allows a UR cobot to execute any machining program stored on the CNC directly through the cobot’s own teach pendant. Initially launching for Haas CNC machines, VersaBuilt will develop UR interfaces for other popular CNC makes later this year.

The URCap will soon be available through the UR+ platform, a showroom of products all certified to integrate seamlessly with UR cobots.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots and VersaBuilt to launch cobot and CNC machine interface

Universal Robots celebrates 10 years of selling ‘world’s first commercially viable collaborative robot’

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Universal Robots is marking a decade of pioneering collaborative robots, now believed to be the fastest-growing segment of industrial automation.

The company says it is “poised for continued growth” as its cobots continue to lower the automation barrier within a wide range of industries.

When Linatex, a Danish supplier of technical plastics and rubber for industrial applications, bought a UR5 robot arm from Universal Robots to automate CNC machine tending in December 2008, they did something unthinkable.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots celebrates 10 years of selling ‘world’s first commercially viable collaborative robot’

Flexible collaborative robots boost capacity at Swedish machine shop

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FT-Produktion turned to flexible collaborative robots – cobots – to boost productivity without adding personnel. The new technology also elevated job satisfaction by bringing variation to daily routines – a key advantage in an industry battling to attract and retain qualified labour.

No machine shop in its right mind would turn down global leaders like Volvo, Renault and Scania when they come calling with orders – even if it means pushing capacity and productivity to the limit. But in a labour market where recruiting qualified employees is easier said than done, it takes innovation to increase output capacity.

To meet growing market demand, the Swedish machine shop FT-Produktion turned to specialised robot technology designed to meet the automation needs of small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses.  [Read more…] about Flexible collaborative robots boost capacity at Swedish machine shop

Universal Robots hires more than 20 former Rethink Robotics employees

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Universal Robots is hiring more than 20 former Rethink Robotics employees, now that the latter company has closed down.

Universal Robots says the move is aimed at “reinforcing both companies’ pioneering roles in collaborative robotics”.

The company says that, in hiring the 20+ Rethink staff members, it is “incorporating valuable expertise in engineering, product development, and customer applications”.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots hires more than 20 former Rethink Robotics employees

Analysis: Universal Robots continues to dominate cobot market but faces many challengers

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By Ash Sharma, research director, Interact Analysis

Universal Robots continued to dominate the collaborative robot industry in the first half of 2018, although Interact Analysis estimates its market share dipped a little this year.

Despite the exit of cobot pioneer, Rethink Robotics, UR faces an increasing number of challengers and the fledgling industry remains fragmented.

Universal Robots still maintains an incredibly strong hold over the collaborative robot market. However, its market share has gradually decreased from more than 55 percent in 2016 to 46 percent in 2017 – which was inevitable given how quickly the industry is growing and the increasing number of suppliers now competing.  [Read more…] about Analysis: Universal Robots continues to dominate cobot market but faces many challengers