Robotics & Automation News

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welding

Alstom commissions the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway industry

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Alstom‘s Le Creusot site in France has unveiled the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway sector, developed and manufactured by its supplier Farman, a subsidiary of the Galilé group, which specialises in robotic installations.

This investment in innovation of over a million euros is aligned with the development strategy for the Alstom site in Le Creusot, the group’s centre of excellence for bogie design and production.

The site’s expertise is deployed in major rail projects such as the new-generation RER and Avelia Horizon, the fifth generation of TGV.

[Read more…] about Alstom commissions the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway industry

Sunstone Welders launches smart welding systems

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Sunstone Welders is launching a whole new line of smart micro resistance welding systems. The Sunstone Capacitive Discharge Dual Pulse Advanced (CDDP-A) welding systems are production ready with feedback, reporting, and full weld head control.

The CDDP-A is equipped with an 8″ full colour touch screen display. The CDDP-A interface provides an easy way for users to adjust production settings, including multiple PLC protocols, cloning options, weld monitoring, and SPC tools. In addition, the welding results are visible on the screen as the weld is completed and results can be exported to any computer.

Capacitive Discharge welding is an ideal solution for micro welding or joining. CD Welding is highly repeatable, can achieve quick energy release for welding highly conductive metals, and is not affected by line voltage fluctuations.

ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

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ABB is to acquire AB Rotech, a privately-owned company headquartered in Bursa, Turkey, with nearly 20 years of extensive experience in robotic welding solutions and services for the automotive industry.

The expertise of AB Rotech’s engineering team covers the entire robotics welding lifecycle, from design and commissioning to electrical engineering and customer service.

The parties agreed to not disclose the value of the acquisition. The acquisition is subject to regulatory clearance and is expected to close later this year.

[Read more…] about ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

Universal Robots and ARC Specialties launch MIG welding system at FabTech

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Universal Robots and ARC Specialties have launched their MIG welding system at FabTech 2017 in Chicago.

The companies say SnapWeld Collaborative Robotic Welding features “seamless hardware and software integration” through the Universal Robots+ product platform.

Universal says SnapWeld gives small job shops struggling with the budget, programming and space requirements of traditional welding robots an alternative solution.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots and ARC Specialties launch MIG welding system at FabTech

Lincoln Electric to expand automation manufacturing capabilities

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Lincoln Electric says it is planning to expand its automation manufacturing capabilities, with the enlargement of its facility at Wayne Trail, Ohio.

The Wayne Trail plant specialises in automated manufacturing solutions for metal forming, fabricating and metal joining processes.

Lincoln says the new investment “nearly doubles the facility’s size” to support larger-scale projects, future growth, and improved operational effectiveness.  [Read more…] about Lincoln Electric to expand automation manufacturing capabilities

Novarc Technologies to showcase ‘world’s first collaborative welding robot’ at FabTech

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Novarc Technologies, a Vancouver-based robotics company specializing in the design and commercialization of collaborative robots for industrial applications, says it will be introducing “the world’s first welding collaborative robot” at FabTech.

The company says this is a “groundbreaking step” because, for the pipe welding industry, it demonstrates that robots can enable companies to meet production requirements even where there isn’t a sufficient skilled workforce available.

Novarc says its collaborative robot will be initially available for exclusive demonstration at FabTech, booth #B25100. (A previous Novarc welding system is shown in the picture above.) [Read more…] about Novarc Technologies to showcase ‘world’s first collaborative welding robot’ at FabTech

ABB to showcase ‘broad range’ of welding technologies at FabTech 2017

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ABB says it will feature “a broad range of advanced robotic welding technology designed to enhance safety, quality and productivity” at FabTech 2017

Metal Fabricators of all sizes are adopting robotic automation to maximize throughput, reduce costs and remove people from repetitive tasks and challenging environments.

The exhibit highlights the elevated level of collaboration, digitalization and simplification unique to ABB, which helps achieve these goals while providing fabricators the flexibility to efficiently adapt production as manufacturing continues to trend from mass production to mass customization.

Collaboration comes in the form of YuMi, ABB’s dual-arm collaborative robot that can operate very closely with humans due to its “inherently safe construction”, according to ABB, and is specifically designed to meet the flexible and agile production needs of small parts assembly and material handling applications.  [Read more…] about ABB to showcase ‘broad range’ of welding technologies at FabTech 2017

Fanuc launches ‘extremely compact’ new arc welding robot

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Fanuc says its new arc welding robot Arc Mate 100iD is “extremely compact” and is the next generation of the Arc Mate Robot Series

The new Arc Mate 100iD welding robot is the first model of the new Arc Mate series, succeeding its predecessor Arc Mate 100iC/12. 

As of September 2017, the Arc Mate 100iD can be ordered and will be publicly displayed at these two trade shows in Germany: EMO in Hannover and Schweissen & Schneiden in Düsseldorf.

Matteo Ferrari, arc welding and laser robot product manager at Fanuc Europe, says: “The new Arc Mate 100iD welding robot reaches remarkable productivity improvements for clients thanks to its superior motion performance, decreased installation efforts and ownership costs due to its seamless integration with weld process equipment.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches ‘extremely compact’ new arc welding robot

Octopuz releases new version of industrial robot programming software

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Octopuz has released the latest version of its industrial robot programming and simulation software. 

The company says Octopuz 1.7 is packed with new features and enhancements, including robot code importing, NC code importing, an all-new tool manager, and URP program generation for UR robots.

Octopuz has also added something called SmartPath, which provides automated methods of orientating the robot and making changes to solve conflicts.  [Read more…] about Octopuz releases new version of industrial robot programming software

Electric cars will change the way industrial robots are used in manufacturing, says Fanuc boss

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With Volvo’s decision to go all electric in its future vehicles, combined with the French government’s decision to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 and similar moves in Germany, the automotive industry is preparing for a tectonic shift in the manufacturing landscape. 

The way electric cars are made already differ considerably now, and new techniques will take the production of the new vehicles further away from traditional methods.

An interesting insight into the future was offered by a senior executive at the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, who suggested that electric cars are highly likely to fundamentally change the way industrial robots are used.  [Read more…] about Electric cars will change the way industrial robots are used in manufacturing, says Fanuc boss