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Ideal Spindles for High-Speed Robotic Milling of Plastics and Composites

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By Mark Fairchild

Robot arms are finding their way into a wide variety of applications because of their precision, strength, and versatility. Robotic milling systems have become more common in recent years and have several advantages over traditional machine tools for certain applications.

One application for which robot arms are well suited is using a kind of deburring tool as a cutting instrument when working with relatively soft materials like plastics and composites. [Read more…] about Ideal Spindles for High-Speed Robotic Milling of Plastics and Composites

How to Reduce Chatter in Robotic Milling Applications

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Article by Mark Fairchild, Precision Drive Systems

Have you optimized the performance of your robotic arm as it performs milling operations? Machining with articulated robot arms is an attractive alternative to machine tools because they offer ease of set-up, repeatability, a large workspace, and versatility.

However, machine tools are as much as 50 times stiffer than robotic arms (details). This lack of stiffness in robots makes it challenging to produce the desired performance. Minimizing chatter is a frequent concern and should not be overlooked to ensure the right results the first time.

In this article, we explore some best practices for reducing chatter with a focus on the spindle and tooling. [Read more…] about How to Reduce Chatter in Robotic Milling Applications

Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform

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Activ Surgical, a digital surgery company, has completed its first in-human surgery clinical trial utilizing the company’s technology-as-a-service bundle – the ActivInsights augmented reality-based software suite and the ActivSight imaging module.

Procedures for the study at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) were led by Dr Erik Wilson, professor in the Department of Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and a leading bariatric, endoluminal and robotic general surgeon; and Dr Shinil Shah, associate professor at UTHealth Houston and a preeminent general surgeon with expertise in advanced gastrointestinal surgery.

The safety and feasibility study was conducted across bariatric, colorectal and gallbladder procedures – surgeries in which intraoperative assessment of perfusion and anatomic structures are critical to prevent costly and life-threatening complications. [Read more…] about Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform

Locomation integrates Nvidia chip into autonomous vehicle

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Locomation, a provider of autonomous trucking technology, says it will use the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin autonomous vehicle computing platform for the commercialization of self-driving trucks starting in 2022.

Locomation’s first commercial product in a series of planned product rollouts is Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARCTM).

ARCTM allows one driver to pilot a lead truck equipped with technology augmentation while a fully autonomous follower truck operates in tandem. [Read more…] about Locomation integrates Nvidia chip into autonomous vehicle

Wilson Logistics orders 1,120 autonomous truck systems from Locomation

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Wilson Logistics has ordered 1,120 autonomous truck systems from Locomation. The companies claim this is “the world’s first autonomous truck purchase order”.

Locomation is a provider of autonomous trucking technology and Wilson Logistics is a large transportation logistics company based in Springfield, Missouri, USA.

Under the terms of the deal, a minimum of 1,120 Wilson Logistics tractors or trucks are to be equipped with Locomation’s Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARCTM) technology, with the first units delivered in early 2022. Additionally, the deal amends the commercial agreement between the two companies to extend through 2028. [Read more…] about Wilson Logistics orders 1,120 autonomous truck systems from Locomation

Locomation and Wilson Logistics partner on autonomous truck relay convoy pilot

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Locomation has signed a definitive agreement establishing a multi-year partnership with Wilson Logistics to put Locomation’s autonomous technology on the road across several critical Wilson Logistics shipping routes.

Locomation claims to be the world’s first trucking technology platform to offer “human-guided autonomous convoying”. Wilson Logistics is a family-owned transportation logistics company based out of Springfield, Missouri.

During the three-year pilot, Locomation will employ its Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) technology on 11 separate Wilson Logistics ARC segments. [Read more…] about Locomation and Wilson Logistics partner on autonomous truck relay convoy pilot

Universal Robots launches ‘Service360’ customer support

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Universal Robots has launched Service360, a new support service offering which the company says “enhances performance, increases uptime and mitigates risk through seamless collaboration”.

Chris Wilson, vice president of service, Universal Robots, says: “Our customers are at the center of everything. Now, we’re empowering them to proactively monitor, optimize and safeguard cobot performance with enhanced support and preventative maintenance.

“Service360 protects production lines, maximizes uptime, reduces risk and enables success by ensuring manufactures are prepared for the unexpected.” [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches ‘Service360’ customer support