Robotics & Automation News

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Locus Robotics releases third generation of its Advanced Navigation system

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Locus Robotics, provider of autonomous, collaborative robots for use in e-commerce fulfilment warehouses, has introduced Advanced Navigation 3.0 (LRAN3 or “Puffin”) to increase the agility and performance of its robots in the warehouse.

“Locus Robotics Advanced Navigation 3.0 addresses one of the most challenging aspects of fulfilment robotics and automation: the dynamic nature of the warehouse,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics.

“LRAN3 enables LocusBots to actively adapt to minute-by-minute changes within a facility, identifying obstacles and navigating tactically around them, to successfully complete their mission.”

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Smallest industrial PC interface launched

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HMS Industrial Networks has added the M.2 format to the IXXAT® INpact PC-card range. The result is the smallest PC-interface for Industrial Ethernet and Profibus on the market, says the company.

With the new IXXAT INpact M.2 interfaces, users can implement PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus-TCP, Powerlink and PROFIBUS slave connectivity with the smallest footprint ever.

The compact form factor M.2 2260 (Key B-M) makes INpact M.2 suitable for small and mobile devices, typically used for service, configuration, data analysis or process data visualization purposes.

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Hospital achieves IoT equipment integration with LoRaWAN

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Two recognized players in IoT technologies, Adeunis and ARC Informatique, are integrating their solutions to achieve unprecedented IoT equipment integration with an existing Building Management System (BMS) using LoRaWAN technology at Grenoble Alpes University Hospital.

The Grenoble Alpes University Hospital´s technical teams wanted to be able to monitor and control various pieces of equipment quickly, inexpensively and without cabling (Ethernet and power). The Grenoble Hospital asked Adeunis and ARC Informatique the question of how to best solve this operational challenge.

In addition, the Hospital wanted to use their existing BMS software without adding additional software layers. PcVue supervision from ARC Informatique, is the BMS in charge of managing two of the Hospital´s sites, the GTB and the GTE site.

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EQT sells industrial automation company Piab

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The EQT VII fund has agreed to sell Piab Group AB to Patricia Industries for an enterprise value of SEK 6,950 million. Piab, headquartered in Sweden, is a global technology pioneer within industrial automation and robot components, and provides smart solutions for the automated world.

Piab was acquired by EQT VII in January 2016. From 2015 to March 2018 LTM revenues, including full-year effect of acquisitions, increased from SEK ~700 million to SEK ~1.2 billion and adjusted EBIT increased from SEK ~200 million to SEK ~330 million.

With the support of EQT VII, Piab has accelerated its strong organic growth and captured market shares across the globe.

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Robustel launches LoRaWAN gateway R3000 LG at Hannover

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Robustel Technologies, an industrial IoT/M2M hardware and solution provider, is launching its new LoRaWAN Gateway R3000 LG at Hannover Messe 2018 in Germany.

Robustel R3000 LG is an industrial-grade LoRaWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network or LPWAN) gateway, integrated with LoRaWAN wireless communication technology and cellular network technology, to provide users with wireless long-distance data transmission services.

R3000 LG allows access to various types of LoRa application nodes, and supports wired Ethernet and wireless 4G/3G/2G accesses to the cloud platform, mainly for LoRaWAN data transmission between LoRa node and cloud platform.

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Nord exhibits drives for digital factories at Hannover

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Nord Drivesystems are exhibiting drive solutions for digital factories of the future at the Hannover Fair 2018. These include Nordak Link decentralised field distributors, smart drives with cloud links for predictive maintenance, as well as LogiDrive – the drive solution for intralogistics.

The Nordak Link series field distributor for applications in modern, networked intralogistics systems is a drive control for flexible close-to-the-motor installation. It is available as a frequency inverter (up to 7.5 kW) or a motor starter (up to 3 kW) and enables rapid commissioning, simple operation and maintenance, says the company.

Thanks to an integrated PLC and compatibility with all common bus systems, the freely configurable field distributor can be integrated into all modern automation systems.

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New tablet for hazardous areas

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The Pepperl+Fuchs brand, ecom, is presenting the next generation of its tablet series for hazardous areas, Tab-Ex, at the Hannover Messe 2018.

The industrial tablet Tab-Ex 02 combines performance with applications such as augmented reality.

It is ideally suited for IoT-capable applications and simplifies data exchange with SCADA / DCS systems, enterprise resource planning systems (SAP, IBM Maximo), project management systems and computer-aided system planning.

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Tulip launches digital manufacturing quick-start kit

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Tulip has launched Factory Kit, which it claims is the industry’s first quick-start solution for powering digital manufacturing that includes everything engineers need to quickly design, build and deploy Manufacturing Apps without writing code.

Factory Kit uses Tulip’s Manufacturing App Platform, which brings the power of Industrial IoT and advanced analytics to the front-line engineer and the associate on the shop floor.

Manufacturing Apps integrate human, sensor, and machine data, allowing engineers to gain actionable insights, implement process changes, and continuously improve their operations.

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Butler goods-to-person robotics systems at three new sites

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Robotics and supply chain automation company, GreyOrange, will install its Butler robotics system at three new sites, located in Japan and Europe.

The upcoming site in Japan is for Trusco Nakayama Corporation, a  wholesale trading company specializing in machine tools and equipment for production sites, wholesale distributors and retailers. Its range of over 335,000 products includes over 2,300 brands and manufacturers.

Customers in Europe include a Global 3PL using the Butler system for one of its pan-European distribution operations in Benelux and a leading e-commerce platform for its regional fulfilment centre.

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Burke Porter Group buys Van Hoecke Automation

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Burke Porter Group (BPG), a US-based global manufacturer of intelligent machines, has completed its purchase of Van Hoecke Automation (VHA), a Belgium-based global supplier of production automation and product manipulation and control in the food processing and automotive industries.

Established in 1990, VHA not only provides a complementary product portfolio to BPG, but also strengthens its manufacturing presence in Belgium, which includes BEP Europe NV in Bruges. VHA will remain at its current location in Gavere, near the city of Ghent.

The acquisition agreement provides for management continuity over the company’s business activities with no change in day-to-day business or contacts.

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