Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Xerox launches new 3D printer featuring a nozzle ‘half the width of a human hair’

by

xerox-3d-printer

New Xerox 3D printers sport a nozzle which is almost too tiny to see with human eyes

Xerox says it has developed innovative architecture featuring tiny, stainless steel nozzles inside its new Direct to Object Inkjet Printer.

The company says this means it has created a new, label-less, on-demand method of personalising three-dimensional objects.

The nozzles are contained in print heads – about the size of a deck of cards – that accurately spray ink on objects as small as bottle caps and as large as football helmets. The printer can print on plastic, metals, ceramics and glass, eliminating the need for costly labels.  [Read more…] about Xerox launches new 3D printer featuring a nozzle ‘half the width of a human hair’

Data in demand: Pressure Design flying high with automated hydraulics partnership

by

pressure-design-hydraulics

The aerospace industry is hungry for tons and tons of data on everything that happens, and Pressure Design has the systems to feed it 

Traceability, data logging and graphical displays are in high demand in the modern hydraulics environment.

As customers’ requirements become more complex, the hydraulic control experts at machine builder Pressure Design focus on increasing their automated solutions offering, with the support of Copa-Data’s HMI/SCADA software, zenon.

Pressure Design offer a bespoke, fully inclusive service, satisfying all fluid power requirements, from the factory floor to the HMI. The company serves the hydraulic requirements of a wide range of primary and secondary manufacturing facilities.  [Read more…] about Data in demand: Pressure Design flying high with automated hydraulics partnership

Skies full of drones bring many new risks, Allianz warns

by

Insurance and financial services giant Allianz is warning that exponential growth in the number of drones in the sky carries a wide range of risks 

Whether used commercially for industrial inspections, aerial photography, border patrol, emergency deliveries and crop surveys or recreationally by millions, drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have the potential to become a multi-billion dollar business and deliver problem-solving technologies across numerous industries.

However, more drones in the skies also raise a number of new safety concerns, ranging from collisions and crashes to cyber-attacks and terrorism.

To ensure safe UAS operations, systematic registration of unmanned aircraft and robust education and training of operators is necessary, according to a new report from aviation insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS): Rise of the Drones: Managing the Unique Risks Associated with Unmanned Aircraft Systems.  [Read more…] about Skies full of drones bring many new risks, Allianz warns

iRed launches new drone aerial inspection system

by

ired-drone-thermographic-pic

Thermographic imaging specialist iRed has launched new aerial inspection services.

The company says it has been testing and developing the system for years and it’s capable of providing entirely new points of view.

“Since early 2012, we’ve been testing and developing aerial technologies in order to produce a comprehensive and efficient inspection solution that not only complements our existing remote sensing capabilities but would also allow us to perform surveys from new perspectives,” says the company in a statement.  [Read more…] about iRed launches new drone aerial inspection system

Infographic: A history of cyber attacks on the industrial internet of things

by

 

GlobalSign has produced an infographic which provides some insight into the history of cyber attacks against the industrial internet of things

The Industrial Internet of Things, or Industry 4.0, is improving operational efficiencies for global industrial systems on a scale never seen before.

The IIoT holds great potential for improved communications, productivity, quality control, supply chain efficiencies and overall business operations. With this broader connectivity, comes new attack vectors, vulnerabilities and opportunities for hackers.

When you start to consider the various IIoT cyber-attacks and exploits in the last decade, the damages are startling. [Read more…] about Infographic: A history of cyber attacks on the industrial internet of things

Manufacturers rely on big data to navigate tough business conditions, says Honeywell

by

Survey of 200 executives indicates most manufacturers plan to increase investments in data analytics over next year – even while delaying other technology investments

A recent survey of manufacturing executives indicates many respondents (67 percent) are pressing ahead with plans to invest in data analytics even as they pare back spending in other areas to combat tough business conditions.

The reason: Many say they view data analytics – a key component of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – as a viable solution to a cycle of problems that lead to downtime and lost revenue.

More than 200 North American manufacturing executives took part in the survey titled Data’s Big Impact on Manufacturing: A Study of Executive Opinions. The survey was jointly conducted by Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) and KRC Research, from May 23 to June 8, 2016.  [Read more…] about Manufacturers rely on big data to navigate tough business conditions, says Honeywell

Universal Robots says it has 10,000 collaborative robots installed around the world

by

Universal Robots says it has shipped 10,000 of its collaborative industrial robots worldwide so far.

The company, which is believed to be the first robot manufacturer to have launched a collaborative industrial robot model, made the announcement through a Twitter post.

More as we get it…

Ansible Motion developing defence against motion sickness for autonomous cars

by

autonomous cars

With more people set to be reading or using screens in their autonomous cars, Ansible Motion’s simulation technology could highlight what features could prevent sickness from happening

When self-driving cars become the norm, we’re going to have much more spare time, as we’ll no longer be chained to the steering wheel with our eyes locked on the road ahead.

This is brilliant news as we’ll have more time to read, work and play driving games on our phones instead. But it could have one downside: Motion sickness.

Motion sickness is already a problem for many passengers – and when we all become passengers, it seems inevitable that it’ll get worse. In fact, experts are already predicting that between 6 per cent and 12 per cent of Americans can expect to get sick travelling in an autonomous vehicle.  [Read more…] about Ansible Motion developing defence against motion sickness for autonomous cars

Industrial Internet: Ubisense launches new tracking solution for logistics

by

 

Ubisense has released a new version of its “precision zone tracking product”, AngleID, with a range of additional features including the ability to network multiple readers.

These updates increase the area that can be covered to whole buildings and enable even more sophisticated zones to be created.

AngleID was launched in May to offer real-time precision zone tracking, offering a completely new product that sits between passive RFID proximity tracking and real-time location systems (RTLS) exact location tracking.  [Read more…] about Industrial Internet: Ubisense launches new tracking solution for logistics

Market for agricultural robots and drones to grow to $10 billion, says report

by

english-aerial-landscape

The market for robots and drones in the agricultural sector is predicted to grow to $10 billion by 2022, according to a new study. 

The report by IDTechEx Research, Agricultural Robots and Drones 2016-2026: Technologies, Markets and Players, says there is already a $3 billion market in 2016, and will rise to $10 billion by 2022.

Some of the promising technologies that are available to help farmers increase yield without negative environmental factors, are to be discussed at a NIAB and Agri-Tech East event – Innovations for Sustainable Intensification, on 14 September in Cambridge, UK.  [Read more…] about Market for agricultural robots and drones to grow to $10 billion, says report