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Swedish startup claims graphene breakthrough

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A Swedish startup company claims it has made a breakthrough in graphene technology, a material of intense interest to many industries. 

Graphmatech, or Graphene Material Technology, a materials startup, says it is sharing its “good news” at the ongoing Hannover Messe event, where it present as co-exhibitor within Sweden Co-Lab, a place for smart innovations.

Just in time for the fair, Graphmatech says its scientists “achieved world- record values for conductive engineering plastics which has at least 100 times lower resistivity than achieved before in filaments for 3D printing”.  [Read more…] about Swedish startup claims graphene breakthrough

Epson to launch new robotic solutions at Automate

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Epson Robots will be showcasing its award-winning line of SCARA and 6-axis robots at Automate, as well as introduce three new robotics solutions.

In addition, the company will lead a discussion for users new to factory automation.

Epson has more than 300 robot models, including its SCARA robot lineup – the G-Series, LS-Series, RS-Series and T-Series All-in-One.  [Read more…] about Epson to launch new robotic solutions at Automate

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

Industry 4.0 meets artificial intelligence in Saxony

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Authorities in the German region of Saxony-Anhalt are investing heavily in developing technologies in which Industry 4.0 meets artificial intelligence and will be showcasing them at this year’s Hannover Messe

“Integrated Industry – Industrial Intelligence”, the digital networking of man and machine in the age of artificial intelligence – this is the topic of the world’s largest industrial exhibition this year, the Hannover Messe.

From 1 to 5 April 2019, more than 6,500 exhibitors from 70 countries will present all the relevant technologies along the industrial added value chain and show how the industry is positioning itself in times of Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence, and what a highly automated material flow can contribute.  [Read more…] about Industry 4.0 meets artificial intelligence in Saxony

Hannover Messe to showcase Industry 4.0, AI and 5G this year

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Hannover Messe this year aims to show visitors the path ahead to tomorrow’s factories with in-depth coverage of Industry 4.0 technologies, artificial intelligence, 5G, lightweight construction and the future of work.

Sporting a significantly enlarged conference program, it will also be a major dialogue hub for forward thinkers from industry and government.

The organising company of the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology says the event is heading into its 2019 opening day in “very strong form”. Over five days, from 1 to 5 April, it will feature 6,500 companies from 75 nations.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe to showcase Industry 4.0, AI and 5G this year

Mitsubishi develops autonomous firefighting robots

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has developed two firefighting robots: the “Water Cannon Robot” and the “Hose Extension Robot”. (See video below.)

As a team, they are expected to play an active role in situations too hazardous for firefighting crews, such as fires at petrochemical plants.

The Water Cannon Robot can extinguish and cool fires where human intervention is difficult, while the Hose Extension Robot automatically lays out up to 300 metres of fire hose to supply water to the Water Cannon Robot.  [Read more…] about Mitsubishi develops autonomous firefighting robots

E-commerce in the USA: Fast-growing demand for warehouse robots

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The phrase “e-commerce in the USA” might immediately bring to mind the giant of the sector, Amazon, which is said to have received fully 40 percent of all online shopping orders over the Christmas period in the country.

It’s difficult to imagine how many orders and how much money that really is, but it’s not difficult to imagine Amazon being the winner – the company has been the biggest e-commerce platform in the US for many years.

Top 10 e-commerce companies in the US

According to eMarketer, Amazon has almost 50 percent of the US retail e-commerce market, as it showed in its list, which we reproduce below.  [Read more…] about E-commerce in the USA: Fast-growing demand for warehouse robots

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

Warehouse automation: Plenty of room for robots

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The US has almost 10 billion square feet of warehousing space, according to research consultancy CBRE, which says 1 billion sq ft of that space was built in the past 10 years. 

Among the geographical areas with the highest number of warehouses are:

  1. Los Angeles :: 10,161 warehouses
  2. Chicago :: 7,042
  3. Northern New Jersey :: 5,208
  4. Boston :: 4,222
  5. Orange County :: 4,162
  6. Central New Jersey :: 3,926
  7. Oakland :: 3,580
  8. Detroit :: 3,542
  9. Denver :: 2,744
  10. St Louis :: 2,636

The vast majority of warehouses – even the new ones – are not automated to a significant extent, and if it is, it’s most likely with what might be considered traditional technology, meaning conveyors and human-driven forklift trucks.  [Read more…] about Warehouse automation: Plenty of room for robots

Hannover Messe conference to provide digital training for textile industry

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Due to their great versatility, fiber-based materials make up an estimated 10 percent of all materials currently on the market.

But turning fiber-based materials into technical textiles is subject to high-quality standards and strong cost pressures.

Help is provided in the form of sensors, digital assistance systems, and connected production.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe conference to provide digital training for textile industry