Robotics & Automation News

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New study: 42 per cent of US managers think automation will kill jobs

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Nearly half (42 percent) of U.S. managers say that automation and robotics will lead to a net loss of jobs in their respective industries, compared with just 18 percent who say that automation will help to create jobs, according to a new study from MindEdge Learning.

Managers at companies that have already adopted robotics and automation, a clear majority (52 percent) expect that automation will lead to job losses.

Of managers at firms that have not yet adopted robots and automation, only 15 percent say their employees are concerned about their job prospects over the next five years.

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A closer look at the German microelectronics sector

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Microelectronics, as the name suggests, is all about tiny electronics systems, whether we’re talking about a self-contained device or a component. 

But mostly it’s about silicon-based components and devices, typified by microchips, which are known collectively semiconductors.

Obviously, microelectronics is a subfield of the larger electronics sector so the two intersect at the basic level.  [Read more…] about A closer look at the German microelectronics sector

PalExpo to showcase jewellery-making expertise

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The world of high-quality jewellery- and watch-making has always been labour-intensive, requiring many people with intricate skills all along the manufacturing process. 

And while making jewellery still involves many people, increasingly sophisticated instruments, robotics and automation technologies, as well as new materials and additive manufacturing are taking the sector to a whole new level.

An industry event in Geneva, Switzerland called EPHJ-EPMT-SMT describes itself as “the only trade show in the world [which showcases] all high-precision skills in the areas of watchmaking and jewellery, microtechnology and medical technology”.  [Read more…] about PalExpo to showcase jewellery-making expertise

Opinion: Robots help close the gap between designing and making

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Andrew Watts, CEO Newtecnic, discusses the construction industry’s move towards robotics and mass-customization that brings designers and makers together for positive disruption within and beyond the industry

Digitalization, robotics and automation, have produced significant quality and productivity benefits in manufacturing over several decades.

In construction, however, while digitalization has very successfully automated design, the disconnect between designing and making is ripe for an industrial revolution.

And while innovative product manufacturers use technology to move from mass-production to mass-customization, the construction industry is only just picking up on DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) for repetitive mass production of standardized components.

This use of what can be considered an outmoded idea seems to be a retrograde step because the opportunity now exists for construction to deploy the very latest technology and thereby take the lead in manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Robots help close the gap between designing and making

Siemens to present digital enterprise solutions at Hannover

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At the Hannover Messe 2018, Siemens will be showcasing a comprehensive series of examples which demonstrate how users can harness the potential of Industrie 4.0 by implementing digital enterprise solutions.

The focus will be on industry-specific implementation of digital enterprise solutions over the whole life cycle.

Examples from aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, electronics and machine building as well as the chemical, fiber and oil and gas industries illustrate how companies of any size and from any industry can increase their competitiveness with individual digital solutions – through greater flexibility, efficiency and quality as well as shorter times to market.

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Universal Robots to show mobile Plug-and-Produce solutions at Hannover

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At the Hannover Messe 2018, Universal Robots will be demonstrating how ‘Plug-and-Produce’ facilitates simple and flexible automation solution implementation.

The collaborative robots company will be displaying practical application examples to show how integrated components are allowing companies to meet challenges, such as a growing variety of products and increasingly flexible batch sizes. Most of the applications’ accessories come from the Universal Robots+ ecosystem.

It will also show three UR3 robots that collaborate to screw torches together, insert a battery, and subsequently use a laser to label the lamps – an example of how complex applications are easy to automate with UR+ components (e.g., grippers from Schunk and Dahl, a laser from Telesys, and a force-torque sensor from OptoForce).

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Milacron to launch biggest Roboshot at NPE 2018

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Milacron Holdings Corp., an industrial technology company serving the plastics processing industry, will have a large booth packed with technology at NPE, May 7th to May 11th.

The Milacron booth will be filled with industry technologies, including the Milacron-Fanuc Roboshot 500 – the largest tonnage roboshot ever in the Americas, says the company.

For over 30 years Milacron has sold and serviced the Roboshot machine across the Americas and has sold over 5,600 FANUC machines over that time and now announces the The Milacron-Fanuc Roboshot 500.

[Read more…] about Milacron to launch biggest Roboshot at NPE 2018

New ABB products premier at Data Center World 2018

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ABB will unveil two of its latest products on Stand D1130 at this year’s Data Centre World, at ExCel London, March 21-22.

The first product – TruONE – is an automatic transfer switch (ATS) with connectivity and monitoring functions for critical power applications.

TruONE is the world’s first true ATS to package all necessary sensors and controllers into a single, easy-to-install device that helps improve protection and makes installation 80 percent faster, claims the company. [Read more…] about New ABB products premier at Data Center World 2018

GreyOrange to unveil new Butler XL for supply chain automation

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Robotics and supply chain automation company GreyOrange will unveil its expanded range of Butler robots capable of managing a variety of payloads from 100 to 1600 kgs (220 to 3500 lbs) at LogiMat 2018 in Germany.

The goods-to-person Butler™ system lets warehouses run high-speed operations by automating inventory storage (putaway) and order fulfilment. It has been deployed in distribution centers in Japan, Hong Kong, India, Europe and the Americas for industries such as 3PL, e-commerce and retail.

The robotics systems handle a variety of items including apparel, home furnishing and personal care, reducing cost per shipment and enhancing productivity of warehouse operations by more than four times, says the company. [Read more…] about GreyOrange to unveil new Butler XL for supply chain automation

Flexible ‘robot hands’ pack delicate herbs

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It takes great finesse to cultivate and deliver tasteful, fresh herbs. It requires intelligent automation to ensure that production is efficient, competitive, and creates a good work environment.

That is why Denmark’s largest producer of herbs and mini plants, Rosborg Food Holding, chose to invest in sensitive, flexible robot grippers from On Robot to handle the plants.

The use of herbs dates back to Babylon 4000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks developed and refined the cultivation of herbs for the emerging medical sciences and culinary delights.

[Read more…] about Flexible ‘robot hands’ pack delicate herbs