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New aircraft manufacturer Boom Supersonic building superfast plane using Stratasys 3D printing systems

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A new aircraft manufacturer called Boom Supersonic is developing aeroplanes which can fly at speeds of almost 1,500 miles per hour. 

The design of Boom’s planes are reminiscent of the Concorde, the world’s first supersonic commercial jet airliner, operational from 1969 to 2003.

But unlike the Concorde, Boom Supersonic’s planes are likely to feature numerous components produced using 3D printing, a technology which didn’t exist when Concorde was flying.  [Read more…] about New aircraft manufacturer Boom Supersonic building superfast plane using Stratasys 3D printing systems

Interview: Leading robotics and automation fund manager planning to launch new investment vehicle

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The news that investments in robotics and automation companies have out-performed all other investments on the stock market will only add to the allure of this sector. 

Fuelled by a renewed fascination and technological advancement in artificial intelligence, investors are enthusiastically looking for funds and companies in which to put their money.

There’s very few investments in life or in history that can offer get-rich-quick returns, but certainly a wise investor could make substantial returns if they are careful with their money.  [Read more…] about Interview: Leading robotics and automation fund manager planning to launch new investment vehicle

Baumüller prepares to showcase new solutions at Drinktec event

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Baumüller will introduce what it describes as “complete solution packages and industry-specific components” at Drinktec 2017, the drinks packaging industry event. 

From September 11-15, 2017, Baumüller will participate in drinktec 2017, the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry in Munich.

In hall B3 at stand 321, the Nuremberg-based drive and automatization specialist will present its specific industry solutions for the beverage industry – from a drive with an aseptic surface for transport tasks in the food sector to compact local drive technology for minimum wiring effort.  [Read more…] about Baumüller prepares to showcase new solutions at Drinktec event

How American machine builder JSI built a ‘truly connected’ machine using IIoT technology from HMS

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Paper slitting machines from American machine builder JSI are well-connected indeed.

By using technology from HMS Industrial Networks, and system design by Millennium Controls, JSI can remotely access and control the machine via the internet and also enable wired and wireless communication between different parts of the machine.

All this allows JSI to offer an even more competitive and connected machine. Paper slitting machine from JSI with a robotic arm allowing blades to be changed automatically.  [Read more…] about How American machine builder JSI built a ‘truly connected’ machine using IIoT technology from HMS

Plenty attracts ‘largest-ever agriculture technology investment’ led by SoftBank to develop indoor farms in city centres

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A company called Plenty claims it has attracted the “largest-ever agriculture technology investment”. 

The company says the investment will drive its development of its global, large-scale indoor farm network to deliver “radically fresher, affordable food to local communities everywhere”.

Plenty describes itself as a “field-scale indoor farming company remaking the global food system”.  [Read more…] about Plenty attracts ‘largest-ever agriculture technology investment’ led by SoftBank to develop indoor farms in city centres

Framos and Pyxalis expand partnership on custom image sensors

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Framos, an image sensor distributor, and Pyxalis, a advanced custom image sensor supplier, have extended their collaboration.

Framos has been working with Pyxalis for several years and, after a very productive relationship, have entered into a formal agreement.

This partnership provides Framos partners with fully customized, high performance sensors, including sensor specification elaboration support, sensor architecture, design, prototyping, validation, industrialization and manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Framos and Pyxalis expand partnership on custom image sensors

Smartphones have created a whole new world of opportunities, says Hillcrest Labs boss

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Even for Apple, selling 60 million units of anything would be a big deal. For most small and medium sized companies, just six units might be the start of a wonderful voyage in the world of enterprise. 

For Hillcrest Labs, the journey started more than a decade ago, and over that time, the company has reached the milestone of having sold 60 million units.

Having started out selling software, the company moved into bundling that software into chips, which have become more elaborate over time and found an increasing number of applications.

In an exclusive interview with Robotics and Automation News, Chad Lucien, senior vice president of business development at Hillcrest Labs, tells the company’s story.  [Read more…] about Smartphones have created a whole new world of opportunities, says Hillcrest Labs boss

Software developer and integrator Universal Logic receives order for 60 Yaskawa Neocortex AI robotic work cells

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An industrial technology integrator called Universal Logic says it has receieved a large order for 60 of its specially designed robotic work cells. 

The company has developed a software-intense work cell which it calls Neocortex, aimed at supply chains and logistics operations which require automated material handling systems for high-mix, high volume applications.

Universal Logic’s Neocortex Goods to Robot Cells for automated order fulfillment of consumer goods have now been ordered by an undisclosed customer, who wants 60 complete cells for their order fulfillment of consumer goods.  [Read more…] about Software developer and integrator Universal Logic receives order for 60 Yaskawa Neocortex AI robotic work cells

Opec and big oil eyeing electric cars with trepidation, says Bloomberg

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The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Opec, and big oil companies around the world are looking at the growing popularity of electric cars anew, and revising their forecasts, according to a new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. 

The prospect of a massive trend that shows consumers turning away from petrol-driven vehicles would have huge implications for the oil industry.

Petrol-driven vehicles account for almost half of oil production demand, according to the US Department of Energy, while other sources say it’s more than 50 per cent.  [Read more…] about Opec and big oil eyeing electric cars with trepidation, says Bloomberg

Researchers create ‘extremely small’ sensor using ‘white graphene’

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Researchers from TU Delft in the Netherlands, in collaboration with a team at the University of Cambridge, have found a way to create and clean tiny mechanical sensors in a scalable manner.

They created these sensors by suspending a two-dimensional sheet of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), or “white graphene” over small holes in a silicon substrate. This innovation could lead to extremely small gas and pressure sensors for future electronics.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is an interesting material, since it has a honeycomb lattice structure similar to that of graphite. But while graphite conducts electricity, h-BN acts as an insulator.  [Read more…] about Researchers create ‘extremely small’ sensor using ‘white graphene’