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Japan turning to robots because there’s not enough humans around

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FILE PHOTO: Humanoid robots work side by side with employees in the assembly line at a factory of Glory Ltd., a manufacturer of automatic change dispensers, in Kazo, north of Tokyo
Humanoid robots work side by side with employees in the assembly line at a factory of Glory, a manufacturer of automatic change dispensers, in Kazo, north of Tokyo, Japan. Reuters / Issei Kato / File Photo

By Stanley White, Reuters

Desperate to overcome Japan’s growing shortage of labour, mid-sized companies are planning to buy robots and other equipment to automate a wide range of tasks, including manufacturing, earthmoving and hotel room service.

According to a Bank of Japan survey, companies with share capital of 100 million yen to 1 billion yen plan to boost investment in the fiscal year that started in April by 17.5 percent, the highest level on record.

It is unclear how much of that is being spent on automation but companies selling such equipment say their order books are growing and the Japanese government says it sees a larger proportion of investment being dedicated to increasing efficiency. Revenue at many of Japan’s robot makers also rose in the January-March period for the first time in several quarters.  [Read more…] about Japan turning to robots because there’s not enough humans around

Video: Fanuc open to building manufacturing plant in outer space

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The world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer could build a facility in space.

In a wide-ranging interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, recorded at Hannover Messe, Neil Dueweke – who was competing to be heard over a loud musical band in the background – says the company has big ambitions. (See video below.)

“Anywhere there’s robotics involved, Fanuc will be there,” says Dueweke. “Space robotics? Why not?”

As far-fetched as it might sound, there are many projects involving robots in space – that’s in addition to the robotic rovers which are already widely known.

In one project, the European Space Agency is building a robot holiday resort on the Moon.

And Nasa has a large number of projects involving robots in space, and has even installed an outer space additive manufacturing facility which targets the alien market.  [Read more…] about Video: Fanuc open to building manufacturing plant in outer space

Kinova Robotics explains role of automation in health care to Senate committee

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jaco-stand small

Charles Deguire, president and co-founder of Kinova Robotics, explained the benefits of robotics in the health sector before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

The Committee invited Deguire to testify as senators study the role of automation in the health care system, particularly robotics, artificial intelligence and 3D printing, in direct and indirect care to patients and home care.

Charles Deguire, CEO of Kinova, said: “It is clear to us that the future of medicine depends on robotics and its great ability to empower humanity. People cannot imagine how many technological advances in medical robotics have been made in recent years.

“The scalpel and the hand have not changed in the past 100 years, it’s time for medicine to evolve. Kinova is actively working with surgeons to develop better tools for them and their patients.”  [Read more…] about Kinova Robotics explains role of automation in health care to Senate committee

HMS Industrial launches new EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP linking device

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hms profibus-to-ethernet-ip-linking-device

Communication specialist HMS Industrial Networks now releases the third product in their EtherNet/IP Linking Devices family.

The new EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP Linking Device allows users to connect devices on Profibus to a Rockwell ControlLogix or CompactLogix PLC.

Users will benefit from the unique integration into Studio5000 Logix Designer from Rockwell Automation, as all configuration is made from inside Studio 5000.The EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP Linking Device from HMS Industrial Networks.  [Read more…] about HMS Industrial launches new EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP linking device

Kollmorgen expands its AKM servo motor series

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Kollmorgen Motor AKM1

Kollmorgen says its new servo motor has energy efficiency, durability, power density, overload capability, and – crucially – is extra low voltage.

The new AKM DC servo motor low voltage with its 48-volt design was originally intended as a customer-specific solution for special areas of use.

Kollmorgen, a specialist in servo-drive technology and motion control will now offer this as a standard add-on to the AKM series, and thus as a new series product.  [Read more…] about Kollmorgen expands its AKM servo motor series

Video: Siemens predicts small number of companies will dominate industrial internet

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Only a small number of companies will dominate the industrial internet, according to a business development executive at Siemens, who was speaking to RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com at Hannover Messe. (See video below.) 

The German engineering giant recently launched its MindScape IoT platform and more than 50 individual apps for a variety of scenarios in industry.

Matthias Lutz, business development manager, digital factory division, Siemens, says: “I personally do see a couple of platforms co-existing in future, and maybe a couple of very specialised ones.

“But in the end, in my opinion, I think it’s a matter of two to three large platforms.”  [Read more…] about Video: Siemens predicts small number of companies will dominate industrial internet

Video: Dassault Systèmes to launch integrated new platform for 3D printing

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Dassault Systèmes is planning to launch an integrated 3D printing platform in the next few months, according to a senior executive at the company. 

In an interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, Philippe Bartissol, vice president, industrial equipment industry, Dassault Systèmes, says the the initiative will be announced in the next two months.

The initiative will “address the complete ecosystem of 3D printing”, says Bartissol, adding: “It will not be only one customer using our platform extensively.

“It will be several players from several fields jointly working on one platform, with payment possibilities and delivery possibilities as well.”  [Read more…] about Video: Dassault Systèmes to launch integrated new platform for 3D printing

Reed Switch Developments offers ‘best lead times’ in the industry for sensors

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Reed Switch Developments Corp Products

Reed Switch Developments, a US-based designer and manufacturer of standard and custom magnetic reed switch and proximity sensor assemblies for 50 years, is offering what it claims is the industry’s best lead times on all standard and custom reed switch sensors, magnetic reed switches and bare reeds, with availability of most stock quantities within two weeks or less.

Magnetic reed switches from Reed are available in single pole, single throw (SPST) formats, with choice of normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) contacts; as well as single pole, double throw (SPDT) configurations.

Customers can choose from a variety of materials with varying sensitivities and wattages, ranging from 0.25 W to 100 W.  [Read more…] about Reed Switch Developments offers ‘best lead times’ in the industry for sensors

Swisslog Americas forms automotive group

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Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions Americas has formed an automotive group and appointed Terry Krantz as vice president of sales and consulting.

Swisslog Warehouse and Distributions Solutions Americas, a Member of the Kuka Group and leading provider of best-in-class intralogistics solutions, announces the formation of a new automotive business unit focused on developing and delivering intralogistics automation to tier one suppliers and original equipment manufacturers.

Markus Schmidt, president of Swisslog WDS Americas, says: “Tier one suppliers and OEMs have already been turning to Swisslog and benefiting from our turnkey solutions designed to streamline their work-in-process manufacturing, kitting, and parts storage.  [Read more…] about Swisslog Americas forms automotive group

Aerotech demonstrates patent-pending motion control sensor

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Aerotech has launched a motion control sensor with a parallel-kinematic design which provides unmatched geometric performance, says company, adding that it also offers superior positioning resolution and linearity with the direct-metrology capacitive sensor.

Aerotech’s QNP3 series XYZ piezo positioning stages combine sub-nanometer resolution, high dynamics, and excellent geometric performance in a compact three-degree-of-freedom (DoF) package.

They come with a 40 mm x 40 mm clear aperture with closed-loop travels up to 100 µm x 100 µm x 10 µm (open-loop travels to 120 µm x 120 µm x 12 µm).

The design is ideal for optical and scanning probe microscopy or other inspection or manufacturing applications where two-sided part access is required with three-DoF manipulation.  [Read more…] about Aerotech demonstrates patent-pending motion control sensor