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Celanese suggests replacing metal parts in robots with polymers

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Choosing materials is one of the most important decisions when designing and building a machine such as a robot, particularly one that moves around, like an autonomous warehouse robot or an automated guided vehicle. 

Most of the machines this website features in its articles and advertising use metals for the vast majority of their components. Even the outer casing on most industrial robots tends to be a metal such as iron or steel.

However, according to an expert at Celanese, one of the largest materials companies in the world, the vast majority of components and parts that are currently made out of metal can actually be replaced with polymers or thermoplastics. [Read more…] about Celanese suggests replacing metal parts in robots with polymers

7 Supply Chain Technology Trends Shaping a Sustainable Future

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In almost all industries, companies are confronted with the sustainability challenges induced by climate change, scarcity of natural resources, and ever-shifting customer demands.

In general, a sustainable supply chain is one that ensures to balance the economic, social, and environmental performances – such as better assurance of human rights, ethical work practices, carbon footprint reduction, waste management, and resource efficiency. [Read more…] about 7 Supply Chain Technology Trends Shaping a Sustainable Future

IAM Robotics partners with Tompkins Robotics to develop order fulfillment solution

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IAM Robotics has joined forces with Tompkins Robotics to create a new robotic application to automate the exit process of order fulfillment.

Developed by Tompkins, the new application enhances the current t-Sort system with the addition of xChange to autonomously remove completed order containers from sortation and replace them with empty order containers at one time. xChange is based on IAM Robotics’ latest robot, Atlas.

Thanks to the industry-leading features of xChange, companies are even closer to experiencing human-free automated sortation. [Read more…] about IAM Robotics partners with Tompkins Robotics to develop order fulfillment solution

Ultimation Industries introduces warehouse robots from Nord-Modules

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Ultimation Industries has introduced autonomous mobile robot – also known as warehouse robots – from Nord-Modules. The company says they provide its clients with more flexible material handling solutions. 

They provide more flexible material handling when used in conjunction with Motor-Driven Roller (MDR) and other conveyor systems, according to Ultimation Industries. Ultimation is a woman-owned leader in conveyor technology and automation for over 30 years.

Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries, says: “AMRs have become common in large distribution companies such as Amazon and some Fortune 500 companies. [Read more…] about Ultimation Industries introduces warehouse robots from Nord-Modules

Universal Robots develops interface for Siemens engineering portal

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Universal Robots, the world’s largest collaborative robots manufacturer, has developed an interface for the engineering portal of Siemens, one of the world’s largest industrial technology companies.

The companies say that integrating Universal Robots’ collaborative robots into complex machines and manufacturing environments will soon be a process machine builders and systems integrators can “seamlessly handle” through the Siemens Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) portal.

The UR collaborative robots will become part of the Simatic Robot Library within Siemens’ TIA environment through an interpreter interface planned to be completed within the fourth quarter of 2021. [Read more…] about Universal Robots develops interface for Siemens engineering portal

Teradyne, Fetch, and BlueBotics named as ‘market leaders’ in ABI Research’s autonomous material handling competitive ranking

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The market for autonomous mobile robots performing material handling tasks has expanded greatly in the last few years, with global revenues of $223 million in 2016 expanding to $800 million in 2020, according to a new report by ABI Research.

To help commentators and end users understand the strongest horses in this race, global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research has completed a detailed profile on ten of the most promising autonomous handling robotics vendors: Teradyne, Fetch, Bluebotics, Seegrid, Gideon Brothers, Agilox, Baylo, IAM Robotics, Vecna Robotics, and Forward X. [Read more…] about Teradyne, Fetch, and BlueBotics named as ‘market leaders’ in ABI Research’s autonomous material handling competitive ranking

Fictiv raises $35 million to expand its digital manufacturing ecosystem

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As the pace of digital transformation in manufacturing continues to accelerate, Fictiv has raised $35 million in new funding led by 40 North Ventures to “aggressively expand” Fictiv’s digital manufacturing ecosystem.

Honeywell, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Adit Ventures, and M20 also participated, along with previous investors including Accel, G2VP, and Bill Gates, bringing Fictiv’s total investment to $92 million.

The Series D investment will be used to advance its proven cloud-based platform technology and invest in its supply chain operations and network infrastructure. [Read more…] about Fictiv raises $35 million to expand its digital manufacturing ecosystem

Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to develop autonomous shuttles

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Mobileye, an Intel Company, Transdev Autonomous Transport System (ATS), part of Transdev Group dedicated to autonomous mobility solutions, and Lohr Group, a mobility solutions manufacturer, have agreed a strategic collaboration to develop and utilize autonomous shuttles.

The companies are integrating Mobileye’s self-driving system into the i-Cristal electric shuttle, manufactured by Lohr Group, with plans to integrate it into public transportation services powered by fleets of self-driving shuttles across the globe, starting in Europe.

Johann Jungwirth, vice president of Mobility-as-a-Service at Mobileye, says: “Our collaboration with Transdev ATS and Lohr Group serves to grow Mobileye’s global footprint as the autonomous vehicle (AV) technology partner of choice for pioneers in the transportation industry. [Read more…] about Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to develop autonomous shuttles

How are AGVs different from AMRs?

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Automating internal supply chain or logistic flows is always a challenge for both big and small companies. With more and more sophisticated systems, companies are increasingly looking to replace operator dependency and let robots handle the goods transfer activity.

Two automation systems are customer’s go-to option for goods/pallet movement: automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

While AGVs have been around for a long time, drastically increasing their functionality and technology over time, AMRs are gaining traction in recent times. [Read more…] about How are AGVs different from AMRs?

Fanuc and Rockwell Automation launch robotics and automation apprenticeship programs

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Fanuc America and Rockwell Automation have formed a coalition to introduce accelerated work and learn apprenticeship programs designed to “upskill current and future workers for jobs in advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation”.

The coalition includes APT, a Fanuc and Rockwell Automation systems integrator, and NOCTI Business Solutions, which provides independent assessments of occupational standards and validation using recognized International Organization for Standardization (ISO) process validation methods.

Franklin Apprenticeships is also a key partner of the coalition, ensuring apprenticeship support structure and success enablers for employers and apprentices. [Read more…] about Fanuc and Rockwell Automation launch robotics and automation apprenticeship programs