Robotics & Automation News

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friction

Kuka receives order for robotic work cells ‘in the double-digit million range’

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka is supplying 23 friction stir welding cells with integrated robots for the production of electric vehicles for an automotive customer.

The industrial automation specialist say it is the largest single order for robotic work cells in this area to date.

The Friction Stir Welding (FSW) cells with various technologies and Kuka KR Fortec robots are integrated into production lines for electric vehicles.

[Read more…] about Kuka receives order for robotic work cells ‘in the double-digit million range’

Democratizing Friction Stir Welding: High-Quality FSW at a Fraction of the Cost

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Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a distinctive solid-state joining process that diverges from traditional welding techniques, which often rely on melting materials.

Rather than using heat, FSW employs mechanical energy to fuse metals, delivering robust and pristine welds. Since its inception in the early 1990s, FSW has garnered the attention of industry experts, heralding a transformative phase in manufacturing.

Emphasizing precision and sustainability, FSW exemplifies how engineering advancements can revolutionize practices. [Read more…] about Democratizing Friction Stir Welding: High-Quality FSW at a Fraction of the Cost

Importance of Mechanical Seals in Industrial Robotics

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Technology has gone through a boon: electrical and mechanical engineering fields have seen unprecedented growth. The industry is churning out innovations never thought of before, and we are ushering into a new era of technological advancement.

One such technological advancement is Industrial Robotics. Industrial robotics refers to the production of robots to work on assembly lines. They can automate many menial jobs and increase efficiency. The market for industrial robots is growing at about 10 percent a year.

Due to their immense importance in the industry, assembly line robots must have flawless designs. Even minor problems in robot manufacturing can collapse the entire supply chain. [Read more…] about Importance of Mechanical Seals in Industrial Robotics

Hai Robotics partners with frictionless supply chain company Pop.capacity

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Hai Robotics has formed a partnership with frictionless supply chain company Pop.capacity.

With this partnership, Pop.capacity will be able to include Hai Robotics solutions as part of its portfolio offering to its customers in an effort to reduce friction points within their warehouses.

Pop.capacity is pioneering the frictionless supply chain. By combining years of supply chain experience, and a never before seen technology, they are uniquely positioned to bring a disruptive new solution to an industry full of unnecessary friction. [Read more…] about Hai Robotics partners with frictionless supply chain company Pop.capacity

Robotic grippers 3D-printed for packaging machines

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Plastic grippers made from 3D printing and tribofilaments from Igus are 85 percent and 70 percent cheaper than the majority of competitors in the packaging industry.

3D printing is one of the most important trends in the industry today. It allows single batches to become a reality, allowing for personalized serial production of watches, furniture, and shoes. Additive manufacturing can also be a benefit to the packaging industry.

Metal grippers can be expensive and take a long time to produce.A certain company, after trying to 3D-print grippers using standard plastics like ABS and PLA with poor results, turned to igus. [Read more…] about Robotic grippers 3D-printed for packaging machines

Your Know-All Guide to Friction Stir Welding Machines

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Welding machines are a big part of the manufacturing and heavy machinery industry. However, with time, they too have evolved to be better, faster, more precise, and definitely more eco-friendly. This new version stands in front of us as the Friction Stir Welding Machine.

For all those who are involved in these industries or have a genuine interest in these big machines, this article will be your perfect guide to know these machines better. [Read more…] about Your Know-All Guide to Friction Stir Welding Machines

Piab adds new size to its ‘bellows’ end-effector range

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Piab has further broadened its already extensive range of what are called “end-effectors” – basically the “hands” for robotic arms. 

Piab has extended its line of bellows flat friction suction cups to include a cup measuring 80 mm in diameter.

With this 80 mm cup, the company says it will fill the gap in its “highly competitive” range of DuraFlex friction cups. The new size BFFT80P-2 is available with 10 standard friction suction cup fittings. [Read more…] about Piab adds new size to its ‘bellows’ end-effector range

OnRobot launches new gripper for handling cylindrical objects

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OnRobot, the makers of robotics tools for collaborative applications, has released a compact, large-stroke three-finger gripper.

OnRobot says its 3FG15 makes previously hard-to-automate precision handling of cylindrical parts “easy to program and deploy, and provides flexibility for a wide range of part sizes”.

CEO of OnRobot, Enrico Krog Iversen, says: “Our new 3FG15 three-finger gripper was developed as a response to existing pneumatic three-finger grippers that are bulkier and less flexible. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new gripper for handling cylindrical objects

Researchers develop robot fingertips for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions

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A team of researchers at Kanazawa University has developed a robot control system – or fingertips – for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions.

The researchers say that the study was able to verify that “object grasping by soft surface fluid fingertips with high friction was controllable by applying a suitable lubricant”.

However, they added that it was necessary to do more experiments under various conditions in order to apply the current controlling technology to manufacturing environments. [Read more…] about Researchers develop robot fingertips for grasping and releasing objects in dry and wet conditions

Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems

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Industrial robot manufacturer Kuka says it has received an order in the “single-digit million euro range” from the Korean automotive supplier Donghee Industrial.

The order was booked in the second quarter of 2019.

Donghee relies on robot-based friction stir welding from Kuka in the area of electric mobility. [Read more…] about Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems