Robotics & Automation News

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manufacturing

Yaskawa takes center stage at Africa Automation Technology Fair

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As one of the largest manufacturers of industrial robots, Yaskawa Southern Africa took part in this year’s Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF), where various experts in the manufacturing industry gathered to exchange valuable industry expertise to increase investment prospects in the African continent’s manufacturing sector. The event, which celebrated its 25th year, centred around the theme of “For Africa from Africa”.

The AATF promotes and is passionate about furthering Africa’s transformation and promoting the development and growth of the continent’s automation industry.

Yaskawa Southern Africa was one of 150 exhibitors on display at the event, which took place from 9th to 11th May 2023, and showcased its collaborative robotic welding solution, Weld4me. This transformative piece of automated equipment presents an alternative or support to manual MIG/MAG welding with air-cooled welding equipment. [Read more…] about Yaskawa takes center stage at Africa Automation Technology Fair

What are the Differences between Rapid Tooling and Conventional Tooling?

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In today’s manufacturing technology, rapid tooling has become a more popular way for companies to create tools, molds, or prototypes for their products. But, is it better than the conventional tooling method?

In this guide, you will learn about the key differences between rapid tooling and conventional tooling and how rapid tooling can be better than conventional tooling. [Read more…] about What are the Differences between Rapid Tooling and Conventional Tooling?

Georgia Tech partners with Stilfold to advance ‘industrial origami’ engineering program

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Georgia Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering is partnering with Stockholm-based startup Stilfold to roll out a pioneering initiative that will teach students innovative new approaches to sustainable manufacturing, inspired by the Japanese art of origami.

Stilfold is a leading design and technology startup pioneering the use of curve folding and robotics to build things more sustainably. The company says its “groundbreaking technology”, dubbed “industrial origami”, involves the use of robots to fold flat sheet metal over curves to create strong and sustainable new structures.

The tech is currently being used to build a lightweight electric motorcycle called the Stilride 1; and the world’s first climate-neutral car (in partnership with Polestar). [Read more…] about Georgia Tech partners with Stilfold to advance ‘industrial origami’ engineering program

Ready Robotics ‘making robotics system design easier’ for non-programmers

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Robotics hardware traditionally requires programmers to deploy it. Ready Robotics wants to change that with its “no code” software aimed at people working in manufacturing who haven’t got programming skills.

The Columbus, Ohio, startup is a spinout of robotics research from Johns Hopkins University. Kel Guerin was a PhD candidate there leading this research when he partnered with Benjamin Gibbs, who was at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, to land funding and pursue the company, now led by Gibbs as CEO.

Guerin, who’s now chief innovation officer at the startup, says: “There was this a-ha moment where we figured out that we could take these types of visual languages that are very easy to understand and use them for robotics.” [Read more…] about Ready Robotics ‘making robotics system design easier’ for non-programmers

A Helpful Guide to CNC Machining

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Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines are computer-programmed automated tools used in manufacturing to monitor and control movements and machine operations. Many manufacturing companies, including automotive, aerospace, and prototyping, use these machines to enhance their products and processes.

The best part is that CNC machines offer accuracy and precision, producing parts with tight tolerances while maintaining uniformity and quality. Once you understand how they operate, they’re also not that challenging to use.

This guide covers the basics of CNC machining, including the types, components, key considerations, and application. Read on for more information. [Read more…] about A Helpful Guide to CNC Machining

BlueBotics to showcase interoperability tech for mobile robots at Automate Show

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At this year’s Automate Show, AGV/AMR navigation specialist BlueBotics will highlight how its ANT server management software enables the creation of multi-brand fleets.

Its team will also join forces with partner Oceaneering Mobile Robotics to host a seminar dedicated to building the business case for automated vehicle technology.

BlueBotics CEO Nicolas Tomatis, says: “As the AGV market grows and continues to mature, more businesses are realizing the need for scalable custom fleets, which can incorporate different types and even brands of vehicle. [Read more…] about BlueBotics to showcase interoperability tech for mobile robots at Automate Show

RoboDK partners with Force Technology and Hexagon to make gears easier to repair

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Force Technology, a Danish technology consultancy and service company, has completed in partnership with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence and RoboDK . The companies describe it as “a revolutionary project” focused on making gear repair a more sustainable process for manufacturers.

The purpose of the project was to improve laser welding procedures and determine if sustainable gear repair was possible using robot toolpath programming, digital twin, simulation, and post-processing.

Improving this practical application with robot simulation reveals a sustainable gear repair process that can guarantee high-quality results. [Read more…] about RoboDK partners with Force Technology and Hexagon to make gears easier to repair

Thira Robotics to showcase new AMR at Automate Show

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Thira Robotics will showcase its latest autonomous mobile robot technology at the Automate Show, where it will demonstrate how the company “guided global manufacturing, healthcare, and construction leaders in augmenting 24/7 staff services”.

Thira says demand from the market has been “strong” following its US launch in March and says it plans to show how triple safety systems overcome obstacles of first-generation AMRs.

Demos of real-life-ready logistics AMRs with the capability to navigate settings with highly complex human traffic, sloped floors, liquid spills, elevators, narrow hallways, and more are 0also planned. [Read more…] about Thira Robotics to showcase new AMR at Automate Show

Stilfold patents its ‘industrial origami’ manufacturing technology

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Swedish design and technology company Stilfold – the parent company of electromobility startup Stilride – has been granted its first patent right for its innovative “industrial origami” manufacturing technology.

Stilfold’s technology enables designers to produce complex, light and sustainable structures by folding flat sheet metal over curves using computational design and advanced robotics.

The Swedish patent covers the core technology that enables Stilfold to design and build sophisticated products using origami-inspired curve folding. [Read more…] about Stilfold patents its ‘industrial origami’ manufacturing technology

Generative design: nTopology blazing a trail through 3D printing world

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One of the most impressive features of the nTopology design application is that it requires substantially less computing power. According to the company’s – and its partners’ – calculations, file sizes can be 99 percent smaller compared with traditional 3D design software. 

Traditional, long-established software for 3D design tends to be very memory-hungry and can seriously stress out processors. nTop, on the other hand, can provide the same functionality if used on a laptop as traditional 3D design applications would if run on a supercomputer – because nTop was specifically designed for today’s 3D printing and design requirements.

The way nTop does this is difficult to explain for a non-technical journalist, but essentially, the nTop software does away with such things as extrusion, which is a fundamental concept and requirement in traditional 3D design applications. [Read more…] about Generative design: nTopology blazing a trail through 3D printing world