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manufacturing

SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

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Global semiconductor manufacturing industry association SEMI has expressed its backing for the US government’s initiative to support to chipmaking in America.

Facing a staggering “50 percent decline” in the US share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity over the past 20 years, Congress has introduced the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act – also known as CHIPS for America Act.

The measures called for in the Act include a federal investment tax credit, which is “strongly supported” by SEMI, which represents the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. [Read more…] about SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

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By Maya Xiao of Interact Analysis

The coronavirus pandemic which has devastated economies worldwide is expected to reduce revenues in the industrial robot market by more than 8 per cent, according to a study by Interact Analysis.

“After a weak 2019, we originally expected the 2020 robot market to recover strongly, but Covid-19 changed the market revenue growth forecast from 4.8 percent to -3.6 percent,” writes Maya Xiao, automation market expert at Interact Analysis.

Global industrial robot shipments experienced negative growth for four consecutive quarters from mid-2018, she says. At the end of 2019, recovery signs appeared, and the mid-term growth rate turned positive. This turnaround happened in the context of a continued slowdown in general global manufacturing activity, which led to weak spending on machinery and automation equipment. [Read more…] about Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

International Manufacturing Technology Show cancelled for first time since World War 2

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One of the world’s largest trade shows, the International Manufacturing Technology Show, held every two years in Chicago, United States, has been cancelled for first time since World War 2.

The organisers cited concerns over coronavirus as the main reason.

In a press release, IMTS says: “Because of health and safety requirements imposed by the state of Illinois for holding conventions, which include the availability of a vaccine for the Covid-19 virus or a highly effective treatment protocol, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show has announced that it has cancelled IMTS 2020.” [Read more…] about International Manufacturing Technology Show cancelled for first time since World War 2

CNC vs Robotics: Which One is Better in the Manufacturing Segment?

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Within the modern manufacturing industry, both CNC machining and robotics are crucial elements of automation.

There is, however, some confusion regarding whether CNC can be considered as a part of robotics itself, or if the preprogrammed machining system deserves a category of its own.

A more important and practical query on the other hand is the simple, comparative question – which technology is better? [Read more…] about CNC vs Robotics: Which One is Better in the Manufacturing Segment?

TPM to offer AI-driven on-demand manufacturing platform from ZVerse360

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Digital manufacturing technology company ZVerse has partnered with TPM to license its AI-enabled on-demand manufacturing platform, ZVerse360.

TPM will run production through the ZVerse360 platform and fulfill projects through its in-house production group, as well as leverage into TPM’s extensive manufacturing customer base across the Southeast.

The ZVerse360 platform aims to simplify and accelerate the design-to-production process, through an end-to-end solution for on-demand digital manufacturing, including CAD as a Service (CADaaS), instant quoting, e-commerce, workflow management and access to the ZVerse production partner network. [Read more…] about TPM to offer AI-driven on-demand manufacturing platform from ZVerse360

Delta acquires industrial automation software company Trihedral

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Delta Electronics is to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Trihedral Engineering, a Canadian SCADA and IIoT software company, for more than $33 million.

The acquisition will unite Delta’s hardware and Trihedral’s software in the rapidly growing field of automation, AI, and data analytics.

Delta says the initiative will further strengthen its sales expansion in various fields such as industrial automation for smart manufacturing. [Read more…] about Delta acquires industrial automation software company Trihedral

Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

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Mitsubishi Electric has launched what is believed to be its first series of collaborative robots, which the company has named “Melfa Assista” (main picture).

The “RV-5AS-D” model of the cobot has a 5 kg load capacity and 6-axis movement.

The company says the robots can work collaboratively with humans based on safety features such as collision detection and strict compliance with the international safety and robotic standards ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS15066.

The series also will introduce an intuitive engineering software, RT VisualBox, for “quick, easy system deployment”, says Mitsubishi. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

GM and LG Chem prepare ground at new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown

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General Motors and LG Chem have started to prepare the ground at their new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown. 

The two companies have established a joint venture called “Ultium Cells” for the battery cell manufacturing business.

Construction has started with ground prep activities for the future site of the Ultium battery cell manufacturing facility in Lordstown. [Read more…] about GM and LG Chem prepare ground at new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown

Groupe PSA restarts manufacturing at facilities in a ‘progressive’ way

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Groupe PSA – which owns automotive brands such as Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall – says it is restarting manufacturing at facilities in a “progressive and secured” way.

The company says it has reinforced health measures, shared with the social partners, and deployed before any restart of activity with voluntary employees.

It says it will start an audit campaign to guarantee their “perfect implementation in 100 percent of the group’s industrial, commercial, tertiary and research and development sites”. [Read more…] about Groupe PSA restarts manufacturing at facilities in a ‘progressive’ way

Critical Manufacturing and Tata Consultancy Services partnership to develop ‘modern MES’

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Critical Manufacturing has agreed a global consulting and services partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, a global leader in IT services, consulting and business solutions.

Under the agreement, TCS will offer global consulting, project development and implementation support services around Critical Manufacturing’s Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for customers in the complex discrete industry, including the semiconductor, PCB manufacturing, medical device, aerospace and defense, and automotive segments.

Regu Ayyaswamy, global head, internet of things and engineering services, TCS, says: “TCS works with leading manufacturers globally, helping them scale up product innovation and pursue their growth and transformation initiatives. [Read more…] about Critical Manufacturing and Tata Consultancy Services partnership to develop ‘modern MES’