Robotics & Automation News

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manufacturing

Vecna Robotics expands partnership with UniCarriers Americas on automated materials handling equipment

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Vecna Robotics, an automation provider in the materials handling space, has expanded its partnership with UniCarriers Americas, part of the Mitsubishi Logisnext family companies – the third largest forklift manufacturer in the world.

Through this partnership, UniCarriers will manufacture and promote their best-in-class pallet jacks running Vecna Robotics’ Pivotal automation software.

With UniCarriers’ manufacturing capabilities, this alliance enables Vecna Robotics to satisfy soaring demand for automation solutions amongst their customer base, including the largest retailers, third-party logistics (3PLs) and manufacturers in North America. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics expands partnership with UniCarriers Americas on automated materials handling equipment

HOOPS Exchange 2020 ramps up support for manufacturing as a service

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Tech Soft 3D, a provider of software development toolkits to engineering software companies, has released HOOPS Exchange 2020.

The company describes it as “the industry’s fastest and most accurate CAD data access and reuse technology for manufacturing and architecture, engineering and construction workflows”.

Tech Soft adds that HOOPS Exchange 2020 continues to improve support for manufacturing as a service applications. [Read more…] about HOOPS Exchange 2020 ramps up support for manufacturing as a service

Special report: Robotics and automation in automotive manufacturing and supply chains

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in association with SICK AppSpace

The automotive industry is undergoing the most fundamental transformation in its history and, as this article suggests, a flexible approach to software development will become essential to companies that want to stay competitive.

As well as applications development, industry is experiencing the impact of other key technologies such as:

  • robotics and automation;
  • supply chains, warehousing and logistics;
  • digitalisation;
  • electric engines;
  • autonomous systems; and
  • connectivity, or the internet of things.

Clearly, it would be almost impossible to go into any great depth in a 2,000-word article, but we will at least bring to your attention the new technologies that are already changing the automotive landscape. [Read more…] about Special report: Robotics and automation in automotive manufacturing and supply chains

GM investing $40 million in Spring Hill plant

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General Motors is to invest $40 million in its Spring Hill Global Propulsion Systems plant to increase capacity of the 5.3L V8 engines for GM’s full-size truck and SUV programs.

The 5.3 V8 engine with Dynamic Fuel Management is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

This engine variant is available for select full-size trucks and SUVs, including Chevrolet’s Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban as well as the GMC Sierra. [Read more…] about GM investing $40 million in Spring Hill plant

Comau’s brief history of exoskeletons

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Since 1965, when the first exoskeleton was produced for military use, exoskeletons have been increasingly popular in the manufacturing world, supporting workers and improving the quality of their working hours. (See video below.)

In 2018 more than 7,000 units were sold in manufacturing, according to ABI Research data.

However, the potential market need would be 60,000 units for all types of exoskeleton, with an estimated growth rate of more than 50 percent from 2019 to 2024. [Read more…] about Comau’s brief history of exoskeletons

Saelig releases new embedded PC made by Amplicon

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Saelig has introduced the new Impact-D 100AL embedded PC, equipped with an extensive range of I/O ports, offering maximum flexibility as well as impressive graphics capabilities.

The Impact-D 100AL is powered by Intel Atom Apollo Lake series processor technology, offering exceptional performance, extensive expansion, and an operational lifecycle of 15 years, all within a compact and reliable design.

Designed to perform in the most demanding environments, the Impact-D 100AL utilizes a compact fanless design, avoiding dust and particles commonly found in manufacturing facilities. [Read more…] about Saelig releases new embedded PC made by Amplicon

ZVerse and Forecast 3D form partnership for CAD as a service

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ZVerse, developer of a “CAD as a service” platform for digital manufacturing, has partnered with Forecast 3D, a fastest-growing digital manufacturer, to provide ZVerse’s CAD as a Service platform to Forecast 3D’s customers.

This strategic partnership will give Forecast 3D customers direct access to the CADaaS platform on the Forecast 3D website.

It will make ZVerse’s AI-enabled system and network of certified 3D designers available to customers of Forecast 3D. [Read more…] about ZVerse and Forecast 3D form partnership for CAD as a service

8 Trends in 3D Printing

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HP has released its list of predictions for 3D printing and digital manufacturing in 2020.

Informed by extensive interviews with a team of experts, this year’s research identifies top trends that will have a major impact on advancing Industry 4.0 such as the need for more sustainable production, how automation will transform the factory floor, and the rise of data and software as the backbone of digital manufacturing.

Pete Basiliere, founder, Monadnock Insights, says: “The year ahead will be a time of realizing 3D printing and digital manufacturing’s true potential across industries. [Read more…] about 8 Trends in 3D Printing

ABB and Ericsson showcase 5G networks for industrial robots

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ABB and Ericsson, together with Swisscom, demonstrated for the first time how “easily and effectively” robots can be controlled over wide distances utilizing the real-time communication capabilities of 5G.

ABB showcased the potential of no-latency communication enabled by 5G to world leaders during the recent World Economic Forum, in Davos.

At the Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland, an ABB YuMi collaborative robot was seen carving a message in a sandbox that was replicated at the same time by a second YuMi robot located 1.5 km away. [Read more…] about ABB and Ericsson showcase 5G networks for industrial robots

ForwardX Aiming to Deliver ‘Best-in-Class’ Autonomous Mobile Robots

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By Nic Temple, Vice President of Sales for the Americas at ForwardX Robotics

Given the proliferation of warehouses, distribution centers, direct to consumer (D2C) business models, fleets of AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), questioning the validity of innovation is worthy of examination.

Unlike in prior years when attendees would walk the show floor for days, many are using the MHI MODEX app and visiting for just a single day.

For that reason, a compelling innovation from ForwardX (Booth 1207) should be the first stop for serious AMR decision-makers. [Read more…] about ForwardX Aiming to Deliver ‘Best-in-Class’ Autonomous Mobile Robots