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SICK adds flagship safety light curtain to US production lines

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SICK has launched new flagship light curtain line called deTec4

As a sensor supplier for major manufacturers throughout the United States, SICK has local United States production capabilities that enables us to better serve its customers to keep the supply chain moving.

SICK produces materials in a close-to-the-market fashion, with a regional focus.

In the US, SICK has positioned production sites in each region to meet the demand from customers in each region. [Read more…] about SICK adds flagship safety light curtain to US production lines

Overcoming metrology bottlenecks in additive manufacturing

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By Eric Felkel, product manager optical profilers, Zygo Corporation

Undoubtedly there are many benefits associated with the use of additive manufacturing as a production technology.

Across industries, manufacturers exploit the fact that through the use of additive manufacturing they can not only build complex parts – in one piece – which were previously impossible, but they can also build stronger, lighter weight parts, reduce material consumption, and benefit from assembly component consolidation across a range of applications.

These advantages have been well documented during the last 10-20 years as additive manufacturing has emerged as a truly disruptive technology for not just prototyping but also production, and are invariably seen as being enabled by the additive hardware that builds the parts. [Read more…] about Overcoming metrology bottlenecks in additive manufacturing

Mimaki expands portfolio with large-scale 3D printer

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Mimaki Europe, a manufacturer of inkjet printers and cutting systems, has launched its new Mimaki 3DGD-1800 3D printer, facilitating large-scale production up to three times faster than with conventional Fused Filament Fabrication type 3D printers.

The Mimaki 3DGD-1800 3D printer connects the company’s 2D printing expertise and 3D technology innovations, providing customers with a cost-effective, total solution for 3D sign and display applications.

Capable of producing objects up to 1.8 metres tall in just seven hours – with its assembly-based design allowing for the creation of even larger designs – the innovative 3D printing system boasts a number of clever time- and cost-saving features, including dual-head configuration to enable the simultaneous output of two structures. [Read more…] about Mimaki expands portfolio with large-scale 3D printer

Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

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Automation technology is playing a critical role helping safeguard people and processes during the global coronavirus crisis, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

A3 is a US industrial association representing members in robotics, vision and imaging, motion control and motors, artificial intelligence and related automation technologies who are now part of the large ecosystem taking part in the battle against Covid-19.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “These critical automation technologies are keeping people safe, helping develop new medicines and treatments, producing key products people need today, and filling other essential roles. [Read more…] about Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

Kuka secures contract worth ‘millions’ to supply automation technology to manufacture battery packs

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Kuka, one of the world’s largest industrial automation companies, says it has secured a contract “worth millions” in the future-oriented market of electro-mobility.

Kuka says it won the contract for the planning and supply of a fully automated battery pack line. It adds that it is a “major double-digit million euro order”.

Starting 2021, battery systems for fully electric vehicles in the premium segment will be manufactured in this production facility, which will feature at least 50 Kuka robots. [Read more…] about Kuka secures contract worth ‘millions’ to supply automation technology to manufacture battery packs

The Motorcycle Industry and the Use of Production Robots

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In recent years, the use of production robots has revolutionized the motorcycle industry. The use of robots is a new trend that is implemented by many brands because of the improvement in productivity.

When it comes to this industry, robots are used for a large array of uses, from painting, to the actual assembly process and welding.

So, let’s take a look at the companies that started using robots and what they have to say about the results of this transition. [Read more…] about The Motorcycle Industry and the Use of Production Robots

How Automation is Disrupting All Kinds of Manufacturing in 2020

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We are entering an era of smart factories and automated manufacturing. While many speculate it to be the end of manual labor as we know it, the evidence points in a different direction.

Industrial automation has ushered new ways that machines and human effort can collaborate to increase efficiency and drive down complexity.

This is especially true for the emerging automation technologies which, in the past few years, are disrupting all kinds of manufacturing. [Read more…] about How Automation is Disrupting All Kinds of Manufacturing in 2020

Open Manufacturing Platform expands with new industrial giants joining

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The Open Manufacturing Platform has expanded, with new steering committee members and new working groups established.

OMP is an alliance founded in 2019 to help manufacturing companies accelerate innovation at scale through cross-industry collaboration, knowledge and data sharing as well as access to new technologies.

The OMP was founded under the umbrella of the Joint Development Foundation, which is part of the Linux Foundation. [Read more…] about Open Manufacturing Platform expands with new industrial giants joining

Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

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The world’s leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics, automatica, will take place in Munich from June 16 to 19.

One main focus of the event will be on making automobile production more flexible.

Numerous exhibitors will present alternatives to conventional assembly line production with stationary conveyor technology, for example driverless transport systems and, of course, cobots for human-robot collaboration applications. [Read more…] about Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

InoBat Auto secures funding from Slovakian government to build €1 billion ‘Gigafactory’

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InoBat Auto, a battery production company providing new energy solutions for electric vehicles, has secured funding to build a research and development centre to support the construction of a 10 GWh Gigafactory in Slovakia – the world’s biggest car producer per capita.

The investment from the Slovakian Government has contributed to the €100 million first-phase fund raising to deliver the Gigafactory, which will deploy state-of-the-art battery technology with the potential to provide an estimated 240,000 electric vehicles with cutting edge batteries by 2024.

InoBat Auto says its planned Gigafactory will catapult Europe to become a leading global force in the electric vehicle battery industry. [Read more…] about InoBat Auto secures funding from Slovakian government to build €1 billion ‘Gigafactory’