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SICK shrinks its PowerProx sensor to miniature size

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SICK has shrunk its versatile, high-performance PowerProx sensor into a space-saving miniature housing to reach the longest distances ever achieved with such a compact device.

The tiny SICK WTT4SL PowerProx Mini photoelectric sensor measures just 12.2 x 41.8 x 17.3 mm yet delivers outstanding performance to detect objects up to 1.3metres away. It is therefore ideal for high-speed production and logistics applications.

The PowerProx mini can be integrated into tight machine spaces such as the grippers of picking robots or for materials handling duties in AGVs, as well as for empty bay and clearance detection in high-bay warehouses. [Read more…] about SICK shrinks its PowerProx sensor to miniature size

I-PEX Torque Sensor and Gripper Help Eliminate Errors in Factories

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PRESS RELEASE: Austin, Texas, June 26, 2020

I-PEX has integrated the technologies of our ESTORQ® Torque Sensor and the ES-Gripper to help eliminate human errors on the factory floor by using automatic insertion of connectors. This helps reduce rework, saving both time and money.

The ESTORQ Sensor was designed to detect and control torque being generated by the revolving motion of different kinds of robots and automated assembly machines.

Its main feature is to detect external force and automatically stop when the robot senses interference. This helps robots and humans to work side-by-side without fear of being harmed by a moving robotic arm. [Read more…] about I-PEX Torque Sensor and Gripper Help Eliminate Errors in Factories

SICK AppSpace adds new functions for 2D and 3D machine vision integration

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SICK AppSpace has added new functions to enable 2D and 3D machine vision integration.

The sensors specialist says the new functionality will enable system designers to “easily create individual SensorApps on their own without programming skills”.

The company says this will enable them to solve entirely new automation tasks. [Read more…] about SICK AppSpace adds new functions for 2D and 3D machine vision integration

Bosch says its new chip is ‘revolutionizing navigation’

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Bosch, one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive components, says a new chip has invented is “revolutionizing navigation”.

The company says its new MEMS sensor – the SMI230 – is a highly precise sensor which constantly registers changes in the vehicle’s direction and speed, evaluates the information, and transmits it to the navigation system.

There, the information is combined with the positional data from the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and used for navigation. [Read more…] about Bosch says its new chip is ‘revolutionizing navigation’

AMS launches new position sensors for high-speed electric motors to ‘improve car industry’s electrification efforts’

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AMS, a supplier of high performance sensor solutions, has introduced new position sensors that it says lower system cost and enhance electrification of safety-critical vehicle functions such as power steering, active damper control, and braking for safer, smarter, and greener cars.

The two new position sensors – the ams AS5147U and the AS5247U – bring new benefits and a lower system cost to the automotive industry, says ams.

The ams AS5147U is an intelligent magnetic rotary position sensor chip for use in electric motors that run at speeds up to 28,000 rpm. [Read more…] about AMS launches new position sensors for high-speed electric motors to ‘improve car industry’s electrification efforts’

Fanuc unveils new vision sensor for robotic warehousing applications

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Fanuc America, the leading supplier of robotics, CNCs, RoboMachine’s and industrial IoT solutions recently demonstrated its new 3DV/1600 vision sensor.

Fanuc demonstrated the sensor at the show, an M-710iC/45M robot used the 3DV/1600 vision sensor to quickly find and snap boxes of varying sizes and shapes in a large bin.

The robot picked each package and dropped it into another bin. Once a bin was emptied, the sensor moved to the full bin and the cycle repeated. [Read more…] about Fanuc unveils new vision sensor for robotic warehousing applications

Nvidia offers glimpse into Silicon Valley simulator in the cloud used for autonomous car development

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As much of the world continues to conduct business from home, Nvidia’s autonomous test vehicles are hard at work in the cloud. (See video below.)

During the GTC 2020 keynote, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang demonstrated how Nvidia Drive technology is being developed and tested in simulation.

While physical testing is temporarily paused, the cloud-based Nvidia Drive Constellation platform makes it possible to dispatch virtual vehicles in virtual environments to continue making great progress in self-driving technology. [Read more…] about Nvidia offers glimpse into Silicon Valley simulator in the cloud used for autonomous car development

University students compete in SICK’s second annual TiM$10k Challenge

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For the second consecutive year, sensor manufacturer SICK invited students from universities around the country to participate in the company’s TiM$10K Challenge.

The challenge started in 2018 to support innovation and student achievement in automation and technology.

Teams were supplied with a 270° SICK LiDAR sensor (TiM) and accessories and challenged to solve a problem, create a solution, or bring a new application to any industry that utilizes the SICK LiDAR. [Read more…] about University students compete in SICK’s second annual TiM$10k Challenge

SICK launches new sensor for ‘accurate leak detection with one device’

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SICK has launched a new sensor that it says enables “accurate leak detection with one device”.

Energy efficiency and transparency are playing an increasingly important role in the manufacturing world.

To help improve energy management, SICK has developed the FTMg, a multifunctional thermal flowmeter sensor for the detection of gas flow, temperature, and process pressure. [Read more…] about SICK launches new sensor for ‘accurate leak detection with one device’

Machine builder Fill becomes first to upgrade to TTTech’s Nerve Blue IIoT edge network

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Machine and plant manufacturing company Fill is the first to upgrade to the latest version of TTTech Industrial’s Nerve Blue internet of things network, released in April 2020.

Nerve Blue software enables users to gain insights into industrial processes and make decisions based on data gathered from machines around the world.

With Nerve Blue, data is accessed directly from the machine, and then stored, processed and analyzed either at the device, on a local server or in the cloud. [Read more…] about Machine builder Fill becomes first to upgrade to TTTech’s Nerve Blue IIoT edge network