Robotic assembly of large structures, made possible with swarms of relatively simple robots and construction materials organized like building blocks, could change how aircraft and buildings are constructed, said MIT researchers.
Sawyer Black Edition debuts as Rethink Robotics gets a new CEO
Rethink Robotics GmbH is following its plans to continue developing collaborative robots with the quieter and more precise Sawyer Black Edition.
Disassembly demonstration key to robotic remanufacturing
Engineers at the University of Birmingham have successfully designed a robotic system that can perform an important task in disassembling component parts.
Omron to debut mobile manipulator, integrated grippers at Pack Expo
Omron, an industry leader in end-to-end automation, will demonstrate an interactive collection of manufacturing equipment, including an autonomous mobile manipulator and Robotiq grippers integrated into its TM Series cobot.
Designing parallel grippers for collaborative robot precision
Providing the right motor for small precision devices can be challenging, as New Scale Robotics found when it designed a parallel gripper for cobots.
Aerospace assembly uses vision-guided Kawasaki robots for unique cell
Kawasaki’s R-series general purpose robots, in combination with 3D vision software, are helping an aerospace manufacturer increase product quality and throughput.
Vacuum grippers from Robotiq now compatible with Omron cobots
Manufacturers can start production faster with AirPick and EPick, says Robotiq.
LA R&D office opens new chapter for gripper maker OnRobot
OnRobot, which nakes grippers for cobots and industrial robots, is opening a new R&D office in LA. We spoke with the former CEO of Perception Robotics about OnRobot’s strategy.
Yaskawa PH-series robots provide long reach for press handling performance
Yaskawa Motoman’s new PH series robots are shelf-mounted and are available in tow models for different payloads and reach capacities.
PHD adds gripper options, transition plate to product line
PHD has released a new jaw-travel option for its GRR grippers, offered the Pneu-Connect X2 with dual grippers, and announced seventh-axis transition plates for its Series ESU and UR cobots.
Elephant Robotics’ Catbot designed to be a smaller, easier to use cobot
The new Catbot cobot from Elephant Robotics includes features such as voice control for ease of use.
ARC Specialties selects UR arm for new AI pipe-welding system
ARC Specialties has solved the challenge of creating repeatable pipe welds by combining AI, advanced sensors, and the UR5 cobot. The system debuts at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, May 6-9.
Productive Robotics adds ‘human senses’ to OB7 teachable robot
Productive Robotics is displaying its expanded line of OB7 collaborative robots at Automate this week. It says they are cheaper and easier to use than other cobots.
Epson Robots’ VT6L, IntelliFlex, LS robots focus on ease of use
CHICAGO — At Automate 2019 here this week, Epson Robots announced three different products designed to make industrial automation easier to use. The company said that its VT6L six-axis robot, IntelliFlex parts-feeding system, and four new models in the LS SCARA series are intended to bring precision and affordability to robotics users of all sizes.…
End of arm tooling: The secret sauce of collaborative applications
Smarter and more versatile end-of-arm tooling, or EOAT — sensors, grippers, and quick changers — empower robots to take over repetitive tasks. This can free them to handle adaptive, higher-precision, and more intelligent applications that in the past were too complex to automate. More importantly, these advanced tools enable collaborative applications that allow human workers…
maxon precision motors opens new U.S. HQ, manufacturing with room to grow
TAUNTON, Mass. — maxon precision motors inc., the U.S. division of Switzerland-based maxon motor AG, today officially opened its new U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Taunton, Mass. Building the new headquarters was a two-year process, said Chris Blake, president of maxon precision motors. “Taunton was very welcoming in a business and a social sense,”…
UR to address manufacturing labor shortage with new app solutions at Automate
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When U.S. manufacturers were asked to describe their primary business challenge, it wasn’t the increase of raw materials cost, trade uncertainties, or rising health insurance expenses that topped their lists. Close to 70 percent of manufacturers in the National Association of Manufacturers’ 2018 fourth-quarter outlook survey responded that attracting and retaining a…
FPE Automation to be Central U.S. distributor for Epson Robots
CARSON, Calif. — Epson Robots, the No. 1 SCARA robot manufacturer in the world, yesterday announced it signed FPE Automation Inc., a full-service, award-winning, stocking distributor of premier components for industry, as an official distributor for the full line of Epson Robots automation products. This includes Epson SCARA, 6-Axis, and Linear Module robots, as well as integrated solutions…
Safety, speed, and collaboration featured in Staubli’s TX2 robots, CS9 controllers
ANAHEIM, Calif. — At ATX West here this week, Stäubli International AG showed off its robot arms and controllers, including its TX2 collaborative robots, for meeting Industry 4.0 automation demands. Switzerland-based Stäubli displayed the capabilities of its six-axis TX2, including cobots for sensitive environments, in a “Smart Factory” setting. One flex-feeding demonstration used the TX2…
igus Delta Robot a Low-Cost Option for Assembly Tasks
igus has introduced a low-cost delta robot that can help small and medium-sized businesses get introduced to automation for an initial investment that is far less than units currently being used in manufacturing industries. The igus delta robot provides a thrifty and simple automation solution for assembly tasks. The low-maintenance, lightweight igus delta robot is…
Fuji SmartWing Robots Touting Ease of Use at IMTS 2018
Designed for the assembly of manufactured parts, Fuji Machine’s SmartWing Robots are revolutionizing the industry with remarkably easy, efficient and accessible automation. The Fuji SmartWing Robots will be on display at IMTS 2018 (September 10-15 in Chicago) in booth #339059. Engineered with cutting edge technology, Fuji SmartWing Robots offer unprecedented speed and ease of setup. In…
Visumatic adds cobot fastener feed and drive package
Visumatic has launched the VCM-3X.2 collaborative robot module, a complete assembly feed and drive end of arm tooling (EOAT) package for use by machine builders. The VCM-3X.2 module includes an automatic screwfeeder, drive system, skeleton robot program, and end effector for direct mounting to a collaborative robot wrist. The lightweight VCM-3X.2 allows maximum robot movement…