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Robotics in an Industry 4.0 environment

Robotics in an Industry 4.0 environment

On show at PPMA stand B34 this September, automation and controls specialist Omron will give original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and integrators a real insight into new developments in integrated control, high-speed robotics, and how real-time data interchange between production-line operations and enterprise-wide IT systems can meet Industry 4.0 expectations. Pictured right: Omron’s delta robot range […]

By June 15, 2015 Read More →
Robots will become the norm in food processing

Robots will become the norm in food processing

There have not been that many robots used in food processing industries to date but we are on the cusp of a sea change, says Chris Evans, Marketing & Operations Group Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV Automation Systems Division. Five years from now they will be very much the norm. Modern food processing industries […]

By June 12, 2015 Read More →
Robotics software for gantry applications

Robotics software for gantry applications

Fully fledged robot functions for simple gantry systems and automatic stackers can be designed more easily with the new robotics module in the Lenze FAST application software. Lenze says it is paving the way for easily configurating coordinated motion along several axes, with a powerful pick and place module that has everything engineers need for […]

By June 10, 2015 Read More →
CP palletizing robot range boosts productivity

CP palletizing robot range boosts productivity

CP palletizing robot models from Kawasaki Robotics are capable of operating at 2,050 cycles per hour with a payload of 130kg. Along with this high throughput, the CP palletizing robot range also offer a wide working range and ease of programming. Kawasaki says the weight of the CP palletizing robot has been reduced by 38% […]

By June 10, 2015 Read More →
Schunk gripper replicates human hand

Schunk gripper replicates human hand

Schunk says has now taken automation innovation to a new level with the launch of its SVH line of servo-electric 5-finger gripping hand. The hand replicates the movements and characteristics of the human hand with its four fingers and a thumb configuration. With a total of nine drives, the remarkable movement range of the SVH […]

By June 9, 2015 Read More →
On the cusp of a robotics revolution

On the cusp of a robotics revolution

In this month’s podcast, we look at how new, low cost, safe robots are redefining the robotics market, heralding a new era in collaborative robotics. In particular, we look at the potential for low cost automation by examining the first £1000 industrial robot. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/209326286" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

By June 8, 2015 Read More →
Robot masters skills through trial and error

Robot masters skills through trial and error

UC Berkeley researchers have developed algorithms that enable robots to learn motor tasks through trial and error using a process that more closely approximates the way humans learn, marking a major milestone in the field of artificial intelligence. Pictured right: BRETT is shown learning how to screw a cap onto a water bottle (photo courtesy […]

By June 8, 2015 Read More →
FANUC robot picks sweetcorn cobs quickly

FANUC robot picks sweetcorn cobs quickly

A successful UK factory trial involving a FANUC M-10iA series robot and a novel vacuum gripper technology has proved that it is possible to pick and place sweetcorn cobs at speeds of 180 packs per minute. Besides providing proof of principle that robotics can be employed to handle this challenging product, the trial demonstrated that […]

By June 6, 2015 Read More →
Gluing robot speeds up lawn mower production

Gluing robot speeds up lawn mower production

Automation is no longer just the mainstay of manufacturing as more and more of our daily routines and tasks are assisted by computers or automation in some form or other. For example, the once tedious task of mowing the lawn can now be performed automatically using the Husqvarna Automower robotic lawn mowers. However, even robotic […]

By June 5, 2015 Read More →
Unlocking the potential of robotic automation

Unlocking the potential of robotic automation

Mike Wilson, general industry sales and marketing manager at ABB Robotics UK and Ireland, comments on how starting small could be the key to unlocking the potential of robotic automation in the UK. As someone with over 30 years of experience in robotics, it’s a source of great personal frustration for me to see the […]

By June 5, 2015 Read More →