Control

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 →
B&R adds function blocks for robot kinematics

B&R adds function blocks for robot kinematics

B&R is expanding its already extensive mapp technology portfolio to include function blocks for all the most commonly used robot kinematic systems. Not only does this allow users to commission robots much more quickly, it also makes maintenance and diagnostics substantially easier. The new robotic functions in mapp include both serial and parallel robot kinematics, […]

By May 26, 2015 Read More →
Enabling robots and humans to work in harmony

Enabling robots and humans to work in harmony

Mitsubishi Electric has developed a new optional Safety Solution MELFA SafePlus for its MELFA F Series industrial robots. The new technology limits the speed, range of movement or torque of the robot when safety sensors are activated, allowing operators to work in close proximity to a moving robot. In today’s flexible production environments, robots and […]

By April 28, 2015 Read More →
Putting safety first when working with robots

Putting safety first when working with robots

Ensuring worker safety should be the prime consideration in all robot applications, especially when humans and robots may need to share the same workspace. “Robot safety is an issue that transcends the requirements of specific industry sectors or applications,” says Darren Whittall, technical manager at FANUC UK. “In addition to regulatory requirements, there is also […]

By March 20, 2015 Read More →
Robotic hand suits complex manipulation tasks

Robotic hand suits complex manipulation tasks

The Robioss robotics research team based at Poitiers University has developed a new generation of dexterous robotic hand. With 16 joints and 16 actuators, the robotic hand can reproduce complex human movements such as grasping and fine manipulation. Mounted on a Stäubli robot arm and controlled by the B&R Automation PC 910, this robotic hand is […]

By March 19, 2015 Read More →
Robot safety functions mean homing once is enough

Robot safety functions mean homing once is enough

With SafeMOTION Release 1.9, B&R has updated the robot safety functions for the ACOPOSmulti servo drive family. In addition to two new functions – Remanent Safe Position (RSP) and Safely Limited Acceleration (SLA) – this update also introduces machine options for SafeMOTION parameters and improves both system availability and user-friendliness in applications where robot safety […]

By February 25, 2015 Read More →
SafeROBOTICS opens up food and beverage applications

SafeROBOTICS opens up food and beverage applications

With their SafeROBOTICS functions, B&R says its controllers open the way for new solutions for cooperation between humans and robots. These solutions built on SafeROBOTICS will be the focal point of B&R’s stand at the Anuga FoodTec trade fair in Cologne, Germany, 24-27 March. Pictured right: B&R will present SafeROBOTICS solutions at Anuga FoodTec 2015. […]

By February 14, 2015 Read More →
Automatic tool change is now faster on robots

Automatic tool change is now faster on robots

Belden says the Quick Connect feature on its Lumberg Automation I/O Network-Ruggedized (LioN-R) EtherNet/IP modules ensures that the LioN-R series can quickly and efficiently power up and join an EtherNet/IP network after an automatic tool change on a robot has been performed. This reduces the time it takes for the automatic tool change systems found on […]

By October 1, 2014 Read More →
FANUC and Rockwell announce global collaboration

FANUC and Rockwell announce global collaboration

FANUC and Rockwell Automation have announced an advanced global collaboration to provide customers a more seamless and integrated manufacturing solution. The two companies have expanded their initial collaboration, started four years ago, in the CNC and Logix programmable automation controller (Logix PAC) environments with further integration of robotics, ROBOMACHINEs and enterprise software products. The effort […]

By September 16, 2014 Read More →
Robot palletising and depalletising for packaging lines

Robot palletising and depalletising for packaging lines

Specially designed to solve even the most complex palletising and depalletising challenges reliably and efficiently, the robotpac from Beumer Group is a space-saving, fully articulated palletising robot. It is able to stack bundles such as bags, cardboard boxes, canisters and trays safely and economically. Beumer Group is single-source provider for filling, palletising and packaging technologies. Over […]

By August 12, 2014 Read More →