Technology

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 →
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 →
Schunk opens new facility in China

Schunk opens new facility in China

At a formal ceremony, clamping and gripping systems specialist Schunk opened a new China Headquarters in Shanghai. Schunk wants to push ahead with its investment program and expand its local presence in China, something that was emphasised by the company’s managing partner Henrik Schunk at the opening ceremony. Since 2003, Schunk has been represented in […]

By June 3, 2015 Read More →
On the cusp of a revolution in collaborative robotics

On the cusp of a revolution in collaborative robotics

Anyone looking at the robotics offerings at this year’s Hannover Fair can’t fail to have noticed all the activity surrounding collaborative robots – not least because two significant acquisitions happened at just about the same time. First ABB bought Gomtec, and then Universal Robots announced that it had agreed an acquisition by Teradyne. If we […]

By June 1, 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 →
Magnetic gripper designed for the bakery industry

Magnetic gripper designed for the bakery industry

Goudsmit Magnetics of Waalre has developed a new magnetic gripper, specially intended for high temperature applications, such as those in the bakery industry. Utilising magnetism and compressed air, these grippers can be used for positioning and placing baking tins on the infeed conveyors as well as for destacking lids from a magazine. The low weight, […]

By May 8, 2015 Read More →
Schunk gripper replicates the human hand

Schunk gripper replicates the human hand

Schunk’s SVH servo-electric 5-finger gripping hand will be making its UK exhibition debut at Advanced Manufacturing (NEC, Birmingham, 2-4 June 2015), designed to meet the evolving needs of the UK manufacturing sector. It will be shown complete with Schunk’s LWA lightweight arm, controlled via a tablet over Wi-Fi. Replicating the movements and characteristics of the […]

By May 3, 2015 Read More →
ABB positions Roberta alongside YuMi with Gomtec acquisition

ABB positions Roberta alongside YuMi with Gomtec acquisition

ABB has aquired German collaborative robot specialist Gomtec to expand its own offering in the field of collaborative robots. Gomtec’s Roberta robot (pictured right) complements ABB’s YuMi robot by expanding capabilities into higher payload applications, with YuMi focused primarily on areas such as handling smaller parts. Gomtec’s technology platform will strengthen ABB’s development of a […]

By May 1, 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 →