China to overtake EU and US for robot adoption by 2017
By January 28, 2015 Read More →

China to overtake EU and US for robot adoption by 2017

By 2017, more industrial robots will be operating in China’s production plants than in the European Union or North America. Operating unit numbers there will double from today’s 200,000 to more than 400,000. To compare: In North America, numbers will rise to about 300,000 – with 340,000 predicted for Europe’s five largest economies. So says […]

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Web tool creates individual 3D gripper jaws quickly
By January 28, 2015 Read More →

Web tool creates individual 3D gripper jaws quickly

Schunk says eGrip is the world’s first fully automatic 3D design tool for additively manufactured gripper fingers. Schunk eGrip needs only minimal data for the fully automatic calculation of the optimal 3D contour, pricing, and delivery time. The license-free, browser-based web tool from the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems, Schunk reduces the design and ordering […]

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RNA showcases vision system and collaborative robot
By January 28, 2015 Read More →

RNA showcases vision system and collaborative robot

On Stand N61 at Southern Manufacturing, RNA Automation will demonstrate its standard glass disc vision inspection system that have been developed specifically for 100% quality control, as well as the latest in collaborative robotics. The glass disc vision demo system is equipped with a vibrating bowl feeder, rotating glass disc and two inspection stations, to […]

Automation payback – 10 tips for achieving a 12 month ROI
By January 22, 2015 Read More →

Automation payback – 10 tips for achieving a 12 month ROI

Providers of automation equipment regularly talk around how their machines deliver optimum performance, boost workplace efficiency and increase output. All good stuff. However, for most, if not all customers, the return on investment (ROI) figures can be a real deal breaker. Richard Gladwin, Technical Director at award-winning system integrator Pacepacker Services offers 10 powerful tips […]

Pilz addresses safety for collaborative robots
By January 21, 2015 Read More →

Pilz addresses safety for collaborative robots

As the efficiency of robot applications generally increases, the closer human and machine are able to work together. Static safeguards are increasingly reaching their limits. The trend is moving away from full enclosures for robot cells in favour of human-robot collaborations (HRC), which manage without guards where possible, but still guarantee operator safety. In practice, […]

Posted in: All News, Pilz, Safety
Schunk announces robotics ‘Expert Days’ event date
By January 9, 2015 Read More →

Schunk announces robotics ‘Expert Days’ event date

The key focus at Schnunk’s robotics ‘Expert Days’ event this year will be service robotics, with the event highlighting technical, economic and political imperatives at its headquarters in Lauffen from 25-26 February 2015. The market for service robotics is rapidly growing and according to the International Robotics Association (IFR), about 21,000 service robots were sold […]

Robot arm handles bags, boxes crates and trays
By January 8, 2015 Read More →

Robot arm handles bags, boxes crates and trays

Following a recent surge in enquiries from food packers for versatile palletisers, FANUC is working with automation specialists Festo and Pacepacker to develop systems which can handle bags, boxes, crates, trays and slip sheets by means of a single robot arm! “Food packers with space and budget constraints are looking for compact palletising systems capable […]

Mechatronic gripper offers power and intelligence
By December 22, 2014 Read More →

Mechatronic gripper offers power and intelligence

The Schunk EGL 70 mechatronic parallel gripper combines power and intelligence: with variable gripping force between 50 and 600N, the company says it is one of the most powerful and flexible mechatronic grippers on the market and was specifically developed for industrial applications. Since the finger position, closing speed, and gripping force are freely programmable […]

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Leuze announces RSL 400 safety laser scanner
By December 14, 2014 Read More →

Leuze announces RSL 400 safety laser scanner

As the robotics community comes to recognise the potential for productivity improvements offered by alternative guarding strategies, Leuze Electronic has announced a new series of safety laser scanners – the RSL 400 series – that have been designed to offer extended functionality, greater versatility, and simple configuration via Bluetooth and Ethernet. The RSL 400 series […]

A measuring robot outdoors
By December 10, 2014 Read More →

A measuring robot outdoors

A robot systematically goes about its business on the rooftop of the John Deere European Technology Innovation Centre – in summer and in winter, in rain, heat, cold or snow. A debilitating outdoor mission that only one robot manufacturer had the confidence to take on, namely Stäubli. Headquartered in the United States, John Deere is […]