Numerous statistics suggest that the majority of companies in a variety of sectors intend to increase their use of automation and robots. Seventy per cent of US companies are planning changes to their operations, with 37% planning to bring production back in-house and 33% looking to offshore and move their operations closer to home. ABB’s
The production of high-quality structural elements can undergo a revolution thanks to “robotic blacksmithing“. Metamorphic production combines the precision and control of machines and robotic systems with the gradual deformation of a blacksmith. A group of undergraduate students at Ohio State University demonstrated the fundamental idea of robotic blacksmithing, formally known as metamorphic manufacturing, in
Since 1817, the Parthenon marbles, which date from 447-432 BC, have been in the British Museum. While serving as an envoy to the Ottoman Empire, Lord Elgin bought the marbles, which some say were looted. Greek advocacy groups have urged Britain to return the artworks, claiming that the Turks were violating the wishes of the
An industrial pick-and-place robot is used to handle and place products on a production line. They are typically used in high-volume manufacturing environments where they can quickly and accurately load products onto conveyor belts or other production tools. This may involve actions such as removing products from one machine and placing them on the conveyor
One of the UK’s leading bespoke furniture manufacturers is upgrading its end-to-end manufacturing capabilities with the help of a KUKA robot. The Jali factory in Kent has installed the 7-axis, 100kg payload KR100 model in an automated production cell. It has a flexible end effector that can hold the wide variety of tools required for
The Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria is working on a project investigating the development of 3D printed concrete parts for construction. The project on additive manufacturing of concrete elements using robots (COEBRO) is investigating resource efficiency in the use of concrete with 3D printing. A multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers and materials
Optimax Systems and PickNik Robotics have made available a ROS 2 controller for ABB manipulators. An ABB IRB 1200-5/0.9 manipulator has been used to test the package. For simulation in ROS, you can fake the ros2 controllers in the first mode. The controller can also be interfaced with ABB’s unique RobotStudio software. The new ABB
ABB has added to its Delta FlexPicker line of robots with the new IRB 365, a 5-axis robot with a payload capacity of up to 1.5 kg. Miniature packages and other packaged products such as biscuits, chocolates or small bottles, among others, can be handled with ease thanks to its speed of up to 120
Yaskawa has introduced the new Motoman HC30PL collaborative robot, which can lift up to 30 kg and has a reach of 1,700 mm (from the centre of rotation of the S/L axis to the centre of rotation of the R/T axis). Because it can be used immediately within its area of operation without the need
The sealants are applied at Ford via a KUKA LBR iiwa cobot. Without the requirement for safety fences, it works alongside human workers and provides relief during the work process. Workers at Ford’s Cologne plant benefit from the adaptability, sensitivity and learning ability of the lightweight KUKA LBR iiwa robot. According to Michael Koch, production
