High-precision linear stages used for applications such as surface measurement in life sciences, semiconductor manufacturing and other industries often require two distinctly different modes of motion. A rapid mode usually is needed to change locations quickly in the workspace, which might then be followed by very slow motion for finer focusing and resolution. The traditional…
Silicone Cabling Ensures Long Operating Life For Surgical Robots
Robots used in surgical applications must function reliably, including all of their components. Cabling can be a point of weakness. Special flexible and durable flat silicone cables can be an alternative to round PVC or flat PTFE cables. These silicone cables are more flexible, allowing for a tighter bend radius and reduced weight and space…
Robotics to Drive Global Job Creation Through 2016
One million industrial robots currently in operation have been directly responsible for the creation of close to three million jobs, according to a study conducted by market research firm Metra Martech for the International Federation of Robotics. Additionally, a growth in robot use over the next five years will result in the creation of one…
Smart Camera to Guide Pick-and-Place Robots from Omron
Omron Industrial Automation (www.Omron247.com) has introduced a vision sensor developed specifically to meet the needs of pick-and-place applications. Highly compact, and with a processing speed of 5000 pieces per minute even with full 360 degree rotation, the new FQ-M vision sensor comes with Ethernet and EtherCAT embedded for ease of integration into any environment, and…
CGI Sponsors Youth Robotics Competition
CGI, Inc announces their pledge towards becoming the main event sponsor for the Northern Nevada FTC® Championship Tournament February 24-25 at Carson City High School, Carson City, NV. Founded by Dean Kamen in 1992, FIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that…
Bishop-Wisecarver Teams up with FIRST® as a Diamond Supplier of the FRC® Robotics Competition
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation has teamed up with FIRST® as a Diamond Supplier of the FRC® Robotics Competition and is supporting three high school robotics teams in the San Francisco Bay Area for both FRC and FTC challenges. FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – is a nonprofit founded by inventor Dean Kamen…
Accuride Expands Self-Closing Slide Options
Accuride announces the addition of model 3832SC, another self-closing slide option designed with a lighter pull-force for use in less demanding applications such as medical or supply carts and industrial workstations. The self-closing action is achieved through a spring-loaded device that activates about 1-1/2 inches from the closed position. This integrated device is designed to…
Cornell’s Robotic Ranger Takes a 40-mile Stroll
College students are known for pulling all-nighters, but the Cornell robot Ranger one-upped them and set a new world record by walking 40.5 miles on a single battery charge without stopping or human hand-holding. Ranger, a bipedal robot built and programmed in Cornell’s Biorobotics and Locomotion lab, and handled by Andy Ruina, professor of mechanical…
Rotary Ball Spline Ensures Precise Robotic Movement
The NB rotary ball spline has a nut that rolls on the ball spline shaft making it capable of both linear and rotary motion and provides sub-millimeter accuracy every time. There is a lot of torque acting on a robotic arm. A ball spline’s forte is the transfer of torque. In addition, it can even…
Toshiba Machine Introduces THL Scara Robot Line
Toshiba Machine’s latest line of low-cost and lightweight SCARA Robots, the THL Series, is ideal for price-conscious end-users, and system integrators looking to incorporate automation. The THL Series consists of three SCARA robot models, each uniquely offered at the same price point. To achieve cost savings, the THL Series is configured with a lightweight die…
Roller Pinion Gear Steps Up Rotopod Robot Motion
By Joe Gorse, Electronics Engineering Editor “We were looking for heavy duty gearing with less backlash than the spur gear drive we were using previously,” said Michael Fortier, President of Mikrolar, as they sought to improve their rotopod robots. The former gearing set used a spur gear and a motor, which was subject to backlash…
Moog Motion Bases Make FAAC Military Driving Simulators Feel Real for Operators
When it comes to training soldiers and Marines to operate ground vehicles, Moog’s technology ensures a driver simulator feels every bit as true and tactile as the real thing. Moog is supplying and supporting the high-performance electric motion systems that underpin FAAC Incorporated’s latest-generation driver simulators. These simulators include the MATV and MRAP Cougar vehicles.…
The Marriage of Electrics and Pneumatics
By Steve Meyer, Contributing Editor Reprint Info >> Pneumatic actuators and electric actuators are increasingly being used in the same system to achieve results that one technology, by itself, would have difficulty solving. Most often we tend to think of air cylinders as direct competition for electrically powered actuators. But that’s not the whole story.…
Slick Portal to Multiple Applications
Autodesk recently announced LaunchPad, a product that provides quick and easy access to workflow based tools and all of the applications that are part of Autodesk’s Product Design Suite software. You can access all the Autodesk Product Design Suite applications via LaunchPad. Some of the automated workflows available in Autodesk’s technology preview include reusing 2D…
LS3 Compact SCARA Robots from EPSON
EPSON Robots further expanded it’s SCARA lineup with the introduction of new EPSON LS3 compact SCARAs. EPSON LS3 robots are the low cost and high performance leader for compact SCARA robots. “Our goal is to continue our Power of Choice initiative by providing customers with the right robot for the job. With the introduction of…
Robotic Designs Look to Nature for Inspiration
Reprint Info >> If there are no new ideas, why not look to the oldest idea generator around — evolution. The concept of using nature as inspiration for mechanical design has been around for a long time. What young engineer hasn’t heard the story of George de Mestral, the Swiss electrical engineer who invented Velcro?…
Flexible Manufacturing Approach Key to Battery Production
By Rick Blake, President, Edgewater Automation Reprint Info >> Modular conveyor technologies give manufacturers an edge on keeping up with constantly changing designs in battery assembly applications. Moving away from the traditionally rigid specialty equipment in manufacturing to flexible machines and controls shows benefits in cost and time to market. Some say that the only…
Best Practices for Mobile Hydraulic Design
With ever-rising fuel prices, designing efficient hydraulic systems can pay big dividends for users of mobile hydraulic vehicles. Join Design World as we take an in-depth look at three critical areas of mobile hydraulic system design: filtration, sensors and sealing. Our expert panel presents critical design tips and answering your questions. Attendees will learn: *…
Aggressive Hiring Initiative for Robotics Industry
Applied Manufacturing Technologies has announced a new aggressive “Robotic Renaissance” hiring initiative, to support continuing robotics industry growth. The program’s focus will be on placing automation engineering talent into robotic careers. AMT believes that with the recently announced $500 million Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, which features $70 million for a National Robotics Initiative, that the use…
Speed and Flexibility for Assembly
FANUC Robotics America’s M-3iA is an intelligent, parallel-link robot designed to maximize speed and flexibility for assembly; it is a larger version of the company’s M-1iA delta-style robot. Available in a four- or six-axis model, the M-3iA offers the same parallel-link structure, and accommodates payloads to 6kg. In addition, it has the largest work envelope…
High Performance Modeling Helps Robot Take a Step
A project using MapleSIM modeling software at the University of Manchester is helping to perfect the process of humanoid walking in robots. MapleSIM is a physical modeling and simulation tool built on a foundation of symbolic computation technology. It handles all of the complex mathematics involved in the development of engineering models, including multi-domain systems,…
NI Recognizes Graphical System Design Achievement Award Winners
The 2011 Graphical System Design Achievement Awards received 130 submissions from authors in 20 countries. A judging committee of NI technical experts reviewed the papers and selected the contest finalists and winners. Here’s a look at a few of them. 2011 Customer Application of the Year: Implementing FPGA-Based Feedback Control of a Single Atom With…
NI Week 2013 Recap, Part 2
This year’s National Instruments’ NI Week in Austin, Texas was the biggest yet, with more than 3,000 attendees descending on the Live Music Capital of the World, turning it into the international capital for graphical system design. Following are some thoughts from four of our editors who attended the event. Paul J. Heney Editorial Director…
Molded Cordsets and Extension Cables for Harsh Motion Applications
Phoenix Contact’s high-flex M12 cordsets can flex up to 15 million bend-cycles. The sensor/actuator cables (SACs) meet the rigorous demands of robotics, motion and C-track installations, where cables need torosional and bending strength beyond standard The flexible cordsets’ gray PUR jacket is welding slag-resistant, so that it can flex, bend and twist during the manufacturing…
ABB Robotics Introduces Motor and Gear Unit Packages
ABB Robotics is introducing standardized packages of its well-proven motor and gear units to allow integrators to easily and economically create custom external axis systems. Already an integral component of ABB’s range of positioners and robots, the motor and gear units are now available in comprehensive packages complete with cablings, serial measurement board (SMB) box,…