Robotics • robotic grippers • end effectors

InOrbit, a cloud-based robot operations (RobOps) platform, announces the InOrbit Platform is fully compatible with robots that implement the recently announced MassRobotics AMR Interoperability Standard and is helping robotics companies become standard-compliant. The standard allows autonomous vehicles of different types to share information about their robot(s) speed, location, direction, health, tasking/availability and other performance characteristics.…

When it comes to automated loading and unloading of machine tools, as well as handling of ferromagnetic raw materials, gripping with magnetic grippers has proven to reduce cycle time and increase production. SCHUNK has addressed this industry need with the EMH, the world’s first electrically activated, 24 V permanent magnetic gripper with integrated electronics. Electro-permanent…

Production, warehouse, shipping — where goods are produced, stored, sorted or packed, picking also takes place. This means that several individual goods are removed from storage units such as boxes or cartons and reassembled. With the FLAIROP (Federated Learning for Robot Picking) project Festo and researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), together with…

ABB Robotics is driving automation in the construction industry with new robotic automation solutions to address key challenges, including the need for more affordable and environmentally friendly housing and to reduce the environmental impact of construction, amidst a labor and skills shortage. Robotic automation offers huge potential to enhance productivity, efficiency and manufacturing flexibility throughout…

ATI Industrial Automation has developed a new standard robotic tool changing and storage solution; the QC-7 Robotic Tool Changer. This lightweight yet durable tool changer offers a variety of configuration options with ATI’s Pass-Through Utility Modules and Tool Stand systems. An optional ML12 Electrical Module attaches easily to the QC-7 Tool Changer body, which also…

maxon Group and Fourier Intelligence today announced they are entering into a global strategic partnership. Fourier Intelligence, a Shanghai-based startup founded in 2015, will use maxon’s precision drive systems for the development of its rehabilitation robotics systems. Fourier already uses maxon’s BLDC motors in its ExoMotus X2 exoskeleton, a powered lower-limb exoskeleton. maxon will now…

Robotic automation continues to be a dominant growth area for manufacturing with applications ranging from simple deployments to complex environments that require high levels of speed and precision. To address these evolving market requirements, Epson Robots has announced at PACK EXPO Connects major updates to the Epson RC+ 7.0 development software. This latest update (version 7.5.0) expands…

Minneapolis-based Kurt Workholding has announced the launch of its new RV36 Robotic Gripper — a two-finger parallel gripper featuring a patent-pending design that allows automated finger/end effector changes without changing the gripper body itself. Quick change jaws allow customers to save on gripper-body expenses and create greater part-holding flexibility. Loaded with features, the compact Kurt…

Mosaic is a revolutionary, modular and configurable, Safety Controller that is capable of managing an array of safety functions ranging from a solitary machine to the operations of an entire plant. Mosaic can easily manage multiple safety devices including safety sensors and signals such as Light curtains, photocells, laser scanners, emergency stops, electromechanical switches, guard-lock…

Epson Robots has announced availability of the new and improved LS3-B SCARA and LS20-B SCARA robots. Notable, new and improved features include batteryless encoder, a lower cable duct profile that is ideal for hard to reach work cell layouts, built-in camera cable for easy vision system setup, and new top-of-arm layout for enhanced usability. The…

Omron Automation Americas recently launched the HD-1500 mobile robot, which can handle bulky objects weighing up to 1500kg. This addition to the company’s robotics portfolio comes after the LD-250 mobile robot launch and further expands manufacturers’ options for autonomous material transport. Manufacturers are facing a growing need to automate their material handling operations due to…

“The world of robotics, and the necessary periphery for daily robot applications are going to be redefined,” said Henrik A. Schunk, CEO of Schunk, the specialist in gripping systems and clamping technology. “We are experiencing a real boom in cobots and lightweight robots, and they will shape the image of industrial production in the years…

The Corona crisis highlights the important contribution that robots make to industry and to society. Research funding programs (R&D) are vital to enable and further support these developments: New technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and 5G, drive government funding in Asia, Europe and America. What are the targets of the officially driven government…

Companies around the world are increasing their use of industrial robots: Within five years, the global operational stock rose by about 65% to 2.4 million units (2013-2018). For the same period of time, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a positive impact on the job market: Employment in the automotive industry — the largest…

igus has developed control software for its Low Cost Automation solutions that allows users to easily program their robots. igus robot control is available online, free of charge, and offers the user an easy introduction to automation. igus, based in Germany, runs its North American operations out of Providence, R.I. With the new software, different robot…

ABB has simplified the use of its popular SCARA robots by giving users the ability to commission and control the robots from their PC through RobotStudio, ABB’s simulation and offline programming software. Robot Control Mate is an add-on to RobotStudio, enabling users to jog, teach and calibrate robots from their computer, making it easier than…

Omron Automation America recently launched a next-generation software package for its mobile robots. Shortened as “FLOW Core,” the Fleet Operations Workspace Core is designed to increase the robots’ performance and ease of use while laying the foundation for future service-focused capabilities. Among the primary advantages that FLOW Core provides are a user-focused design that simplifies…

In response to the suspended FIRST season caused by COVID-19, PTC is inviting FIRST teams around the world to compete virtually in its design competition, Robots to the Rescue, in which teams will be challenged to design a robot that can solve a current real-world problem. FIRST is a robotics community that prepares young people…

Featuring precise hand-guided teaching for fast implementation of a robot system, the new 20 kg payload HC20XP collaborative robot is well-suited for applications where robots need to safely work with, or in close proximity to humans. The industry’s first IP67-rated collaborative robot, the HC20XP is equipped for continuous use in damp or splash-prone environments. Made…

Fairlane Products, a manufacturer of workholding and positioning components, has launched the web-based GripShape application, which lets users design and purchase custom robot gripper fingers. GripShape offers design services, a design configurator, and manufacturing services for tooling robot grippers. The interface is easy-to-use and requires no CAD experience to customize a one-of-a-kind design — within…

CP Technologies has now launched a new business division — CP Aeronautics. The latter will supply integrated turnkey unmanned aerial systems (UAS) platforms as well as designs to handle various payloads, data links, ground control stations, and communications for defense and civil applications. CP Aeronautics’ broad product portfolio has demonstrated excellent performance and operability in…

Steven Wyatt (ABB, Switzerland) has been elected as the new President of the International Federation of Robotics by its Executive Board. Wyatt succeeds Junji Tsuda (Yaskawa Electric Corp.), who has served in the rotating post since December 2017. Milton Guerry (Schunk, USA) has been appointed as IFR´s new Vice President. The new IFR President, Steven…

The World Robotics report presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) shows a new record stock of about 300,000 operational industrial robots in the Republic of Korea in 2018 (+10%). Within five years, the country has doubled its number of industrial robots. Following Japan and China, the country ranked third in 2018. But the…

Collaboration robots (cobots) provide the strength, consistency, and reliability of industrial robots with the judgment and flexibility of human operators. Cobots are increasingly used in large-scale production applications that involve continuous lifting operations but still require a human touch. While cobots have been in use for at least a decade, applications have been limited by…

MakerBot, a global leader in 3D printing, revealed that All Axis Robotics is implementing the MakerBot METHOD manufacturing workstation into its automation processes to produce custom tooling parts for its legacy machines as well as customers. All Axis Robotics is a Dallas, Texas-based machine shop and a leader in turnkey custom robot solutions for other […]