Automation Systems

Demand for operational efficiencies such as greater visualization into a factory’s automation solutions portfolio has prompted Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. to introduce its latest human machine interface (HMI). The GT25 Wide HMI is an interface that monitors and controls machine components with a graphical touchscreen that connects to equipment such as PLCs, VFDs and servos.

The design team at Automation Alternatives knew that in order for a system to be truly cost-effective, it had to combine highly efficient technology with user-friendly operation. According to the company, the RubyLaser FLC does just that and more.

Precise Automation has introduced the PP100 industrial collaborative Cartesian robot. The PP100’s unique mechanical design offers a lower price than most collaborative robots and reduces the overall costs of tabletop applications, according to the company.

Small job shops struggling with the budget, programming and space requirements of traditional welding robots now have an alternative solution: The new SnapWeld Collaborative Robot Welding package developed by ARC Specialties Inc. and Universal Robots is a cobot-assisted, interactive welding system that can be deployed easily and flexibly in existing, manual welding booths, eliminating the need for costly new robotic cells.

Aerotech’s HEX RC is a 6-axis motion controller ideal for controlling robotic systems like hexapods. The HEX RC is 4U rack-mountable and compatible with the Automation 3200 (A3200) motion platform.

What if collaborative robots didn’t just stop at collision but avoided collisions altogether? And while doing that kept performing the task they set out to do? That’s the premise for Universal Robots’ new trade show demo where a UR5 robot arm will pick "widgets" out of a feeder that moves around and is dynamically tracked by the vision-guided cobot. Using a wand, attendees interact with the collaborative robot prompting it to avoid the wand while attempting to reach the widget.

ANCA Inc. custom-designed and built a new industrial robot loader for exhibition and demonstration purposes and is currently not available for sale.