Automation

Automation helping small-to-medium suppliers compete

02/16/2018

Author:

For decades, robots were synonymous with large-scale factories around the world. As small-to-medium suppliers are forced to become nimbler, automation is evolving to help them.

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Stingray Low-Profile Modular Belt Conveyor

ABCO Automation Inc. announces the availability of Stingray, a robust, low-profile modular belt conveyor that employs micropitch plastic belts. Just as its name suggests, Stingray is powerful, yet gentle. This heavy-duty stainless-steel conveyor provides reliable product transfer, smooth transitions and product accumulation, making it suitable for delicate, small footprint or unstable products that may be damaged by a conventional conveyor.

Dual-Arm NEXTAGE Robot

Using industrial robots is an important element in creating more autonomy and efficiency. Rollomatic has been involved in developing advanced human-like robots for some years now.

SC2818 Stepper Motor

With the SC2818, Nanotec presents a stepper motor with a flange size of 28 mm and a torque of up to 0.22 Nm. The SC2818 thereby boasts in excess of 30 percent more torque than conventional motors of the same size. The step angle of the 2-phase hybrid stepper motor is 1.8°.

Deburring lab seeks to smooth rough edges faster

02/07/2018

Author:

Alan Richter

Matrix Design LLC created the Matrix Deburring Applications Laboratory to more effectively design automated deburring systems while streamlining the testing process. For example, having touch detection at the lab enables the speeds and feeds of a deburring brush to be automatically adjusted for optimal performance.

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Controls and networking: a reader responds

My October 20 post on adding capabilities to your current CNC brought a response from a reader who who shares a problem. “We have a few Kitamura MyCenter 4XiF VMCs with FANUC 16iMB controls running daily on our shop floor,” he writes, “The control hasn’t given us a single problem since they powered on for the first time. However, we haven’t been able to get the machines onto our network and we have given up trying.”

Automated deburring lab at Matrix Design

For our February issue’s Industry Briefs department, I’m writing an article about the Deburring Application Laboratory at Matrix Design LLC. The company designs, builds and installs robotic automation systems for deburring parts, as well as machine tending and material handling.

Are you ready to 'Integr8' IIoT technology?

Earlier this week we shared the conclusions of the McKinsey Report, which concluded that it may be possible for U.S. manufacturing to grow by 20 percent and add more than 2 million jobs by 2025. That was the good news. It can only happen, however, if manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 technology. The Integr8 conference in Detroit showed how to get started.

From Single-Task Machines to Backflipping Robots: The Evolution of Robots

01/15/2018

Author:

Dennis Spaeth

The history of robots combines the best of science fiction and real life technology. From Isaac Asimov to modern industrial robots, keep reading to explore the fascinating history of robotics.

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Maintenance-free cobots operate continuously in harsh environment

Aircraft Tooling, a Dallas-based repair center for the aviation industry, was surprised to find that Universal Robots could withstand the high temperatures and harsh environment while performing metal powder and plasma spray processes. The UR “cobots” have been in operation for 3 years without breakdown or service requirements.