Automating Aerospace Manufacturing with FANUC April 29, 2020 Aerospace is thought of as the industry with some of the most advanced technology, including automation. However, especially in automation, that may not be exactly true. In this podcast, Bruce Morey senior technical editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Rick Schulz of FANUC America about some of the challenges and misperceptions in using automation more fully in aerospace manufacturing. Mistakes to be avoided, such as simply replacing humans with a robot, and how to use collaborative robots. The main message is that employing automation to its fullest requires a systematic approach to the entire manufacturing process.
New Universal Robots Interface for Injection Molding Applications April 23, 2020 The Injection Molding Machine Interface (IMMI) is made for plastics manufacturers to integrate Universal Robots with injection molding machines.
No Plan B – COVID-19 Exposes Technical Education’s Shortcomings April 22, 2020 With widespread stay-at-home orders, and to contain the spread of COVID-19, many manufacturers, unless deemed essential, have closed shop and sent workers home. The resulting loss in productivity has forced companies and teachers to utilize the time to provide or continue with remote e-learning.
How Bright is the Future of Automation? April 17, 2020 In the 1955 short story “Autofac,” Philip K. Dick envisioned a world dominated by self-replicating robots that work incessantly, eventually depleting the planet’s resources.
Universal Robots Launches ActiNav Bin Picking Kit for Machine Tending April 9, 2020 Universal Robots (UR) has launched ActiNav, a new UR+ application kit for companies of all sizes that simplifies the integration of autonomous bin picking of parts and accurate placement in machines using UR cobots
ABB Announces New Programing Wizard For Its Cobots April 8, 2020 Using Blockly to make robots easier to install and operate without specialized training.
Marposs Announces Axicheck Software March 31, 2020 A package for control and optimization of rotary axes performance.
Hitachi Powdered Metals Embraces Robotic Automation, Boosts Volume 400 percent in Tight Labor Market March 30, 2020 Hitachi Powdered Metals (USA) Inc. began a gradual investment in industrial robots at their Greensburg, Ind. plant in 2005, driven by the emergence of a tightening labor market and the opportunity to produce an extremely fragile product.
Automated Metrology in Manufacturing March 26, 2020 Modern manufacturing is a data-driven endeavor. The sheer volume of data available to be collected and analyzed is staggering—and something that couldn’t have been envisioned even 20 years ago.
Tips for Choosing a CNC March 26, 2020 Like most of the digital architecture of manufacturing, computer numerical controllers (CNCs) have advanced rapidly in recent years, producing far more processing speed and implementing advanced algorithms, while at the same time offering simpler, more intuitive user interfaces.