Universal Robots shows deep learning-based part detection for machine tending cobots at IMTS 2024

When Universal Robots (UR) recently surveyed 1,200 manufacturers across North America and Europe about their use of technology and future investment plans, over 50% of the respondents indicated they are now using AI and machine learning in their production processes.

At IMTS 2024, UR showed a machine-tending application with new AI-based perception capabilities running on NVIDIA Jetson and Isaac acceleration libraries integrated into UR’s new PolyScope X platform.

This combination enables dynamic path planning, ensuring the robot takes the most effective, collision-free paths in and out of the machine without requiring extensive user configuration. UR plans to make this technology available for a wide range of applications, including machine tending and other material handling tasks.

“AI isn’t just hype,” said Ujjwal Kumar, group president of Teradyne Robotics, parent company of Universal Robots. “We’re seeing significant interest in physical AI. By adding high-performance compute hardware to our control systems and investing in targeted software upgrades, we’re establishing UR as the preferred robotics platform for developing and deploying AI applications.”

It's all about uptime

An important production parameter is cobot uptime. To ensure seamless operations and increased efficiency, UR has launched the UR Care Service Plans that now offer preventive field service, onsite break-fix, dedicated remote support and secure cloud connectivity-based cobot service/performance monitoring through UR Connect, which was also showcased for the first time at IMTS 2024.

“We’re looking forward to showing IMTS attendees robust deep learning solutions that will significantly impact manufacturing, especially for high mix/low volume production, which is increasingly common in machine tending,” Kumar said. “AI will also be a focal point during UR’s popular Cobot Walks - guided tours throughout IMTS that explore the latest cobot innovations in machine tending, metal fabricating, support tools, UR+ peripherals, and education.”

Unlike other service and repair offerings that often involve numerous platforms, channels and logins, UR now provides all service, support and training through its fleet management portal, myUR.

“We want to be our customers’ steadfast ally, helping them optimize performance, maintain peak hardware condition and uptime, and extend the lifespan of their cobots,” said Anurag Thakur, VP of service & aftermarket at Universal Robots.

Ecosystem displays new cobot applications at IMTS 2024

With more than 60 collaborative robot arms from UR on the show floor at IMTS 2024, the company says it is a testament to the rapidly expanding UR ecosystem with OEM, UR+ and Certified System Integrator partners exhibiting a wide range of UR cobot-powered applications.

The UR+ ecosystem recently announced it surpassed 500 UR+ products. Some of these will be featured at IMTS, including

• Groundlight AI, a visual inspection and anomaly detection using AI
• Zimmer's tool changing interface also compatible for Schmalz grippers
• SICK’s End-of-Arm Safeguard
• Impaqt Robotics’ pneumagiQ, a universal pneumatic gripper interface
• Olis Robotics’ remote diagnostic and monitoring offering

Other robots on display at the Universal Robots booth included:

• Brinkman Automation’s “The Finisher” - an automated modular deburring, polishing and cleaning cell powered by a UR5e cobot. The cell delivers high-precision finishing in a modular design with quick and easy changeover for multiple parts. An integrated cleaning system eliminates the need for a subsequent cleaning operation.
• Hurco’s VM15Di 3-axis CNC machine featuring tending by a UR20 cobot, UR’s longest reach cobot. The cobot machine tending system is integrated to the Hurco CNC with a collaborative auto door, grippers and pneumatic vises. Attendees saw how easy it is to set up any job using Hurco's Automation Job Manager software in under 5 minutes.
• Laser Marking Technologies’ Cobalt Dominator, tended by a UR3e cobot with OnRobot’s VGC10 gripper, laser marking custom UR branded luggage tags with individual attendees’ names. Repeatable, efficient unmanned operation with incredibly simple setup and use.
• Lights Out Manufacturing’s Aries 10-part feeder application featuring a UR30 cobot that allows for fast part changeovers, making it the ideal choice for any shop that requires a wide range of parts.
• Vectis Automation’s Park’N’Arc range extender for welding applications featuring the UR20 cobot. Vectis also showed some of their latest user-experience and ease-of-use cobot welding features including QuickTeach and AI Path Optimization.
• Hirebotics’ Cobot Welder integrated with Miller’s Auto DeltaWeld, an advanced welder for cobot welding applications. Hirebotics also showed its programming platform Beacon, which now features “Fine Tune,” allowing customers to easily adjust the robot’s torch angles, and “Enhanced Stitch Weld,” a new capability enabling the re-sequencing of stitch patterns.