Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 14.47
…paper outlining the new approach. In particular, SLA additive manufacturing, which uses photopolymerizable resin and a light source to cure the cross-sectional layers of geometry making up the part, can be especially slow since performance is limited by the need to initiate time-consuming separation or recoating steps between the layers of the output. Print speeds in most available SLA systems range from only a few millimeters to several centimeters an hour, and the process often yields parts with ridged surfaces, which are not suitable for production-grade products, the paper noted. Rapid, Continuous Additive Manufacturing The University of Michigan’s research team…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 19.61
…a $160 million funding round, led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), to advance the global commercialization of its metal 3D printing technology. Combined funding since its 2015 inception is now at $438 million. KDT is an investment firm focused on finding and funding innovative and emerging technologies. KDT is a subsidiary of Koch Industries, one of the largest privately-held companies in America with over $110 billion in annual revenues, according to Forbes, and an investor of more than $17 billion into technology companies in the last six years. “Desktop Metal’s 3D printing solutions can redefine prototyping and mass production of…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.59
…macroeconomic scenario, and continue to disrupt the future of manufacturing. Here are five trends Micropsi Industries believes will make a difference in 2019: 1) Adoption of artificial intelligence in factories and manufacturing will accelerate. The industry has invested in sensor and data technology over the past years, and now it is time to apply advanced analytics and AI to factories. Another development is the application of AI for self-driving cars and other autonomous devices. AI will be applied to drones, boats or other ground-moving vehicles in agriculture, mining, exploration, or places where autonomous vehicles can add value. 2) New companies…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.26
…testimonials we heard from customers who have used RightHand’s technology and rank it highly with respect to range, rate, and reliability. It was clear that their systems can provide users with a long-term competitive advantage.” “RightHand Robotics developed a comprehensive, integrated solution that resonates with a wide variety of e-commerce companies,” said Andy Wheeler, General Partner at GV. “The founding team of roboticists at RightHand have the right expertise, full-stack product, and overall vision to make an impact on this growing market.” The company also announced that Mick Mountz, founder and former CEO of Kiva Systems (now Amazon Robotics), recognized…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 6.39
…and automated driving systems that are based on sensor technologies such as radar, laser/lidar, camera, ultrasonic, DSRC [dedicated short-range communications] and GPS.” Software such as Simcenter Prescan allows automakers to train their artificial intelligence programs to make the right decision not only in routine events but also in uncommon but imminent events. For example, how would the autonomous pilot react to an elephant crossing the road, or a group of trick-or-treaters dressed up as pumpkins? VTD from MSC Software (part of Hexagon) is a virtual test driving software autonomous vehicle developers can use to train AI decision making. Image courtesy…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.83
…parts, developers and quality assurance groups have more recently applied the deeper capabilities of microCT to parts produced by additive manufacturing (AM). One of the many benefits of metal AM is the ability to produce internal structures. Parts must not only meet dimensional specs but also display consistent and acceptable quality characteristics, such as high density and the absence of internal defects. MicroCT is a powerful tool for these and other AM applications, too, as described in a recent paper by Anton du Plessis et al, “X-Ray Microcomputed Tomography in Additive Manufacturing: A Review of the Current Technology and Applications”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 15.04
…of order picking in the distribution center. Like other technologies that came before – RF, pick to light, voice picking – the value of this new technology will depend on how well it is applied to hands-on tasks in the DC. In the end, smart engineers and processes will determine the extent to which smart glasses and AR can transform picking and other warehouse activities. When Google released the first version of Google Glass in 2013, Lucas developers loaded our voice picking application and created a “vision picking” demo. Our conclusion was that the technology was not ready for prime…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 11.71
…and accuracy of routine operations, particularly in warehousing and manufacturing spaces; work side-by-side with humans for added efficiency; and reduce the risk of employee injury in dangerous environments,” Deloitte points out in its new Using autonomous robots to drive supply chain innovation report. Some of the other qualities that differentiate autonomous robots from their predecessors include: Are programmed to perform tasks with little to no human intervention or interaction. Vary significantly in size, functionality, mobility, dexterity, intelligence, and cost. Range in scope from robotic process automation to flying vehicles with artificial intelligence. Recognize and learn from their surroundings and make…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 9.42
John Hill knows a thing or two about technology innovation. In a career that spans 50 years, Hill was at the forefront of the development of industrial applications for bar code scanning and radio frequency identification and the first warehouse management software systems. There’s a reason he remembers that the first implementation of bar code scanning outside of point of sale in grocery and retail was in October 1971 at Buick’s Plant 10. “I carried the 50-pound scanner into Buick to give them the demonstration,” Hill recalls. Hill has not rested on his laurels. Still a director at St. Onge,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 11.08
…European “Road Freight Survey,” responding shippers also reveal which technologies have the greatest potential to transform their business. It may come as a surprise to some that autonomous vehicles were not the runaway winner—they ranked third—perhaps because many respondents took the “believe it when they see it” view, assessing fully driverless trucks as something of a pipe dream. The motor carrier survey also suggests that this market will witness significant fluctuations in trucking freight rates in the EU in the coming year with changes in the truckload and LTL sectors. Overall, the survey identifies where growth opportunities might lie in…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 14.77
…Automate 2017, North America’s biennial event devoted to leading-edge technology and business innovation to be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place April 3-6. This year’s show is more than 40% larger than the last show in 2015 and features more than 400 exhibitors showing their latest technologies for the entire spectrum of the automation industry. More than 20,000 attendees are expected to attend Automate 2017 from across the United States and more than 70 countries. Registration is free for attendees walking the show floor. The Automate 2017 show and conference centers on the technology, innovation and automation solutions that are transforming…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 6.14
…processes, equipment and overall strategies of distribution centers and manufacturing plants are continuously responding to the ever-changing global marketplace, one part of the materials handling process has remained practically unchanged: dock equipment. However, a shift is occurring as DC and plant owners are beginning to focus on how to improve the effectiveness of their dock areas. To help employees as they transport products from docks to trailers, some companies are incorporating loading and unloading robotics. Others are focusing on their manual dock products by replacing yellow steel guard railings with new types of barriers and installing new dock seals. Additionally,…