Fri.Aug 30, 2024

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Rethink Robotics Re-emerges

Gary Mintchell

Remember the cute and ground-breaking collaborative robots that pioneered the space—Baxter and Sawyer? I wrote about Rethink Robotics in March and November of 2015. The company closed in 2018 0r 2019 and many employees wound up at Universal Robotics. The company’s assets wound up in Germany at the HAHN group. Time has passed. The market blossomed and then consolidated.

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1X unveils NEO Beta as it prepares to deploy humanoids into home pilots

Robotics Business Review

When will humanoid robots be ready for household chores? While many robotics experts take a long view on the topic, 1X Technologies AS today unveiled the NEO Beta prototype of its humanoid as it prepares for pilot deployments in select homes later this year. The company has been working on humanoids for more than a decade and has been an innovator since the introduction of the EVE robot, a predecessor to NEO, in 2017.

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Deep Learning-Based Part Detection for Machine Tending Cobots 

Gary Mintchell

Speaking of robotics and collaborative robotics—my last post mentioned Universal Robots. The company is alive and well as a part of a conglomerate since 2017. UR leaps on the AI bandwagon at IMTS announcing an AI-powered machine tending solution. This enables faster batch changeovers by eliminating the need for fixtures. 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 respondent

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RoboBusiness to discuss autonomy challenges in mobile robotics

Robotics Business Review

It’s predicted that by 2030, over 1 million mobile robots will be in the field. However, implementation is still complex and the cost of robot downtime is estimated to range from $1,000 to $10,000 per minute. With AI and SLAM systems struggling with real-world variability, what are the real challenges in understanding the total cost of ownership? For mobile robots to be feasible and improve operational efficiency, customers need performance in real-world environments at an acceptable cost.

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Agility Amid Tariffs & Supply Chain Disruptions

Speaker: Karan Talati: CEO and Co-Founder of First Resonance

The rules of manufacturing are shifting—are you ready? Tariffs, automation, and supply chain disruptions are forcing manufacturers to adapt fast or fall behind. Join Karan Talati, CEO of First Resonance and former SpaceX Manufacturing Engineer, in this on-demand webinar to learn how leading manufacturers are: Navigating tariffs with data-driven supply chain strategies Leveraging automation and AI to eliminate bottlenecks Building resilience with predictive supplier management Adapting flexible s

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Tracking the whole manufacturing shop at once

The Fabricator

Two ERP systems failed to deliver for Aldine Metal Products. But the job shop finally found software that manages its entire operation well.

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Build A Low-Cost 32-bit PLC | OpenPLC and the ESP32 Microcontroller

Control.com

Besides using a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino Uno, a low-cost PLC can be built using the popular ESP32 microcontroller. The OpenPLC software supports this popular 32-bit platform.

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Honda NCM adds ATV weld and paint operations

The Fabricator

Honda North Carolina Manufacturing (NCM) has opened weld and paint operations for ATVs at its Swepsonville, N.C., facility.

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UK’s first intercity battery-powered train begins passenger testing

E&T

The first battery-powered train to run on UK tracks has begun testing on routes from York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street.

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Caster Concepts adds advanced engineering area to Michigan facility

The Fabricator

Caster Concepts, a manufacturer of heavy-duty casters and industrial caster wheels, has expanded operations at its Albion, Mich., facility to include a 3,000-sq.-ft. advanced engineering area.

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OWGP launches new £2m support programme for UK manufacturing facilities

Manufacturing Management

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has launched its new Manufacturing Facility Support Programme (MFSP), targeted at unlocking investments in UK manufacturing facilities to support the growth of the offshore wind sector.

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Emergent Energy Optimizes Steam Systems with Panoramic Power’s Technology

Manufacturers face increasing pressure to curb energy waste and emissions. Emergent Energy specializes in optimizing industrial steam systems, leveraging Panoramic Power’s real-time energy intelligence to drive efficiency. By analyzing steam system performance, Emergent Energy pinpoints inefficiencies and implements targeted improvements. This article explores how data-driven steam optimization transforms wasted energy into measurable savings, ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations.

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Paul Mueller Co. plans $22 million expansion in Missouri

The Fabricator

Paul Mueller Co., a manufacturer of stainless steel tanks, components, and equipment, will expand in Springfield, Mo., investing $22 million and creating 133 jobs.

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Automation's Ultimate Test, Work Stoppage Derailed and Ford Calls a Delay: IndustryWeek's Weekly Reads

Industry Week

Also, optimizing people and does AI have a place in engineering?

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Safer, more productive steel handling while optimizing storage with Combilift

The Fabricator

Combilift has been helping businesses enhance safety, and productivity for steel-handling operations while increasing storage since 1998. Visit us at Fabtech (#S26059) for live demonstrations of Combi-AGT, world's first autonomous sideloaderandCombi-CB155E, shortest 15,000lbs counterbalance forklift in the market! More Information.

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Polyurethane Vehicle Battery Cover Slashes Weight

Plastics Today

Covestro and Chinese Tier 1 collaborate in development of cost-effective battery pack that reduces weight by more than half compared with conventional metal-based products.

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Accelerate Americas Manufacturing Agility & Supply Chain Resilience

Discover how to accelerate manufacturing agility and build supply chain resilience in our live webinar on February 6, 2025, at 3 PM PST. Explore insights from a former SpaceX leader on scaling hardware production, balancing speed with quality, and leveraging advanced tools like ION Factory OS. Learn from historical examples and modern approaches to innovation while uncovering how AI and real-time data can automate processes, strengthen supply chain operations, and ensure scalability.

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Managing configurations in CAD without using a design table

The Fabricator

CAD guru Gerald Davis discusses how to add, modify, and delete configurations in CAD without using a design table.

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Hyundai unveils plan to launch 21 fully electric vehicles by 2030

E&T

During its CEO Investor Day on Wednesday, Hyundai Motor Company revealed how it plans to launch 21 electric vehicle (EV) models by 2030, ranging from affordable to luxury and high-performance models.

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Electro-Permanent Magnetic Chucks

The Fabricator

See our FXL Electro-Permanent Magnetic Workholding Chucks in action! More Information.

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Autonomous robots deployed deep below polar ice to measure speed of ice sheets melting

E&T

The Antarctic ice sheets are melting – but at what rate? IceNode, developed by Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is on a mission to find out.

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Unmasking Energy Waste: Manufacturing’s Hidden Inefficiencies and Costly Impacts

Energy inefficiencies are silent thieves eroding manufacturing profits and sustainability efforts. From overworked pumps to leaky compressed air systems, these hidden drains often go unnoticed without advanced energy monitoring. Panoramic Power empowers manufacturers with granular, device level energy visibility, and real-time insights to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, transforming waste into savings.

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CME warns TFW program changes could exacerbate Canada’s manufacturing labour shortage

Automation Mag

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) released a statement sharing its concerns about the changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program announced by the federal government recently. CME notes that by restricting access to TFWs, the government risks exacerbating the labour shortages facing Canada’s industrial economy. As recently as May 2024, there were 37,600 unfilled positions in Canada’s manufacturing sector.

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Mantle Stainless Steel Enables 3D Printing of Precision Tooling

Modern Machine Shop

Source: Mantle Inc. Mantle has announced the release of its 420 Stainless Steel material. This material addition improves toolmaking processes, enhancing speed and efficiency while reducing labor requirements, which is beneficial in industries such as medical that require corrosion-resistant tooling. Mantle’s 420 Stainless Steel is chemically equivalent to traditional 420 stainless steel, which is known for its high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance and polishability.

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TOSS Machine Components Highlights PIREG®-545 Panel Mounted Impulse Heat Seal Controller

Manufacturing Tomorrow

High response and precise control ideal for sealing wide variety of polymeric films

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Industry First: AI, Machine Learning Computer Vision for Arc Welding of Pipe

Fabricating & Metal Work

Novarc Technologies Inc., a full-stack robotics company specializing in the design and manufacturing of cobots and computer vision AI for automated welding applications, announced today the company has launched NovEye Autonomy (Gen 2) , a real-time vision processing system that constantly improves weld quality based on data collection and model enhancement to fully automate the pipe welding process while maximizing productivity and delivering the highest quality welds.

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The Supply Chain in 2025: What to Expect

In 2025, the Supply Chain continues its evolution toward “Logistics 4.0,” inspired by Industry 4.0. Two major characteristics define this transformation: automation, driven by robotic solutions, and prediction, paving the way for an era of planning and simulation powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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PneuTech Showcases Innovative, Reliable Nitrogen Generators at FABTECH Orlando 2024

Manufacturing Tomorrow

Visit Booth S36107 to see the innovative, reliable rotary screw compressors and generators that deliver exceptional performance and energy efficiency

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FANUC’s New Control Series with 5-axis Integrated Technology to Support Modern Machining

Fabricating & Metal Work

Global industrial automation leader FANUC America takes the machining world to the next level with the new FANUC Series 500 i -A CNC. This new control series advances machine performance with 5-axis integrated technology and supports both machine tool builders and CNC users with their evolving needs including easier operations, more security and optimized efficiency.

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The Beer Store unveils new partnerships and investments

Canadian Manufacturing

BOLTON — The Beer Store unveils partnerships and investments in response to evolving regulations in Ontario’s beverage alcohol marketplace. The company has expanded its distribution network to accommodate increasing grocery and convenience store customers. Currently, nearly 4,000 convenience store locations have been integrated, with plans to add up to 10,000 new points of sale soon.

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KUKA Robotics to Showcase Advanced Solutions for Packaging and Processing at Pack Expo International

Fabricating & Metal Work

Automation solution provider Technica International will use a KR IONTEC in the booth to demonstrate depalletizing open-top cardboard can trays. The cell’s KR 70 R2100 IONTEC has a maximum reach of 2,101 mm and a rated payload of 70 kg that can subsequently be adjusted even after mounting. Highlighting speed, versatility and flexibility for the packaging and processing industry, KUKA Robotics will feature four innovative robotics cells at PACK EXPO International, Nov. 3-6, at McCormick Place in

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The 2nd Generation of Innovation Management: A Survival Guide

Speaker: Chris Townsend, VP of Product Marketing, Wellspring

Over the past decade, companies have embraced innovation with enthusiasm—Chief Innovation Officers have been hired, and in-house incubators, accelerators, and co-creation labs have been launched. CEOs have spoken with passion about “making everyone an innovator” and the need “to disrupt our own business.” But after years of experimentation, senior leaders are asking: Is this still just an experiment, or are we in it for the long haul?

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POET Technologies reorganizes its engineering team to focus on AI

Canadian Manufacturing

TORONTO — POET Technologies Inc., the designer and developer of the POET Optical Interposer , Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and light sources for the data center, tele-communication and artificial intelligence markets, announced a reorganization of its engineering team to streamline design, component engineering and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities globally, in response to active customer demand for 800G and higher products directed at the AI systems and hyperscale data cent

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How Cisco AACPC Partner IP Consulting Transformed IT for Lowell Light and Power

Cisco Smart Manufacturing

Lowell Light & Power combats cyber threats with Cisco and Cisco AACPC Partner IP Consulting's help, upgrading to secure VoIP systems and robust UCaaS solutions, resulting in cost savings and enhanced trust in their cybersecurity partnership.

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Algoma Steel releases statement in support of new 230kV transmission line in Sault Ste. Marie

Canadian Manufacturing

SAULT STE. MARIE — Algoma Steel Group Inc., a Canadian producer of hot and cold rolled steel sheet and plate products, says they commend PUC (Transmission) LP and Hydro One Sault Ste. Marie LP on each obtaining authorization pursuant to the Ontario Energy Board Act to construct a new 230kV transmission line and related transformation components in Sault Ste.

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Is Your Organization Ready to Harness the Transformative Potential of Mechanical Energy Storage Technologies?

Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing

Mechanical energy storage (MES) technologies have become crucial for ensuring grid stability, energy reliability, and sustainability. As the global shift towards decarbonization accelerates, the need for long-duration energy storage solutions is growing. MES technologies, such as liquid air energy storage (LAES), gravity-based energy storage (GES), and geomechanical pumped storage are leading this energy revolution, offering innovative solutions to meet the increasing demands of the energy stora

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15 Modern Use Cases for Enterprise Business Intelligence

Large enterprises face unique challenges in optimizing their Business Intelligence (BI) output due to the sheer scale and complexity of their operations. Unlike smaller organizations, where basic BI features and simple dashboards might suffice, enterprises must manage vast amounts of data from diverse sources. What are the top modern BI use cases for enterprise businesses to help you get a leg up on the competition?