FIRST strives to engage students in grades K-12 in exciting and innovative programs designed around the use of robotics to develop science and technology skills and motivate students to pursue careers in science, technology, and engineering. PTC is a sponsor and the highest level supplier – Crown level – of the FIRST Robotics Competition. PTC […]
International Robotic Safety Standards Keep Pace with Advances
Technical advances in microprocessors, artificial intelligence techniques, and automation and control systems have ushered in a new age of robotics. Despite breakthrough applications from manufacturing to medicine, robots carry risk. Without proper precautions in place, a robot experiencing a fault or failure might cause serious injuries to people and damage to capital equipment in or […]
igus Joins Forces with Student Robotics Program
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For the sixth consecutive season, igus® has joined forces with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)—a not-for-profit organization that inspires young peoples’ interest and participation in science and technology—as a gold supplier of its robotics competition. The FIRST Robotics Competition gold supplier level denotes a contribution between $50,000 […]
FIRST to Unveil Innovative New Game at 2010 First Robotics Competition Kickoff
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) launches its FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) season with a Kickoff event. The 2010 season will include more than 1,800 teams (over 45,000 high-school students) participating in 50 regional and district events. All teams will be shown the 2010 game field for the first time and will […]
Viper MBC Screw Driving Robot
The Viper MBC is an engineered fastener feeding and installing robot package for seamless integration by machine builders. It incorporates a 4-axis SCARA robot that delivers lightning fast screw driving and flawless fastener delivery. The Viper MBC is preconfigured and modular so it can be quickly deployed. Our lean, flexible design allows placement in a […]
Cleaning Solar Panels with a Robotic Gecko
In the future, robots will help to clean solar panels. One particularly interesting member of this new wave of cleaners is the Gekko from Serbot AG. It never loses its grip on the sloping panels thanks to its special suction feet. On the inside it has numerous components from Festo and benefits from its engineering […]
Cicoil Cables Help NASA Flex Some Muscle on Mars
Valencia, CA — Cicoil High-Flex Cables are allowing NASA to perform critical, extreme environment robotic tests, in preparation for the Mars Exploration Program. Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), scheduled to launch in 2011, is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, a long-term robotic exploration of the red planet. Mars Science Laboratory is a rover that will […]
Select the Right Robot for the Right Job
There are many types of robots that automate tasks in manufacturing and assembly lines. Depending on the application, a range of robots can be used including Scara, Delta, articulated arm, and Cartesian configurations. To make a decision on which type to implement, consider work load, working area, speed, and precision requirements. Given these parameters, some […]
Robot Lowers Multiple Costs for Packagers
“Packaging manufacturers are finding the global market place increasingly competitive, which has spawned a new metric adherence within production and packaging environments,” said John Dulchinos, president and CEO of Adept Technology, Inc. “Companies are now closely examining Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Cost-Per-Pick (CPP) when they invest in new lines and automation equipment.” The […]
ST Robotics Introduces "Firefly"
PRINCETON, NJ – – ST Robotics announced the introduction of their new R12-500, dubbed “Firefly” — a technological and economical breakthrough in bench-top robotics. At last, small companies looking to increase the production goals of their automated processes can afford such a robust, industrial robot system — one that can be unpacked and programmed in […]
EPSON Introduces Compact 6 Axis Robots
Carson, CA – EPSON Robots introduces the new EPSON C3 Compact 6 Axis Robots. Leading the industry with best in class cycle time, precision and motion range, EPSON C3 robots provide superior performance for even the most demanding and complex applications. “Unique to the EPSON C3 is our new SlimLine design which provides exceptionally advanced […]
Adept’s Quattro Robot Breaks 300 Cycle Per Minute Barrier
Pleasanton, CA – Adept Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADEP) announced its Adept Quattro Robot has broken the 300 cycle per minute barrier. The record robotic performance threshold was set using the 25mm x 300mm x 25mm standard cycle. The industry has long benchmarked speeds using this quantifier and Adept has once again raised the bar. The Adept […]
Robot Plays Guitar Hero
Minneapolis, MN — Banner Engineering Corp. partnered with a Minnesota West Community and Technical College engineering student and robotics instructor to develop a robot designed to play the Guitar Hero® video game—responding to each note as it appears onscreen. Pete Nikrin, who graduated from Minnesota West in 2008 and now works as a manufacturing engineer […]
Plastic Gear Assures Smooth Manipulator Motion
When Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Elk Grove Village, Ill., introduced a dual axis robotic manipulator to control sputtering in the manufacturing of computer hard drives, it relied on a sophisticated drive and pulley system that all too quickly developed a troublesome, excessive wear problem. A self-lubricating, anti-backlash gear from Intech Corp., replaced the complex pulley drive-train […]
Pharmacy Sorting Robot Glides with Redi-Rail Linear Guides
Rockford, IL – Pharmaceutical automation cuts dispensing costs, ensures accuracy and increases thru-put, allowing pharmacies to recover their investment, ensure quality and lower costs to consumers. PBC Linear’s Redi-Rail® linear guide was installed as a replacement positioning system for Manchac Technologies’ fully automated pharmaceutical robot, the Dosis L60. Chosen for its precision linear guidance, sealed […]
Single Axis Robot RS Series Actuators
Schaumburg, IL – Misumi USA, Inc. announces the expansion of its line of Single Axis Actuators with an all-new product offering Misumi Single Axis Robot RS Series Actuators. The new RS Series can be utilized in a wide range of automated machine applications requiring precise motion control. For example, they can be used to perform […]
Camera Captures a Better View
For robotic guidance and material handling/logistics systems, the TZG01 Digital 3D Cameras replace multiple camera systems and extend the potential of 3D object detection. Equipped with an integrated Time of Flight (ToF) sensor, these cameras supply data on target dimensions and position with one snapshot that captures and displays both a distance and a grayscale […]
An Encoder that Gives You More Options
A desirable feature in many products is flexibility. TT electronics BI Technologies is developing an absolute encoder that promises to deliver greater flexibility for robotics and industrial applications through the inclusion of its proprietary DAPS (Digital Angular Position Sensor) technology. Available with multiple output configurations, the encoder will feature 12-bit resolution over 360-degree rotation. The […]
EPSON Robots Introduces the New EPSON RS3 Robot
EPSON Robots introduces the new EPSON RS3 Robot, featuring all the benefits of a typical SCARA plus more. The unique new design of the EPSON RS3 clearly puts it ahead of other robots in its class with superior cycle times and larger work envelope access thus opening up new application possibilities. More after the jump. […]
Torsion-resistant Robot Cable
Shielded robot cable handles applications involving high levels of torsion. Chainflex® CF Robot is for both robotic and non-robotic applications. In contrast to conventional braided copper shields, which are counter-wound, a torsion-resistant tin-plated copper shield sheath is used with CF Robot. The forces affected on the cable by any torsional movement are largely absorbed by […]
Why Do Robots Get Stuck in the Sand?
Advanced mobile robots explore complex terrains across the globe (and even on Mars), but have difficulty traversing sand and other granular media like dirt, rubble or slippery piles of leaves. A recently published study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences takes a detailed look at the problem of robot locomotion on […]
Rixan Introduces Fully Ease-Of-Use Swivel Stand System
Dayton, OH — Rixan Associates, Inc. recently introduced unique Swivel Stand Systems (the RSS-1000 and RSS-2000) that offer repeatable positioning for automated operations. In many automated machining operations, the operators require access to the machine to set-up the job and perform routine maintenance. The robot, or automated feeder, must be removed and later reinstalled to […]