by Andrew Waugh, Product Manager for Sensors and Safety at AutomationDirect.com Operator safety is a top priority for machine and robot installations, and safety switches help implement the desired level of protection. Protecting an operator from safety hazards should be at the top of the list for all designers of automated equipment such as machines […]
5 mechanical considerations for electrical engineers
Edited by Paul J. Heney, Editorial Director Trying to size and space the electrical components before the mechanics are defined can lead to wasted time and rework. High-performance mechatronic systems require a complex interplay of electrical and mechanical systems to accomplish increasingly demanding tasks. The problem? Mechanical engineers and electrical engineers are often educated within […]
A gentleman made of modular components
Friendly and likeable; invisible when not needed; on call around the clock: the butler of the future is called Care-O-bot 4, developed by the Frauenhofer IPA in Stuttgart, and Schunk, and it was recently showcased at Hannover Messe. The modular design of Care-O-bot 4 allows diverse configurations and applications. “Its high degree of standardization makes […]
Flexible automation in industry 4.0, with Schunk sensors
Together with several partners, Schunk transforms the vision of the smart factory into reality. Condition and process monitoring and communication are directly done at the component level with Schunk sensors. The smart Schunk modules are closing the gap in handling objects, and allow a consistent flow of information from the gripper finger to the ERP system. […]
ABB acquires Gomtec
ABB announced today it acquired Gomtec GmbH to expand its offering in the field of collaborative robots. The parties agreed not to disclose financial terms of the transaction. Gomtec, based near Munich, Germany, is a privately held company that develops mechatronic systems combining mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, control and computer engineering for customers in diverse industries. […]
igus celebrates National Robotics Week at the 2nd annual Rhode Island Robot Block Party
igus, founder of the yes (Young Engineers Support) Program, will be wrapping up National Robotics Week with an educational celebration at the 2nd annual Robot Block Party, April 11th at Brown University’s Pizzitola Sports Center, from 12-4 PM. At the party, igus will have a number of exciting robot giveaways for students, as well as […]
Making the correct robotics choices at the best price
Because of the many options in the field of robotics, end users sometimes face a dilemma in choosing between entry-level and high-performance features. People have different perceptions of how to define performance, speed, power or expensive controls. The best approach is to use a defined set of sizing and selection criteria to determine the required […]
Raising the profile of scientists and engineers through FIRST Robotics
This guest blog was contributed by Bishop-Wisecarver Corp. “The average kid on the street can tell you the names of a dozen football players or basketball players or Hollywood stars. None of them can tell you the name of any famous living scientist or engineer.” —Dean Kamen, inventor, in an interview with CBS News Right now, […]
Doing the heavy lifting: when Cartesian robots make the most sense
Compared to a Cartesian robot, a SCARA or six-axis system will generally deliver higher performance out of the box at a higher cost and with greater programming requirements, but with a smaller footprint, less weight and less rigid arm extension. On the other hand, a Cartesian system provides building blocks to create a solution that […]
6 things small manufacturers need to know about Cartesian robots
1. They handle heavier loads—A 20 kg payload is no problem for a Cartesian robot, which makes money savings possible by downsizing mechanics, using smaller components and less complex controls. 2. They fit tough orientations—A Cartesian robot is able to achieve the required precision when space is tight. 3. They widen travel range—Cartesian robots work […]
6-axis robot for sterile environments
DENSO Robotics announced introduction of its new compact, high-speed, VS-050 six-axis aseptic robot, which features an ISO 5 cleanroom rating and specially designed coverings, for applications where biocontamination control is required. “We created the VS-050 aseptic robot because of rapidly increasing demand in the pharmaceutical, medical and life sciences sectors,” said Peter Cavallo, robotics sales […]
5 keys to “mechatronics made easy”
By Mark Huebner, Market Development Manager, PBC Linear & 3DP Unlimited Bringing together mechanical, electrical, programming, and control engineering is not effortless. But integrating technology advances, and focusing on these five areas, can simplify the process and ensure that mechatronics is made easy. Today’s fast paced product development cycles and rapid advances in technology have […]
Toys: Big Mechatronic Challenges in Small Packages
By Steve Meyer, Contributing Editor Will your kids be begging you for this amazing robot in 2014? Sometimes, a designer’s main mechatronic challenge is to make something that is normally big and complex into something small and inexpensive. Such is the case with MIP robots. MIP stands for Mobile Inverted Pendulum. It is one solution […]
How to Convert Print-unit Systems into Gearless Systems
Dr. Razvan Panaitescu, AMD PM MS, Siemens Industry, Inc. Converting print unit systems to gearless systems may be a new concept in the printing industry, but better accuracy often results. For years, printing systems have used the same gear designs to replicate an image. With these designs, alignment problems happen, as well as inconsistencies in […]
Machine builders use mechatronics
The origination of the term “mechatronics” is credited to Tetsuro Mori, an engineer at the Japanese company Yaskawa, in 1969, who was working to develop an industrial robot. The mechatronics discipline has always given engineers a unique perspective on machine tool design, building and use in the manufacturing world. However, it was the automotive industry […]
Minarik Drives and American Control Electronics Gain ISO Certification
Hegel Holdings, parent company for both the Minarik Drives & American Control Electronics brands, announced that they have earned ISO9001:2008 Certification for the design and manufacture of electronics control solutions for industrial and commercial applications. ISO 9001:2008 certification is granted to organizations that adhere to international standards for quality management that ensure the organization fulfills […]
CGI Sponsors Youth Robotics Competition
CGI, Inc announces their pledge towards becoming the main event sponsor for the Northern Nevada FTC® Championship Tournament February 24-25 at Carson City High School, Carson City, NV. Founded by Dean Kamen in 1992, FIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that […]
Nippon Pulse Introduces Green Drive Linear Actuator
Nippon Pulse has announced the introduction of its newest linear servo product, the Green Drive linear actuator. The Green Drive is an all-inclusive linear direct drive actuator suited for high-performance applications requiring high force, accuracy, and precision. Features of Nippon Pulse’s Green Drive include: • Acceleration (peak) force of up to 600N for 40 seconds […]
Minarik Drives Announces Distribution Agreement with Kaman Industrial Technologies
Minarik Drives is very pleased to announce that it has signed and implemented a National Distribution Agreement with Kaman Industrial Technologies. This agreement will further enhance a partnership that will provide Minarik Drives with 200 new locations and will provide Kaman Industrial Technologies a premier DC drive and drive systems product line. “We are very […]
High Speed and Long Reach 6-Axis Robots from EPSON
EPSON Robots introduces the new EPSON S5-Series 6-Axis Robot Lineup. S5-Series are high speed, mid size 6-axis robots with a small footprint and advanced flexibility for even the most demanding and complex applications. Designed for maximum performance, S5-Series robots feature EPSON’s new SlimLine design for increased flexibility. The enhanced slim body and compact wrist design […]
New Bench Top XYZ Dispensing Robots for Adhesive, Sealant and Gasketing Applications
Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc.’s Bench Top XYZ series dispensing robots are now available as part of a complete turn-key robotic dispensing system for 1-part and 2-part materials. The XYZ gantry robot system applies adhesives, sealants and lubricants with precision placement directly onto the customer’s part quickly with repeatable accuracy. The Bench Top XYZ Robot […]
Robotic Palletizers Make Shift from Proprietary to Open Controls
Palletizers and depalletizers have evolved from basic, hand-operated machinery into highly complex devices that can be configured for virtually any layer pattern, product packaging or container — including cases, shrinkpacks, totes, bales and trays. The integration of a robotic arm into palletizers allows for floor space savings, product flexibility, and around-the-clock productivity. Robotic arm integration […]