ANN ARBOR, MI—The robotics market in North America posted its second-highest quarter ever in terms of robots ordered in first quarter 2014, according to new statistics from the Robotic Industries Association. A total of 5,938 robots valued at $338 million were ordered by companies in North America in the first quarter 2014, coming in just shy of the all-time record of 6,235 robots valued at $385 million in fourth quarter 2012.
YOKOHAMA, Japan—Ninety-six percent of the production process at Toyota’s Motomachi assembly plant is completed by robots. The plant employs 760 robots and produces one vehicle every 135 seconds.
Dublin, VA, is well known for being named after Ireland’s most famous city. But it is best known as home to the largest Volvo Trucks manufacturing facility in the world.
Bradford White Corp. is unique among its competitors in two ways. First and foremost is its business model, which prevents the sale of the company’s water heaters directly to consumers or commercial businesses. Heaters are only sold to licensed plumbers at various supply houses to ensure proper and safe water heater installation, and to prevent code violations.
BERLIN—Kuka Systems was awarded another major contract from Volkswagen to build a robotic assembly line for the rear underbody and side members of vehicles. The robots will perform such tasks as spot welding, dispensing and material handling.
Standardization is a key concept behind lean manufacturing. It allows assemblers to reduce variation, increase consistency, cut costs and improve productivity by following a prescribed set of work instructions.