Robotics Assembly

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Traditionally, some manufacturers have avoided robots because of the cost. However, a new robots-for-hire business model is changing that misperception and enabling many types of companies to benefit from automation.

Airplanes old and new share many of the same types of components. One is a nacelle, or engine housing, with an inlet lip skin that ensures smooth air flow. However, not all planes have similarly shaped lip skins.

Robot sales in North America hit record highs in 2017 in terms of both units sold and total sales. Manufacturers purchased 34,904 total units, representing $1.9 billion in total sales, according to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA).

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, U.K.—Engineers at Newcastle University here are studying how the 3D vision used by praying mantises could lead to simpler visual processing systems in robots. They recently equipped insects with miniature glasses that were temporarily glued on with beeswax.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. recently unveiled a new robotic system that enables remote collaboration by reproducing the movements of engineers.

ABB has integrated the Baldor Electric Co. into its global brand as a part of its Next Level initiative. A member of the ABB group for more than seven years, Baldor Electric is now known as ABB.

Engineers at Harvard University have developed soft robots that can sense touch, pressure, movement and temperature. The devices feature embedded sensors that were inspired by nature and the human body's sensory capabilities.

The North American robotics, machine vision and motion control market continues to set new records. According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the industry achieved several milestones in 2017.

Delta robots are becoming increasingly popular for many types of applications, because they're fast, have small footprints and feature large work envelopes.

Fixtures are essential to most assembly and machining processes. Their design is vital, as they have a direct effect on productivity, cost and quality. It is estimated that 40 percent of rejected parts stem from inappropriate fixturing.