Robotics World articles from January 2006

Robotics World archives from January 2006

Refurbished robots can save replacement costs.(Feature Story)(Cover story)
January 1, 2006... Modern robots are built to last longer - one of the reason that some manufacturing companies are looking at refurbishing their existing robots versus buying new equipment. However, many manufacturers still prefer to invest in the latest...

New Market Incubator Program to fund initial research announced.(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... RIA's Robot Market Incubator Program, a comprehensive effort to develop new markets for robotic technology, and continue the unprecedented growth of the industry, has been announced. The initial element of the Incubator Program, the Robot...

Robot Safety committee plans.(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... Work continues on updates to the RIA/ANSI R 15.06-1999 Robot Safety Standard. The safety committee is meeting on a regular basis to develop changes that bring it closer to international standards. The Committee is taking a proactive approach to...

2006 North American Robot Safety Conference set for March.(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... Some 150 participants are expected at the annual 2006 North American Robot Safety Conference, March 22-24, 2006, in Toronto, cosponsored by the Robotic Industries Association and the Canadian Standards Association. This is the fourth year...

2006 Robotic Conference speaking opportunities available.(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... Robotic Packaging & Palletizing Workshop: Do you have a practical, solutions-oriented presentation you'd like to give at a new RIA workshop on robotic packaging and palletizing this Spring 2006? Robots 2006: This well received...

Membership committee develops new benefits; aids RIA's growth.(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... RIA Membership is up nearly 10%, with some 250 members. Growth has been especially strong in the new Integrator category, which provides custom benefits to promote integrators, including special online promotion in the industry's number-one Web...

Robotics Online Career Center: like a job fair, but it's online; now with "Featured Jobs".(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... The Featured Jobs Career Center enhancement makes your job posting jump out and command attention. Featured Jobs will increase your company's exposure for 30 days, placing your open positions where they belong- in front of the industry's most...

Association events.(ria UPDATE)(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... Machine Vision Solutions for Life Sciences Applications Workshop Pittcon 2006 57th Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy Orange County Convention Center March 12, 2006 Orlando, FL...

Announcing ... enhanced risk assessment software.(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... Manufacturers in increasing numbers are using robots side-by-side with other manufacturing equipment. To address this need, RIA's separate application Robot Risk Assessment software tool has been integrated into designsafe[R] version 4. As a...

RIA's free 2006 Robotics Industry Directory provides more; now with researcher listings.(ria UPDATE)(Directory)
January 1, 2006... The 2006 Robotics Industry Directory is now available, with more listings and more information about RIA members. Because it is a members-only book, the Directory is the most reliable guide to current suppliers and integrators with the highest...

The Vision Show East returns to Boston, May 9-11, 2006.(ria UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... The Vision Show East is North America's leading showcase of machine vision components, systems and solutions. Held May 9-11, 2006 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts, the show is the premier venue for discovering new...

ATX West attracts leading Robotics firms.
January 1, 2006... The Automation Technology Expo West (ATX West) is an industry exhibition that offers a wide range of automation solutions, including assembly, robotics, sensors, vision inspection systems, motors, drives, motion control, and control software....

Simulations speed & smooth automated coatings on F-35 aircraft.(Robotics Case Studies)
January 1, 2006... Coatings on next-generation military fighter aircraft are critical to maximizing airflow and minimizing thermal buildup at high speeds. On a sophisticated aircraft such as the F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), those coatings...

Performance Motion Devices, Inc.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... Performance Motion Devices, Inc. (www.pmdcorp.com) has announced their new ION[TM] DC Brush Drive. The compact, fully enclosed module is the second in the company's line of high-performance motion-control drives. It offers network connectivity,...

Kerk Motion Products Inc.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... Kerk Motion Products, Inc. (www.kerkmotion.com) has introduced the VHD series assemblies as an alternative to ball screws for high load-carrying applications. The VHD series is ideal for eliminating drag and wear associated with high preload...

Amacoil, Inc.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... Amacoil, Inc. (www.amacoil.com) reports that its AZ line of timing belt drives, such as the AZ-2000, provide troublefree performance even in dust-filled environments. As an example, the company reveals that Uhing Company (www.uhing.com) has...

Bosch Rexroth Corp.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... Bosch Rexroth Corp. (www.boschrexroth-us.com) has designed the VarioFlow[TM] work piece pallet system to support VarioFlow[TM] 65- and 90-mm-wide conveyor systems. It is ideal for linking machine tools and manual workstations, as well as...

BEI Technologies.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... BEI Technologies (www.bei-tech.com) has expanded the capability of their popular HS35 hollow-shaft style encoder for finer resolution. High resolution is obtained using robust internal interpolation electronics that multiply internal signals...

MTS Sensors.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... MTS Sensors (www.mtssensors.com) features its Temposonics line of magnetostrictive linear-position sensors, including the mode RP and RH sensors. These rugged, industrial sensors provide a linear absolution measurement of position using...

Aerotech.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) offers the BLMUC series of compact but robust linear motors. The "U-channel" motors measure only 52.0 x 20.8 mm in cross section are ideally suited for pick-and-place automated assembly systems. They are well suited...

Parker Electromechanical Automation.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... Parker Electromechanical Automation (www.parkermotion.com) features its Gemini GT6 microstepping drive/con troller combinations, compact stand-alone controllers and drive in a compact package. These microstepping drive/controller systems are...

Arrick Robotics.(New Products in Motion Control)
January 1, 2006... Arrick Robotics (www.robotics.com) has assembled the MD-2 stepper motor system, complete with motors, cables, driver, software, and pertinent documentation. The system connects to the parallel printer port of a personal computer for control and...

Automated Assemblies bolsters sales force.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Automated Assemblies Corp. (www.aacrobot.com), a leading designer and supplier of robots and workcell solutions for the plastics injection molding industry, has added to its sales presence along the US East Coast. The company recently named...

Wolf Robotics hires Western Regional Manager.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Wolf Robotics (www.wolfrobotics.com) has appointed Patrick Davis as the Regional Manager for the Western United States. In his new post, Davis will handle sales of robotic welding and cutting equipment featuring ABB robots from standard LeanArc...

Motion Industries recognized by General Motors.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Motion Industries (www.motionindustries.com) was presented with a "People Make Quality Happen" award by General Motors Spring Hill Manufacturing facility. The award is in recognition of Motion Industries' participation in cost-cutting efforts...

Adept Technology selected for molecular diagnostics system.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Adept Technology, Inc. (www.adept.com) has been selected by Becton, Dickinson and Company, as their robotics automation supplier for the BD ProbeTec[TM] molecular diagnostics system, a groundbreaking platform, for in vitro diagnostic...

Bruce Hueners named president of Palomar Technologies.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Palomar Technologies (www.palomartechnoogies.com), a leader in precision automation and assembly equipment, announced that Bruce W. Hueners has been named company President. Mr. Hueners joined Palomar Technologies in 1981 when it was Hughes...

Pro-Dex completes acquisition of Astromec.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Pro-Dex, Inc. (www.micromotorsinc.com), a supplier of embedded motion control and miniature rotary drive systems, has announced the acquisition of substantially all assets related to the business of Astromec Inc., a developer and manufacturer...

Advanced Motion Controls ships 1 millionth servo.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Late last year, Advanced Motion Controls (www.a-m-c.com) announced that they had produced their one-millionth servo drive. The company started over 17 years ago as a two-person operation, founded by Sandor Barta and Daniel Schoenewald. The...

Automated Assemblies awarded US Patent.(product & industry news)
January 1, 2006... Automated Assemblies Corp. (www.aacrobot.com) was awarded US Patent number 6.900.608.B2 for a robot and controller process that automatically enables robots to operate at the fastest possible motion sequence without operator involvement. The...

Lenox Instrument Company.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Lenox Instrument Company (www.lenoxinst.com) has developed the Micro Borescope for close-range inspection of electronic components, medical devices, and cast and machined parts, as well as for security and covert applications. Particularly...

IPR Sohner Plastic.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... IPR Sohner Plastic (www.iprautomation.com) has unveiled its new 7th Axis Robot Transporter for the rapid and accurate positioning of a wide range of stationary industrial robots. It can position robots to a horizontal axis of 40 ft. (12 m) and...

SICK.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... SICK (www.sick.com) has announced the availability of the IN4000 Inductive Safety Sensor. It is a reliable, noncontact safety position sensor designed to replace traditional contact sensors. The IN4000 is rated Category 4, in accordance with EN...

DE-STA-CO.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... DE-STA-CO (www.destaco.com) provides Modular End Effector (MET) tooling as an optimal solution for flexible modular automation. The MET product line can be easily configured to meet a variety of material handling applications including...

The Value Engineering Alliance.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The Value Engineering Alliance (www.The-V-E-A.com) has added the PIATI'_MT, to the fully integrated systems segment of its PIATI[TM] line of ECC200 data matrix decoders. Suitable for automated laboratory and manufacturing operations that...

OSA-LATOR.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... OSA-LATOR (www.osalator.com) has introduced a new fiat-table-top style for its standard models of robotic indexing tables. Depending on the model chosen, either a square, rectangular or round (dial) platform shape can be selected. This...

Micro Motion Technologies.(SPOTLIGHT in assembly products)
January 1, 2006... Micro Motion Technologies (www.micromotiontech.com) has developed the ATL- 1000 automatic tray loader to handle as many as 24 thin JEDEC trays. It can also handle thick JEDEC trays as well as EIAJ type trays. The system is built for continuous...

Palomar Technologies.(SPOTLIGHT in assembly products)
January 1, 2006... Palomar Technologies (www.palomartechnologies.com) has developed the model 3500-II automatic component assembly cell to reduce setup costs in high-volume component assembly applications. Designed for microelectronics assembly, the...

Robohand, De-STA-CO Company.(SPOTLIGHT in assembly products)
January 1, 2006... Robohand, a DE-STA-CO Company (www.robohand.com) has announced the DPD series double wedge parallel gripper with DIRECTCONNECT[TM] technology. Available in 12 sizes ranging from 1/16 to 2 inches, the grippers can exert grip forces from 12 to...

Schunk.(SPOTLIGHT in assembly products)
January 1, 2006... SCHUNK (www.schunk-usa.com) has introduced their LIRAX-M RD rotary modules with torque motors to blend maximum positioning accuracy with strong dynamic performance in assembly applications. The LIRAX-M RD rotary modules can largely eliminate...

Kawasaki Robotics.(SPOTLIGHT in assembly products)
January 1, 2006... Kawasaki Robotics (USA), Inc. (www.kawasakirobotics.com) has developed the Servo Shuttle servo-controlled robotic table painting system for high-speed piece transfer and rotation with smooth start and stop operation. The Servo Shuttle is...

Lanco Assembly Systems.(SPOTLIGHT in assembly products)
January 1, 2006... Lanco Assembly Systems (www.lanco.net) offers the Lanco Assembly Bench as a cost-effective system for efficient assembly of small parts. The single work cell maximizes operator efficiency by eliminating repetitive motion. The company offers...

Save time with 3D motor downloads.(Robotics World Showcase)
January 1, 2006... Dynetic Systems and Solid Works 3D CAD modeling software have developed a web page, offering configurable, downloadable 3D models of fractional horsepower DC Brushed and Brushless motors. Downloads are available in almost any format from CAD to...

Atlanta Drive Systems, Inc.(Robotics World Showcase)
January 1, 2006... Offering a wide range of standard Rack & Pinion drives, in helical & straight tooth versions, in an assortment of sizes, materials and quality levels. Atlanta Drive Systems, Inc. Phone: (800) 500-1715 * Fax: (732) 282-0450 Email:...

2006 Robotics Industry Directory: now with researcher listings.(Robotics World Showcase)
January 1, 2006... The 2006 edition of RIA's Directory is now available, with more listings and more information. Includes members-only listings of suppliers, integrators and consultants, plus a new researcher listings section. Containing 191 company profiles,...

ABIROB[R] from ABICOR Binzel USA.(Robotics World Showcase)
January 1, 2006... Flexible, 360 and 500 Amp ABIROB modular designed torches allow the user to quickly change the swanneck or cable assembly while maintaining tool center point (TCP). The keyed torch mounting-arm duplicates TCP with complete torch change. ABIROB...

Robotic Rotary Joint.(Robotics World Showcase)
January 1, 2006... ATI Industrial Automation has just released a new product that allows unlimited rotation of end-of-arm tooling without tangling or twisting robot lines. By utilizing advanced slip-ring technology the Rotary Joint passes electrical and pneumatic...

Accurate, fast compact SCARA robots Install easily in small space.(Robotics World Showcase)
January 1, 2006... The Yamaha YK180X and K220X are compact SCARA robots with arm lengths of 180 mm and 220 mm. With an installation footprint as small as 112 mm x 105 mm, these robots offer great flexibility in system design. With XY positional repeatability of...