Robotics World articles from March 2005

Robotics World archives from March 2005

Robotics orders rise 20 percent in '04.(RIA UPDATE)
March 1, 2005... International Robots & Vision Show Highlights What's Hot North American manufacturing companies purchased 14,838 robots valued at nearly $1 billion in 2004, a 20 percent rise in units over 2003 and the industry's second best unit total...

Selecting a system integrator.(Feature Story)
March 1, 2005... Imagine what could happen with the wrong system integrator team. After receiving a budgetary quote for a new robotic system, you are holding a meeting to receive the firm proposal. Excited that the project is ready to start, your upper...

Understanding differences among cables in motion control.(MOTION control)
March 1, 2005... In many motion control applications the motor, feedback device or both--frequently or constantly move relative to the controller. This arrangement requires special high flexibility cables. High-flex and continuous flex cables contain a...

Automated welding--no longer just for the big jobs: automated welding is no longer just for long-run, large lot applications. New digital technology that links welding equipment and robotics to create easily programmable cells is enhancing its appeal for ever-smaller and more specialized applications.(Feature Story)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... When robotics and welding operations come together on the shop floor, the results can include dramatic improvements in quality, better repeatability, faster production cycles, less down time and with all of this, an increase in profits. New...

Harford Manufacturing reduces cycle time.(Case Studies)
March 1, 2005... At Harford Manufacturing, two automated welding systems reduced welding cycle time from 30 minutes to 8 minutes on a 12-inch excavator bucket. Manual welding time of excavator buckets varied depending on size between 30 minutes to one hour and...

H-P Products gains new business with welding automation.(Case Studies)
March 1, 2005... At H-P Products, Inc., Louisville, Ohio, six automated welding systems helped capture new business from GM and Chrysler. In June, 2002, the company already was on contract with major automotive manufacturers to fabricate stabilizer bars used in...

Tandem MIG bolsters output at Garden State Chassis by 500 percent.(Case Studies)
March 1, 2005... Manual MIG (GMAW) welding of rear bolster assemblies was too slow to keep up with current orders at Garden State Chassis, Woodbridge, New Jersey, a major producer of high-quality chassis for loading and unloading ship cargo. The company...

What is a robotic end-effector?(Component Spotlight: End-effectors)
March 1, 2005... According to ATI Industrial Automation," A robotic end-effector is any object attached to the robot flange (wrist) that serves a function. This would include robotic grippers, robotic tool changers, robotic collision sensors, robotic rotary...

Old hardware salvaged through new technology: a recent project by Wolf Robotics demonstrates there is a viable option to the high cost of replacing entire robotic welding systems when the mechanical part positioning equipment is still sound and robust.(Robotics Case Studies)
March 1, 2005... What do you do when the robots you bought in 1980 have become obsolete and the manufacturer is no longer in business but some of the system components are still operational and capable of handling today's requirements? Add to that the tendency...

Trendspotting the quick and easy way: how savvy executives stay on top of the latest trends, crushing the competition and multiplying profits.(Economy Trends)
March 1, 2005... The world is changing more rapidly than ever before... and companies that don't keep up are often left behind. IBM failed to foresee the PC revolution and saw its share price plunge by 77% at a time when the Dow was quadrupling in value....

Non-automotive robot orders way up worldwide.(industry news)
March 1, 2005... Editor's note: The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) issued the following report in February. A recent global survey of the robot market shows record-setting growth in robot orders, with most of the growth attributed to...

International Federation of Robotics (IFR) news.(industry news)
March 1, 2005... The 36th International Symposium on Robotics (ISR 2005) will be Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 at the Keidanren Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan. It is organized by the IFR, The Robotic Society of Japan (RSJ), the Manufacturing Science and Technology Center (MSTC), the...

Industrial Robot Suppliers Group.(industry news)
March 1, 2005... In other IFR news, Mr. Kevin Ostby has been newly appointed chairman of the Industrial Robot Suppliers Group.

Executive committee 2004/2005.(industry news)
March 1, 2005... During the EC meeting in Orlando last November, Dr. Jong-Oh Park was appointed as vice-chairman of the IFR.

IFR/IEEE cooperation work group.(industry news)
March 1, 2005... A joint committee has been formed: Dr. Sukhan Lee (Chair), Ms. Jeanne Dietch, Dr. Erwin Prassler, Mr. Paul Johnston and Herman Verbrugge. A one-day joint IFR/IEEE workshop will be held in conjunction with the IEEE/ICRA Conference in...

Baldor Electric Co.(New Products)
March 1, 2005... Baldor Electric Co., manufacturer of energy saving industrial electric motors, drives and generators, made a new line of adjustable speed drives the focal point of its exhibit during the 2005 Manufacturing Week Show in Chicago. Baldor says...

Staubli Robotics.(New Products)
March 1, 2005... Staubli Robotics has presented two models of the completely new developed robot generation TX. By enlarging its variety of products by the small TX40 and high payload RX260 robots, Staubli is no longer just a niche player for specific...

Right Angle Bevel--Planetary Servo Gearheads for economical drive solutions.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... Neugart USA, LP extended the product range of its Right Angle Bevel Planetary Servo-Gearheads "WPLE". This product is now available in 4 sizes from 40 mm (NEMA 17) to 120 mm (NEMA 42), 22 ratios from 3:1 to 512:1) The WPLE gearheads are...

Robotic Rotary Joint.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... 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...

2004-05 Robotics Industry directory debuts; commemorates association's 30th anniversary.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... A new edition of the Robotic Industries Association's (RIA) supplier directory is now available and includes a special anniversary pullout poster. In addition to the 184 expanded supplier and integrator member profiles, the directory also...

Deltron linear actuators are among the smallest lead-screw driven actuators available.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... Deltron linear actuators are among the smallest lead-screw driven actuators available. Complete with beamed coupling and motor mount they provide precise reciprocating low friction motion for many types of automated industrial equipment....

Interactive Web site takes the guesswork out of specifying precision linear actuators.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... Go to http://www.ultramotion.com and select motor and lead screw for the "Digit" linear actuators, or motor, lead screw, and belt-drive-ratio for the "Bug" series. To evaluate performance a Force/Speed Curve is generated. Being able to...

JR3 force-torque sensors & receiver/processors.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... JR3 produces a wide range of six axis force-torque sensors for use with robots and industrial automation. DSP based Receiver/Processor boards are available for PCI bus, cPCI bus as well as the ISA bus and VMEbus versions. Analog output sensors...

The Fredricks Company.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... Affordable TrueTilt[pounds sterling][TM] MCL Series Tilt Sensors are available in two models and feature arc-second resolution, outstanding repeatability, a patented, field-proven metal design for durability and superior dimensional tolerances....

Save time with 3D motor downloads.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... 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...

Stainless steel linear actuator.(Robotics World Showcase)
March 1, 2005... The Miniline[TM] family of compact linear actuators is now available in an all-stainless version. Intended for use in corrosive environments, this actuator has internal limit switches, planetary gearing and a coaxial motor for high performance...