Robotics World articles from May 2001

Robotics World archives from May 2001

Boomer Retirement and Productivity: Part Two.
May 1, 2001... This is the second installment of my "Boomer Retirement an Productivity" series. Last month we heard from Rick Schneider, president of FANUC Robotics North America. This month it's Craig Jennings, president of Motoman Inc. and well-known in the...

ATC Sponsors Modern Marketing Conference.
May 1, 2001... The Automation Technologies Council will sponsor the Third Annual Modern Marketing Conference for high-tech marketing and sales professionals who will gather in New York, July 30-31. An all-new panel of experts has been selected to help...

Safety Conference Set for Oct. 15-18.
May 1, 2001... The Robotic Industries Association's National Robot Safety Conference, set for Oct. 15-18 at the Ypsilanti Marriott's Eagle Crest Conference Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich., is the world's largest safety conference dedicated to training employees...

International Robots & Vision Conference Special Luncheon: NASA's Space Science Enterprise.
May 1, 2001... The upcoming International Robots & Vision Conference in Rosemont (Chicago), Ill., has announced a special luncheon, NASA's Space Science Enterprise, for Tuesday, June 5, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., in the Donald E. Stephens Conference...

Lincoln Electric Dedicates New Technology Center.
May 1, 2001... Cleveland -- Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. recently dedicated its new 150,000-square-foot technology center at its Cleveland operations. The $20 million center is named after David C. Lincoln, the son of the company's founder, the late...

Nachi-Fujikoshi, Daihen Form Alliance.
May 1, 2001... Tokyo -- Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp. and Daihen Corp. plan to form an alliance to develop robots, application software and control systems. The alliance, in which the companies will procure common parts, unify operations and share system housing...

Zmation Inc. Recognized for Growth.
May 1, 2001... Portland, Ore. -- Zmation Inc., a supplier of custom automated systems and standard platforms to the electronics, semiconductor, fiber-optic, computer peripherals, automotive and medical-device industries, has been recognized by Deloitte &...

Panasonic Expands Robotics Training.
May 1, 2001... Franklin Park, Ill. -- Panasonic Factory Automation Co. has expanded its training programs for using automated robotic arc-welding equipment. The program equips the workforce with essential knowledge to perform the diverse skills...

Denso Establishes Corporate Foundation.
May 1, 2001... Detroit -- Denso International America Inc. has established a corporate foundation with future assets to total approximately $15 million at full endowment in 2010. The Denso North America Foundation will provide grants to institutions of...

First Robotic Telecollaborative Surgeries Performed.
May 1, 2001... Santa Barbara, Calif. -- A London Health Sciences Centre team of surgeons in London, Ontario, Canada, performed the world's first series of telecollaborative surgeries using Computer Motion Inc.'s SOCRATES Telecollaborative System. To...

People.
May 1, 2001... Robert Kish has been appointed regional sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region for De-Sta-Co, and SteveValade has been named regional product manager for the Midwest Central Region.... Yvan Beauregard has been named vice president of...

Tecnomatix Launches GPS Division.
May 1, 2001... Herzeliya, Israel -- Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd. has created a Global Professional Services division to provide end-to-end, e-manufacturing solutions and services, including consulting, development, implementation support and engineering. ...

Apogent Technologies Inc.
May 1, 2001... Apogent Technologies Inc. has acquired BioRobotics Group Ltd. In Haslingfield, England. BioRobotics, founded in 1993, is a provider of automated instrumentation solutions used in functional genomics.

Zymark.
May 1, 2001... Zymark and Bayer Corp.'s Diagnostics Business Group are collaborating to provide an automated platform for cell-based compound screening.

Qpoint Robotic Solutions.
May 1, 2001... Qpoint Robotic Solutions recently opened in the Dayton, Ohio, area as a provider of robotic turn-key solutions. The company, owned by Edward Paterchak and Patrick Laughter, initially will focus sales efforts in the Midwest, targeting...

Adept Technology Inc.
May 1, 2001... Adept Technology Inc. has named Siasun Robot & Automation Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Shenyang Institute of Automation, Adept's new system integrator in China. Siasun will integrate Adept products into complete automation solutions for the...

Applied Manufacturing Technologies Inc.
May 1, 2001... Applied Manufacturing Technologies Inc. has become Dynalog Inc.'s first U.S. distributor. World Wide Automation BV, located in the Netherlands, is also a new Dynalog distributor.

AK Steel.
May 1, 2001... AK Steel's Rockport, Ind., steel finishing facility, which uses robotic cranes and automatic-guided vehicles to transport 60-ton steel coils, has earned Ford Motor Co.'s Q1 Quality Certification Award.

Dr. Marc Katz.
May 1, 2001... On March 5, Dr. Marc Katz at Henrico Doctors' Hospital performed the nation's first FDA-approved robotically assisted thoracic surgery using Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci surgical system. The system was cleared for thoracic surgical procedures...

Lamb Technicon Body & Assembly.
May 1, 2001... Lamb Technicon Body & Assembly, in conjunction with members of the Auto Body Consortium, is working on a NIST-sponsored Hot Metal Gas Forming Project, which was formed to develop the next generation of steel-and aluminum-forming processes.

The Lincoln Electric Co.
May 1, 2001... The Lincoln Electric Co. is implementing Six Sigma methodology to improve quality of performance.

Caliper Technologies Inc.
May 1, 2001... In an OEM agreement with Zymark Corp., Caliper Technologies Inc. is now a volume user and distributor of Zymark's Twister Universal Microplate Handler, a key component of Caliper's LabChip High-Throughput Screening systems.

Spearhead Automated Systems.
May 1, 2001... Spearhead Automated Systems, a division of Flow International, has been named Robotic Systems Integrator of the Year by Motoman Inc. This is the ninth consecutive year that Spearhead has earned the award.

PPG Industries.
May 1, 2001... PPG Industries received a PACE award, sponsored by Automotive News magazine and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, for Audioguard sound- and vibration-dampening coating, which is applied robotically.

Improvements in Machine Vision Give Robots Affordable, Reliable Eyesight.
May 1, 2001... Over the past 20 years, machine vision has been applied slowly but surely to a wide array of manufacturing challenges, including robotics. Electronics and semiconductor manufacturers were among the first to embrace the technology and currently...

Working with a Systems Integrator Common Route for First-Time Robot Users.
May 1, 2001... Building a robotics system is much like putting together a jigsaw puzzle: If all the pieces don't fit together seamlessly, no picture will emerge, and the system won't work as you want it to. The robotics system puzzle can be put together...

Robotics Case Studies.
May 1, 2001... ASSEMBLY/INSPECTION United Parts in Dassel, Germany, manufactures 2.5 million gearboxes yearly, representing 50 percent of European production. In this particularly impressive factory, two Staubli RX90 robots are installed in one of the...

Applied Robotics Inc.
May 1, 2001... Applied Rob tics Inc.'s QuickSTOP robotic collision sensors can sense excessive rotational, angular and compressive forces and immediately trigger system shutdown, there y avoiding damage to expensive tooling The sensors' air-chamber design...

JR3 Inc.
May 1, 2001... JR3 Inc.'s 12 DOF force-and-torque sensors allow the robot to compensate for the effects of acceleration. The signal-conditioning electronics for forces, torques and the six axes of acceleration are integrated into the sensor body. The sensor...

Balluff.
May 1, 2001... Balluff has introduced its new M12 metal-jacket optical sensors to its Optocom line. The M12 optos are fully potted and IP67-rated to ensure reliable part-detection feedback on packaging machinery, machine tools, robots and assembly equipment....

Turck Inc.
May 1, 2001... Turck Inc. has introduced its new Stoneface inductive proximity sensors, which have a rugged front face made of an advanced thermoset plastic specifically developed for improved resistance to welding slag, scratching, pitting and abrasion in...

RoboticAccessories.
May 1, 2001... The Ultimatic Robotic Collision Sensor from RoboticAccessories provides protection and flexibility in robotic or pick-and-place workcells, and it offers the unique feature of automatic reset following rotational, angular and axial compliance....

Automatic Timing & Controls.
May 1, 2001... Automatic Timing & Controls has introduced the new 7810 Sensor Series to its product offering. The 7810 series is available in through-beam, polarized retro-reflective and diffuse reflective sensing modes. The light source is a red LED. These...

Hyde Park.
May 1, 2001... Hyde Park's Superprox Model SM300 series proximity sensors offer the combination of a 12mm housing and an extended sensing range of 50.8mm for the detection of virtually any material. At this distance, the sensor is out of harm's way, thus...

Scientific Technologies Inc.
May 1, 2001... The Automation Products Group of Scientific Technologies Inc. has introduced US10-Programmable Ultrasonic Sensors. These maintenance free sensors feature multiple mounting options, work on solids and liquids and provide a sensing range from 1...

SoftNoze USA Inc.
May 1, 2001... SoftNoze USA Inc. has released the innovative Clamp style Universal Bracket (CUB), for aiming and securely attaching photo electric and ultrasonic sensors. The SoftNoze family of CUB brackets accommodates virtually every industrial sensor model...

Banner Engineering Corp.
May 1, 2001... Banner Engineering Corp. has introduced VS2 Series Convergent-Mode Sensors, self-contained miniature sensors featuring an extremely low profile that enables them to fit and function in confined areas. The sensors use a visible red sensing beam...

Sensor Products Inc.
May 1, 2001... Sensor Products Inc. has introduced the Topaq Advanced Imaging System. Used in conjunction with Fuji Prescale/Pressurex stress indicating films, Topaq provides a unique perspective of the distribution and actual magnitude of stress between any...

PSI-Tronix.
May 1, 2001... PSI-Tronix, a division of Scientific Technologies Inc., has introduced the CE listed MB-10000 Series high-level output pressure transducer, a pressure transmitter in a modular-block design that's engineered to provide long life in semi...

Keyence Corp. of America.
May 1, 2001... Keyence Corp. of America's LX2 V10W Laser Thrubeam Sensor uses a parallel laser beam to detect minute differences in target size at distances to 300mm. It is ideal for applications that do not require expensive, high-accuracy measuring...

Omron.
May 1, 2001... The new E2EM long-distance proximity sensor from Omron features extended sensing distances 1.5 to 2 times longer than conventional proximity sensors. The E2EM also provides a superior operation indicator viewing range because its LED indicator...

BEI Duncan Electronics'.
May 1, 2001... BEI Duncan Electronics' 98E Series Sensor Elements provide durable and low-cost alternatives to fully packaged potentiometers, particularly when packaging constraints, size and operating efficiency are important considerations. By incorporating...

IFM Efector Inc.
May 1, 2001... IFM Efector Inc.'s OB fiber-optic sensor system is ideal for applications that are prone to mechanical damage or have limited mounting space. The compact amplifier housing can be positioned away from an application, and the glass fibers are...

SCARA ROBOT.
May 1, 2001... Bosch Automation Products has introduced two SCARA robots to North America: the turboscara SR6 and SR8. These new robots, which are 30 percent faster than previous models and have greater payloads, are used for assembly, soldering, gluing,...

MODULAR TOOLING.
May 1, 2001... Norgren Automotive has launched its new NorLok modular tooling system, a robotic end-of-arm tooling component using spline rods that adjust and lock onto mounting hardware, then bolt to a boom extrusion. The system offers the flexibility of...

ROBOTIC PALLETIZER.
May 1, 2001... Columbia/Okura's A-Series robotic palletizers provide flexible and precise product placement while working in spaces as small as 15 feet by 17 feet and with height restrictions of 9.5 feet. Capable of per forming a variety of tasks, from...

SIMULATION SOFTWARE.
May 1, 2001... Panasonic Factory Automation has introduced second-generation programming and simulation software (DTPS II) that enables fast, easy desktop 3-D simulation of two robots and 12 external axes. Using the same language as the actual Panasonic...

INTELLIGENT ASSIST DEVICE.
May 1, 2001... Cobotics Inc. has developed patented intelligent assist device technology used in a new class of ergonomic assist devices to provide productivity and safety improvements in material-handling applications. IADs can improve material-handling...

CONVEYOR FEEDBACK SYSTEM.
May 1, 2001... Advanced Research & Robotics Inc. has introduced a new low-cost conveyor position-feedback system that reduces conveyor maintenance and breakdown problems. The Unitrak can accurately sense a conveyor Within a given range, send relevant...

ARC-WELDING CELL.
May 1, 2001... The Lincoln Electric Co.'s Automation Division and FANUC Robotics North America have unveiled a new addition to the recently introduced line of compact pre-engineered robotic welding equipment, the System 20A. Combined with Lincoln's Power Wave...

LONG-STROKE DRILLS.
May 1, 2001... AutoDrill's Series 2000 and Series 2100 drill units are now available with strokes to 9 inches. Multi-wall drilling operations can now be done from one side to reduce capital equipment costs. In addition to drilling applications, long-stroke...

THERMAL SOLUTIONS GUIDE.
May 1, 2001... Lytron Inc. has introduced its revised "2001 Thermal Management Guide," which provides specifications, performance data and selection guidelines for Lytron's wide range of thermal management products. Each product section includes a product...

OVERHEAD WAFER TRANSPORT.
May 1, 2001... PRI Automation Inc. has introduced the AeroLoader III, for fab-wide interbay and intrabay overhead wafer transport. The AeroLoader III provides direct tool-to-tool wafer transport and is a critical component of the company's recently announced...

PRE-ENGINEERED ROBOTICS GEARS.
May 1, 2001... Rush Gears Inc. has published a catalog that features 30,000 sizes of pre-engineered gears for robotics, instrumentation, sensors, scanners and automated controls. Featured are many hard-to-find gears in various styles and non-corrosive...

TANDEM WELDING PROCESS.
May 1, 2001... Cloos Robotic Welding Inc. has developed a double-wire tandem welding process, which features two contact tips closely arranged in one welding torch. Each circuit is fed by its own independent welding power source, resulting in optimum control...

STANDARDIZED PLATFORMS.
May 1, 2001... SiCRON Inc. has begun shipping its Automation Series Machine Platform, which simplify machine design and building by incorporating the most common components and activities into a single unit SiCRON platforms allow equipment OEMs, systems...

WAFER-HANDLING ROBOTS.
May 1, 2001... Berkeley Process Control Inc. announced subsystems integrating single and dual-arm 200mm and 300mm wafer handling robots with Berkeley's network-based BXi motion and machine controller. These new wafer-handling subsystems are being offered to...

CONDUIT BALANCE SYSTEM.
May 1, 2001... Electron Beam Technologies Inc. has introduced the Easy Balance, a zero-gravity balancing device the provides a zero-gravity effect on the movement of QCC and QCC-HD conduits. This is particularly useful in robotic and automatic welding...

ODD-FORM ASSEMBLY.
May 1, 2001... CHAD Industries' new VisionTeach option and enhanced modularity of end-effector design have improved the flexibility and ease of programming of the ChadIQ odd-form assembly product line. Improvements in the manufacture and design of the ChadIQ...

POSITIONING SYSTEMS.
May 1, 2001... A modular line of stepping motor and AC synchronous servo drives with a uniform mechanical design and user interface for motion control is now available from Schneider Electric. The Telemecanique Bergerlahr TWIN LINE auto matic positioning...

LINEAR LIGHTING.
May 1, 2001... StockerYale Inc. has introduced a new line of industrial-grade, high-frequency, sealed fluorescent linear lighting fixtures. Designed for use in the inspection and machine-vision industries, these rugged lighting fixtures can withstand the...

A Q&A With Cognex's Bill Silver.
May 1, 2001... Bill Silver, chief technology officer and senior vice president of research and development for Cognx Inc., recently participated in a question-and-answer session with Robotics World, covering vision technology and its application to the...