Robotics World articles from May 2003

Robotics World archives from May 2003

Lincoln Electric Co. (Mergers/Acquisitions/Agreements).
May 1, 2003... Lincoln Electric Co. has signed a partnership agreement with Genesis Systems Group to represent the company's Platformation brand of products, including robotic positioners and platforms, which will be incorporated into arc-welding cells.

Cognex. (Mergers/Acquisitions/Agreements).
May 1, 2003... Cognex has acquired the wafer-identification business of Siemens Dematic.

BTU International. (Mergers/Acquisitions/Agreements).
May 1, 2003... BTU International has purchased the assets of Sagarus Robotics Corp.

ROFIN-SINAR Technologies and FANUC. (Mergers/Acquisitions/Agreements).
May 1, 2003... ROFIN-SINAR Technologies and FANUC have signed an agreement in which FANUC will manufacture and sell ROFIN's diode-pumped lasers used for materials processing. FANUC will use its own diode modules and sell the products, but only in combination...

Avalon Vision Systems. (Mergers/Acquisitions/Agreements).
May 1, 2003... Avalon Vision Systems has formed a strategic alliance with Woodrell Project Management in which WPM will provide sales and field service operations for Avalon's products in southern California, Utah and other selected areas.

Universal Ice Blast. (Mergers/Acquisitions/Agreements).
May 1, 2003... Universal Ice Blast has entered into an arrangement with Ford's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Group and Metaldyne to perform tests on transmission parts from Ford's Van Dyke plant. Metaldyne will provide infrastructure and...

ATS Automation Tooling Systems. (Orders).
May 1, 2003... ATS Automation Tooling Systems has been awarded contracts valued at $9 million for automated manufacturing systems from two tier-one automotive customers. The systems will include ATS Superbot material-handling robots and component feeders.

Factory Automation Systems. (Orders).
May 1, 2003... Factory Automation Systems has been awarded a contract by General Motors to replace older-generation robots with more than 170 new FANUC robots at the GM Assembly Plant in Doraville, Ga.

Ford. (Orders).
May 1, 2003... Ford has ordered two ABB/Braintech Vision Guided Robotics systems for the decking of integrated air/fuel manifolds on engine blocks. Delphi also has ordered a VGR system for the picking and assembly of axle brake parts.

BMW. (Orders).
May 1, 2003... BMW has selected Perceptron's AutoGauge FMS robot-based flexible measurement system for its new model launch.

Aethon. (Quick Takes).
May 1, 2003... Aethon has closed a $3 million financing round to expand its robotic delivery system for hospitals.

Automated Cells & Equipment. (Quick Takes).
May 1, 2003... Automated Cells & Equipment has captured FANUC Robotics' Sales Leadership Award for the Northeast Region for 2002, an honor it has won four out of the last five years.

Do It Yourself Network. (Quick Takes).
May 1, 2003... Do It Yourself Network's new show, "Robot Rivals," debuted April 18. The show features college students building robots to perform a prescribed task. A new episode airs every Friday night, with the finals airing July 4 and July 11.

Robotic Industries Association. (People).
May 1, 2003... Jim Adams, previously with SME, has joined the Robotic Industries Association as marketing manager.

Calmont Wire & Cable. (People).
May 1, 2003... Paul Overbaugh has been named director of product/process improvement for Calmont Wire & Cable.

Lincoln Electric Co. (People).
May 1, 2003... Steven Sumner has been appointed global product manager for Lincoln Electric Co.

Alvey Systems. (People).
May 1, 2003... Alvey Systems has appointed Kevin Kozuszek as manager of marketing communications for FKI Logistex Alvey Systems and White Systems.

iRobot Corp. (People).
May 1, 2003... Gregory White has been named executive vice president and general manager of iRobot Corp.

North American robot orders up 6% in 2002. (RIA Update).
May 1, 2003... North American manufacturing companies ordered 10,573 robots valued at $811 million from North American-based robotics suppliers in 2002, an increase of 6 percent in units and 5 percent in revenue from 2001, according to new figures released by...

Register online for Robots & Vision Show. (RIA Update).
May 1, 2003... The International ROBOTS & VISION SHOW, June 3-5, in Rosemont, Ill., is North America's leading showcase of robotics and machine-vision technology. Some 200 companies will exhibit the world's leading robotics and machine-vision products. You...

Robot central: new CD-ROM coming soon. (RIA Update).
May 1, 2003... A new CD-ROM packed with information about robots in a variety of industry and application settings is now being developed. It includes video, searchable case studies, cost justification, safety resources and more. Look for this new resource at...

Ask the Experts: A pipeline between customers and suppliers. (RIA Update).
May 1, 2003... If you are looking for answers to your robotics questions or want to join a network of leading suppliers that are helping to solve customer problems, now is the time to participate in the Robotics Online "Ask the Experts" forum. Find out how...

Free Electronic Newsletter subscriptions. (RIA Update).
May 1, 2003... The Robotics ONLINE ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER and the Machine Vision Online Electronic Newsletter provide you with the latest case studies, technical papers, in-depth articles, industry news and information about new products in the robotics and...

Optimism still strong regarding state of the robotics industry. (Robotics World's 2003 Industry Survey).
May 1, 2003... Editor's Note: The 2003 Robotics World Industry Survey was mailed with the January/February issue to 23,000 subscribers. Approximately 400 readers responded, for a response rate of 1.75 percent. The majority of respondents were end users (60...

End-effector roundup.
May 1, 2003... Editor's Note: Direct-Line Products, Schunk Inc. and >SAS Bev Morris Jim Andraitis When it comes to maximizing productivity, its hard to deny that robots are the way of the future. They are more dependable than human labor, more...

Welding. (Robotics Case Studies).
May 1, 2003... That battery-run bunny's ability to keep working and working pales when compared with the longevity of several Motoman welding robots at Automated Welding Services Inc. in Spring Lake, Mich. The robots have been running two or three shifts of...

Vision inspection. (Robotics Case Studies).
May 1, 2003... On conventional assembly lines, parts were mass-produced and large production lots required extensive setup and configuration. Large lots aren't always the case today, particularly in the automotive industry. This new manufacturing standard...

Material handling. (Robotics Case Studies).
May 1, 2003... At Coko's production site in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, porthole-shaped doors for front-loading washing machines from BSH are manufactured in a fully automated production process. In cooperation with Battenfeld, Coko developed a fully automated...

Crash-protection device. (Component Spotlight: Safety Products).
May 1, 2003... Robotic Accessories' patented Ultimatic line of crash-protection devices offers sensitivity-adjustable robotic safety, with protection that software-based solutions alone cannot offer. The Ultimatic is a proven solution, with more than 5,000...

Light curtains. (Component Spotlight: Safety Products).
May 1, 2003... Smartscan Inc. now offers a safety light curtain specifically designed to protect conveyor openings in robotic palletizing and packaging applications. Smartscan's 5000 series Self-Muting Light Curtains incorporate onboard mute-initiating...

Interlocks. (Component Spotlight: Safety Products).
May 1, 2003... SICK Inc. has added more than 20 new safety interlocks to its product line, with solutions ranging from interlocks for less demanding environments to extremely robust devices for the harshest of operating conditions. SICK's portfolio of safety...

Safety solenoid switch. (Component Spotlight: Safety Products).
May 1, 2003... In combination with electronic safety relays, programmable safety systems and the SafetyBUS open bus system, Pilz Automation Safety's new PSEN 2.1-10 non-contact safety solenoid switch helps provide a complete industrial safety solution is...

Partition systems. (Component Spotlight: Safety Products).
May 1, 2003... WireCrafters offers woven-wire partition systems that restrict access to robotic workcells. The systems set up quickly, using standard hand tools, and the modular design makes future layout changes easy. Mounting hardware and floor anchors are...

Interlock switch. (Component Spotlight: Safety Products).
May 1, 2003... The T2007 series miniature safety interlock switch from Scientific Technologies is now available with more capabilities and optional features to satisfy a broader range of applications. The T2007 is ideal for smaller machines with space...

Machine-guard framing. (Component Spotlight: Safety Products).
May 1, 2003... Among 80/20 Inc.'s safety product offerings is modular T-slotted aluminum framing for machine-guarding applications. The framing saves assembly time, is easily reconfigured, is constructed using simple hand tools and involves less engineering...

Robotics industry showcases new products at premier event. (Robotics & Vision Show Preview).
May 1, 2003... The International Robots & Vision Show, which takes place every two years under the sponsorship of the Robotic Industries Association and the Automated Imaging Association, returns to the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.,...

>SAS< Automation. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Largest supplier of EOAT & gripper systems for all makes of robots. Modular systems reduce robot wear: get a grip! -- components for heavyweight applications, GRIP ITI -- EOAT for lightweight applications, nip it! -- sprue flippers. Custom...

Robotic Rotary Joint. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... 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...

Bosch Rexroth Corp. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Greater flexibility and easier installation are key benefits of the new turbo scarar[TM] SRplus robots from Bosch Rexroth Corporation. The robot series includes an absolute encoder system, Windows[R]-based programming, and new, economical...

EPSON Robots. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... EPSON Robots EZ Modules are a line of high quality, easy to assemble modular axes that can be configured as one, two, three or four axis mechanisms. They run on either of EPSON's powerful PC-based controllers -- the RC420 Controller or the...

LAPP USA. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... OLFLEX[R] AUTO -X, a flexible, oil and UV resistant multi-conductor cable is designed for continuous flexing applications. It can withstand temperatures of up to 90[degrees]C. AUTO-X has worldwide approvals including UL Type TC, CSA AWM, and...

Northrop Grumman Poly-Scientific. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Poly-Scientific slip rings are idea for use in robotic applications that require power and data to be transmitted from a stationary unit to a rotating device. They offer unrestrained, continuous rotation. The AC6098 has a 4" through-bore design...

Schmalz Inc. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... NEW Spring Plungers type FSTI from Schmalz. Schmalz has developed a new series of short-stroke spring plungers "FSTI" with internal compensation springs for vacuum applications. The overall height and the weight of the plungers have been...

SCHUNK, Inc. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... SCHUNK, Inc. has introduced a complete new series 3-finger concentric gripper -- PZN-plus. The "Plus stands for even higher load capacities, longer finger capability and better efficiency. The gripper is available in 5 body sizes from 64mm to...

SICK, Inc. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... A New Level of Area Safeguarding. The New Flexible, Modular, Low Maintenance S3000 Safety Laser Scanner. Introducing the revolutionary 53000 -- SICK's next-generation proximity laser scanner for horizontal and vertical safeguarding in...

StockerYale Inc. (Robotics World Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Imagelite[TM] Model 21 DC Fiber Optic Illuminator. StockerYale's Model 21 DC, 150 watt halogen illuminator, has been designed specifically as a cost-effective, high-quality DC regulated light source for use in various machine vision...