Robotics World articles from May 2005

Robotics World archives from May 2005

The eyes have it: why today's machine vision systems are easier, better, cheaper.(Feature Story)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2005... Machine vision is about giving flexible automation and robotic systems the gift of sight--or something like it. Computer cameras and sensors collect digital images, analyze them, and make decisions based on what they "see." Most vision-guided...

Lockheed Martin: vision-guided robots assist in weapon system assembly.(Robotics Case Studies)
May 1, 2005... Lockheed Martin produces and installs the AEGIS weapons system currently installed on 67 U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers. Plans are underway to install the system on another 22 U.S. destroyers. Foreign allies also use the system. Since...

Top finishing experts to share tricks of the trade at Robotic Grinding, Deburring & Finishing Workshop.(ria UPDATE)
May 1, 2005... A new case study has been added to the Workshop from Tec Automation called: "Combining Robotic Deburring with Machine Tending." Actual application and cost justification data from before and after the automation is provided. RIA is also pleased...

International Robots & Vision Show to emphasize hot button issues.(ria UPDATE)
May 1, 2005... Online Agenda Now Available A preliminary online agenda for the 2005 International Robots & Vision Show has been posted at the association's Web site. The agenda includes: MONDAY, SEPT. 26: 1) Getting Started with Machine Vision...

Maintaining the course: 30 years of championing industry.(ria UPDATE)
May 1, 2005... From the development of those sticky-reminder Post-It Notes, bright highly-reflective safety paint, and those now familiar barcodes; to the microprocessor, catalytic converter, and the Robotic Industries Association... 1974 contained some...

RIA announces production for 2005-06 Robotics Industry Directory.(ria UPDATE)
May 1, 2005... RIA's printed "bible" of the industry will be published this Summer and make its official debut at the International Robots & Vision Show (IRVS), Sept. 27-29, 2005 in Rosemont (Chicago), Ill. Members will benefit by inclusion in the directory...

Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards nominations open through June.(ria UPDATE)
May 1, 2005... Nominations are still being accepted for the 2005 Engelberger Robotics Awards that will be presented at this fairs 36th International Symposium in Tokyo. The award, named after the founding force behind industrial robotics, Joseph F....

RIA's springtime in-house safety training for less.(ria UPDATE)
May 1, 2005... RIA is offering its in-house training with special springtime incentives. Enjoy $200 daily savings, plus get the RIA video, "Industrial Robot Safety Training," free... a $125 value. Non-members can receive a copy for only $87.50, a 50% savings...

RIA 5 Free Robotics Resources now available.(ria UPDATE)
May 1, 2005... RIA is offering free resources filled with practical, real-world solutions that can benefit your company today. From general details on leading robotics companies, products, and applications to expert advice on your specific needs, you can get...

Association events.(ria UPDATE)(Calendar)
May 1, 2005... Robotic Grinding, Deburring & Finishing Workshop June 15-16 Four Points Sheraton/3M CAM Center St. Paul, Minn. International Robots & Vision Show and Conference Sept. 27-29 Donald El Stephens Convention Center Rosemont (Chicago), Ill. ...

Lower cost, greater flexibility, smaller size: robots--the CNC machine tool alternative.(Feature Story)
May 1, 2005... Robots are poised to take away a significant portion of the CNC machine tool market. Emerging technology is making it possible for robot systems to perform many diverse manufacturing processes--such as complex cutting and material removal,...

A guide to maintaining offline motor drives: keeping motor drives at the ready eases retrofit of an existing processing line and reactivation of a mothballed line.(MOTION control)
May 1, 2005... With manufacturing orders in the United States rising and the economy showing indicators of a new cycle of growth, demand for all types of manufactured goods is following suit. Many processors forced to mothball production lines to weather the...

Cognex high-resolution sensor.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... Cognex announces the In-sight 5403 vision sensor, which captures full-frame, 1600 x 1200 images at up to 15 frames per second. The hi-res 5403 will help you in three ways: First, at the same working distance, the 5403 provides a larger field of...

SICK 3D smart camera.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... SICK introduces its 3D smart camera, the IVC-3D, which combines the flexibility of smart cameras and the power of high-speed 3D in a robust industrial package. The IVC-3D is a smart camera that uses a PC or laptop for set-up only and from then...

Cooke Corp. offers PixelFlyQE.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... The PixelFlyQE by Cooke Corp. offers improved quantum efficiency with higher pixel resolution of 1390 x 1024. Designed to meet the most demanding scientific/medical inspection and machine vision applications, this 12-bit super-compact camera...

Connectivity by Pleora.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... Pleora Technologies announces its iPORT PT 1000-CL IP Engine, which delivers ultra-efficient connectivity between camera link cameras and PCs over standard Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) links or LANs. Using hardwired, purpose-built technology, the...

Tattile: no frame grabber needed.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... Tattile is rolling out its TAG cameras, which are uniquely designed as Gigabit Ethernet cameras. The full line of 13 cameras, up to 1600 x 1200 resolution, are the first Gigabit Ethernet cameras with in-camera, image pre-processing. TAG...

UV fixed lenses by Edmund Optics.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... UV imaging is an ideal solution for surface inspection of circuits and soldering conditions, manufacturing and quality control of semiconductor materials and inspection of fiber optics, oil contamination and leakage. Other ultraviolet...

Megapixel camera by Adimec.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... The MX12D is Adimec's newest high-performance megapixel camera. It features superior dynamic range, 14-bit processing and proven technology. This is the ideal camera for medical systems that require industry-leading megapixel technology or for...

Scan camera by Basler Vision.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... Basler Vision Components (BaslerVC) announces a new 3-line x 4080 pixel color line scan camera. The Basler L304kc offers high resolution coupled with a high line rate and excellent image quality. Specifications are a 3 line x 4080 pixel...

Jai compact camera.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... JAI PULNiX's CV-M71 compact half-inch digital progressive scan RGB color machine vision camera, an indirect replacement of the popular CV-M70, features all of the attributes that made that model so successful, with the addition of an improved...

Versatile sensors by Carlo Gavazzi.(SPOTLIGHT on vision products)
May 1, 2005... Carlo Gavazzi Inc. has expanded the third generation of its TRIPLESHIELD capacitive sensors to include a thin-profile rectangular housing. The new housing design of the CD46 incorporates many of the new features and functions of its...

Cognex acquires DVT.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... Cognex Corp. announced May 9 that it has acquired DVT Corp., a privately-held company based in Duluth, Ga. Cognex purchased all of the outstanding shares of DVT for about $115 million. Cognex plans to maintain operations at DVT's current...

Staubli increases robot manufacturing capabilities.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... Following Staubli's successful acquisition of Bosch Rexroth's robot activity in December 2004, production of the SCARA robot arms has now been transferred to Staubli's manufacturing base in Faverges, Haute-Savoie, France. This is the...

FANUC and Robotic Production Technology announce agreement.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... FANUC Robotics America and Robotic Production Technology (RPT) jointly announce the signing of a new five-year agreement wherein RPT is re-appointed as FANUC Robotics' exclusive distributor/market channel for all water-jet and nonmetallic...

Sales rise 165 percent.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... EPSON Robots has announced record North American sales and unit shipments for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. Net sales increased 165 percent over the previous fiscal year and net robot shipments yielded similar results. In other...

New CEO at Comau Pico.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... John Newman has been appointed as the new president and CEO at Comau Pico. Newman has held various positions of increasing responsibility within the engineering, program management and operations areas in important engineering and industrial...

Motoman makes three new appointments.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... Motoman Inc. recently announced that Glenn Jackson has assumed the role of Vice President of Global Accounts. He will be responsible for coordinating activities on a global basis with Automotive OEMs and other specific global customers. His...

ABB group appoints new chief technology officer.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... ABB has announced that Peter Terwiesch will become the group's new chief technology officer in July. Terwiesch is currently head of technology of Automation Technologies division--one of the group's two core businesses. He also heads the...

KUKA Robotics appoints Joseph Campbell.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, announced the appointment of Joseph Campbell as director of strategic alliances for North America. His responsibilities will include the company's Key Technology...

NVision appoints Giles Gaskell.(industry news)
May 1, 2005... NVision, a leading supplier of laser scanners used for reverse engineering and quality control, has announced the appointment of Giles Gaskell as director of business development. In this new position, Gaskell will be responsible for expanding...

Robot files CD: case studies, cost justification and safety sections, and more.(Robotics World Showcase)
May 1, 2005... Robot Files CD-ROM includes nearly 100 case studies about robot system installations and a search interface all by industry, application and key word. Contains a Web-enabled guide to systems integrators, and extensive information on safety and...

Save time with 3D motor downloads.(Robotics World Showcase)
May 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...

The Fredricks Company.(Robotics World Showcase)
May 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....

JR3 force-torque sensors & receiver/processors.(Robotics World Showcase)
May 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...

ABIROB[R] from ABICOR Binzel USA.(Robotics World Showcase)
May 1, 2005... 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)
May 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...