Robotics World articles from November 2000

Robotics World archives from November 2000

Notes from the Robotics Front.
November 1, 2000... The engineering manager had that look people have when they are about to do something that experience has taught them requires their complete concentration. You know the look; they're talking to you but obviously thinking about something else....

RIA Elects New Directors, Re-elects President.
November 1, 2000... Five industry leaders have been elected to two-year terms on the Robotic Industries Association Board of Directors. The newly elected board members are Jim Degen, president, KUKA Robotics Corp.; Dean Elkins, vice president, U.S. sales...

RIA Releases Compensation and Benefits Survey.
November 1, 2000... A new survey compiling compensation and benefits information for the robotics industry has been released by the Robotics Industries Association. "This is the first time a compensation survey has been conducted exclusively for the U.S....

RIA to Oversee New Standards Committee.
November 1, 2000... The American National Standards Institute has appointed Robotic Industries Association as the secretariat for the newly approved Accredited Standards Committee T15, Intelligent Assist Devices. The T15 Committee was formed in August 1999 to...

Vision East Show Nearly Sold Out.
November 1, 2000... Leading machine-vision companies are quickly buying up exhibit space for the next Vision East show, slated for Oct. 30-Nov. l, 2001. Nearly 80 percent of available space has already been sold by the Automated Imaging Association, which sponsors...

RI/SME Seeks Volunteers for 2001 Student Robotic Challenge.
November 1, 2000... The Robotics International chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers is looking for volunteers to participate in the 2001 Student Robotic Challenge, which is slated for April 7-8 at Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh. This annual...

SME Offers Online Training.
November 1, 2000... The Society of Manufacturing Engineers now has courses designed exclusively for Internet access. The first two courses offered online are "Lean Manufacturing Fundamentals" and "Fundamentals of Planning Manufacturing Cells." SME's online...

RI/SME Robotics and Welding Videos Available.
November 1, 2000... Robotics International of the SME sells videotapes on numerous manufacturing subjects, including robotics and welding. Titles include "The Industrial Robot: An Introduction," "Robots in Assembly and Packaging' "Industrial Robot...

1999 RI/SME Technology Trends Report Excerpt.
November 1, 2000... Here is an excerpt from the RI/SME's 1999 Robotics Tech Trends report: "The misconception that robots are only affordable to large OEMs or companies with deep pockets is being dramatically altered with the increased availability of...

Motoman Relocates Detroit Regional Center.
November 1, 2000... Wixom, Mich. -- Motoman Inc. has relocated its Detroit Regional Center from Auburn Hills, Mich., to a new 17,000-square-foot facility in Wixom. The center continues to provide a full complement of services, including sales, application...

CRS Acquires Robocon Labor.
November 1, 2000... Burlington, Ontario -- CRS Robotics Corp. has agreed to purchase all outstanding shares of Robocon Labor und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H. of Vienna, Austria. CRS will pay $7.5 million Canadian for all of the issued and outstanding...

KUKA Awarded Q1 Status by Ford.
November 1, 2000... KUKA Roboter GmbH of Augsburg, Germany, has been presented with Ford Motor Co.'s "Q1" quality supplier award. KUKA is the first ever robot manufacturer to receive this award. The prize, consisting of a "Quality Award Letter," the Q1 flag...

Kawasaki Robotics Celebrates 10th Anniversary.
November 1, 2000... Wixom, Mich. -- Kawasaki Robotics (USA) Inc. is celebrating 10 years of serving customers in North America. From its headquarters in Wixom, Kawasaki provides customers with engineering, sales, training and customer service support. ...

ABB Opens First Global Repair Center.
November 1, 2000... Columbus, Ohio -- ABB Automation has opened the first of three global factory certified centers of excellence for industrial repair services. Beyond its existing factory repair facilities, ABB Automation is consolidating its testing,...

Adept Leases New Manufacturing Facility.
November 1, 2000... San Jose, Calif. -- Adept Technology Inc. has signed a new property lease to expand its manufacturing and research and development facilities in Livermore, Calif. The new facility will support Adept's growing business in the fiber-optic,...

Friendly Robotics Partners With Stiga.
November 1, 2000... Dallas -- Friendly Robotics, which makes home robotic products, and Stiga, Europe's largest lawnmower manufacturer, have signed a strategic alliance for the distribution of robotic lawnmowers in Europe. Stiga, under its brand name, will...

Neurosciences Institute Debuts Thinking Robot.
November 1, 2000... La Jolla, Calif. -- Researchers at The Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla have designed a machine that thinks. The machine's brain is called Darwin, after the 19th-century biologist who conceived the theory of natural selection. Under...

Robotic System Designs, Makes Other Robots.
November 1, 2000... Boston -- Two Brandeis University scientists have created a robotic system that for the first time can design and build other robots, according to a report in the British journal Nature. Hod Lipson and Jordan Pollack at the Massachusetts...

Detroit Chamber, NACFAM Release Agenda to Strengthen Manufacturing.
November 1, 2000... Detroit -- The National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing has unveiled a national campaign to strengthen the infrastructure supporting manufacturing. NACFAM recently completed a major examination of local, state and federal policies...

People.
November 1, 2000... Steve Barhorst has joined Motoman Inc. as vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Robotic Workspace Technologies Inc. recently announced three appointments: L. Knox Johnstone, vice president of international marketing and...

Motoman Inc.
November 1, 2000... Motoman Inc. has won one of nine Governor's Excellence in Workers' Compensation 2000 Awards in the state-fund category.

Tecnomors Corp.
November 1, 2000... Robotic gripper and accessory manufacturer Tecnomors Corp. has opened its first U.S. office as a partner in the Italian Technology Association. Sales, applications engineering and a after-sales service operations will be based in Sparta, N.J.,...

MEKAnize Robots Inc.
November 1, 2000... MEKAnize Robots Inc. has moved to a new home at 1420 Quail Lake Loop, Colorado Springs, Co 80906 (719-598-3555)

Adept Technology Inc.
November 1, 2000... Adept Technology Inc. has opened two new sales and service centers, in Charlotte, N.C., and Dallas. The new offices will support Adept's growing business in the fiber-optic, telecommunications and semiconductor industries. Adept also has...

ATI Industrial Automation.
November 1, 2000... ATI Industrial Automation has broken ground for a new 12,000-square-foot facility in the Pinnacle Park business park in Apex, N.C. Construction should be finished by mid-December.

Pyramid Solutions Inc.
November 1, 2000... Pyramid Solutions Inc. announced a relationship with HMS Fieldbus Systems AB to become North America's first AnyBus Solutions Provider, allowing it to represent and provide design and integration services for HMS's line of interchangeable...

Cognex Corp.
November 1, 2000... Cognex Corp. has entered into an OEM agreement with Samsung Tech-win, a manufacturer of capital equipment for the semiconductor, digital imaging, aviation, and defense industries.

Real-time Innovations.
November 1, 2000... Real-time Innovations has joined the Interface for Distributed Automation group. IDA members include Jetter, KUKA Roboter, Lenze, Phoenix Contact, Schneider Automation and SICK.

ABB has been named for the second year.
November 1, 2000... ABB has been named for the second year in a row to Industry Week's 100-Best Managed Companies list.

Integral Vision.
November 1, 2000... Integral Vision has appointed Ohio-based Lakewood Automation as the first authorized distributor for the company's Industrial Vision Controller.

ST Assembly Test Services.
November 1, 2000... ST Assembly Test Services has been granted a patent from both the U.S. and Singapore patent offices for a technical modification to its test handler's robotic arm.

World Wise Technologies Inc.
November 1, 2000... World Wise Technologies Inc. has relocated its head office and production facility from Markham, Ontario, to the high-tech robotic sector of Mississauga, Ontario. All operations will be run out of the new facility; including General Cybernetics...

Nematron Corp.
November 1, 2000... Nematron Corp. and Stochos Inc. have announced a partnership to provide integrated PC-based control, statistical process control, and manufacturing execution systems solutions to manufacturing and process industries.

The Lincoln Electric Co.'s.
November 1, 2000... The Lincoln Electric Co.'s Consumables Division is now certified to ISO 9001, an upgrade from its previous ISO 9002 certification.

MB Kit Systems Ltd.
November 1, 2000... MB Kit Systems Ltd. recently hosted an open house at its new building at 925 Glaser Parkway, Akron, Ohio.

Stocker Yale Inc.
November 1, 2000... Stocker Yale Inc. has been named as NASDAQ's most winning stock and a top 10 NASDAQ performer by CNNfn.

Intec, which develops application-oriented business software.
November 1, 2000... Intec, which develops application-oriented business software, has established a U.S. office in Cape Coral, Fla. (877-664-6833).

Galil Motion Control Inc.
November 1, 2000... Galil Motion Control Inc. has relocated its headquarters to 3750 Atherton Road, Rocklin, Calif. 95765 (916-626-0101).

Ifm efector.
November 1, 2000... Ifm efector has been awarded ISO 9002 certification.

FANUCRobotics North America Inc.
November 1, 2000... For the second year in a row, FANUCRobotics North America Inc. has been named a finalist in the Automotive News PACE Awards for its Toploader series of robots.

Trend-View Instrumentation Ltd.
November 1, 2000... The Sensing and Control Business of Honeywell has acquired U.K.-based Trend-View Instrumentation Ltd., a manufacturer of paperless recorders and data-acquisition products.

World Wise Technologies Inc.
November 1, 2000... World Wise Technologies Inc. plans to acquire a 60 percent equity interest of Tools Not Toys Technologies Inc. to introduce its Total Integrated Manufacturing Systems software ASP model to the market place.

Standard Automotive Corp.
November 1, 2000... Standard Automotive Corp.'s Critical Components Divisions has completed the acquisition of Providence Group Inc., which specializes in the design, assembly and fabrication of advanced robotics and other remotely operated systems for use in...

TriTec Power Systems Ltd.
November 1, 2000... TriTec Power Systems Ltd., which now operates as TriBotics Systems and manufactures and distributes industrial automation and robotic equipment, plans to acquire all of the shares of ACI Alloy & Copper International Inc.

Newport Corp.
November 1, 2000... Newport Corp. plans to hire additional engineers and technicians for its recently acquired Advanced Automation Systems Group, which designs and manufactures automation systems that use robotics, lasers, machine vision and material-handling...

Walsh Group's Walsh Automation Inc.
November 1, 2000... Invensys plc has acquired the assets of the Walsh Group's Walsh Automation Inc. and Validation Technologies Inc. subsidiaries which will operate s part of Invensys' newly formed Software Systems Division.

Illinois Tool Works Welding Products.
November 1, 2000... Illinois Tool Works Welding Products has acquired Jetline Engineering, a mechanized arc welding company in Irvine, Calif.

Axsys Technologies Inc.
November 1, 2000... Axsys Technologies Inc. plans to acquire Automation Engineering Inc., a supplier of automation tools and controls to the fiber-optic components market. The company also has formed the Axsys Fiber Automation Division in Pittsburgh, headed by...

Base Ten Systems Inc.
November 1, 2000... Base Ten Systems Inc. has sold its MES business, including the products BASE10 ME, CS and FS, to ABB Automation Inc.

PRI Automation Inc.
November 1, 2000... PRI Automation Inc. has completed the acquisition of Commotion Technology Inc., a developer of motion control software for robotic devices. Commotion will receive 120,000 shares of PRI Automation stock, placing the value of the deal at just...

CyberOptics Corp.
November 1, 2000... CyberOptics Corp. has acquired privately held Imagenation Corp., a designer and manufacturer of machine-vision components and subsystems for industrial automation, semiconductor and medical applications.

Rockwell Automation.
November 1, 2000... Rockwell Automation has acquired the batch software and services business of Phoenix-based Sequencia Corp.

Control.com Inc.
November 1, 2000... Control.com Inc. has made available a new feature: a public archive of contributed PLC programming examples. The archive is available for uploading and downloading PLC program files in PDF format at www.PLCarchive.org. Each downloadable file...

Lincoln Electric Co.
November 1, 2000... Lincoln Electric Co. recently updated its website (www.lincolnelectric.com) to improve the Tech Topics section, which is divided into five sections: Processes and Theory, How-To Welding Tips, Application Stories, Frequently Asked Questions and...

Banner Engineering Corp.
November 1, 2000... Banner Engineering Corp. has launched buybanneronline.com, a new e-comerce company offering worldwide access to the company's line of sensing devices, machine-safety products and accessories.

SAS Automation Ltd.
November 1, 2000... SAS Automation Ltd., which makes modular robotic end-of-arm tooling, has named three new sales agencies: The Turner Group (206-463-3340) for Wahsington, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Mexico, British...

DeSta-Co Industries.
November 1, 2000... In an exclusive licensing agreement, DeSta-Co Industries will manufacture and sell Lamb Technicon's patented tooling slides and power pivots.

Emerson & Cuming.
November 1, 2000... Emerson & Cuming has named K.R. Anderson of Santa Clara, Calif, to distribute the company's adhesives, encapsulants and coatings.

ESC Medical Systems.
November 1, 2000... ESC Medical Systems has introduced the AcuBlade laser system, which provides robotic capabilities for microsurgery....

Computer Motion Inc.
November 1, 2000... Computer Motion Inc. announced that Dr. Bertrand Guillonneau used the company's ZEUS Robotic Surgical System to perform the world's first endoscopic nephrectomy (kidney removal) using robotic assistance at L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris in...

Integrated Surgical Systems Inc.
November 1, 2000... Integrated Surgical Systems Inc. announced that the first two Total Hip Arthroplasty procedures were performed at the Osaka University Hospital in Japan, marking the beginning of the clinical studies for the ROBODOG Surgical Assistant System.

Z-KAT Inc.
November 1, 2000... Z-KAT Inc., an image-guided surgical technology firm, has acquired the Image Guided Surgery business from Marconi Medical Systems. Z-KAT develops software, intelligent instrumentation and human-interactive robotic technologies to enable...

U.N. Survey Reports Boom in Robot Investment.
November 1, 2000... (Editor's Note: The following report pro vided by the International Federation of Robotics gives potential, first-time and current users of robotics a concise overview of the worldwide robotics industry. For more information on the full...

The Benefits of Flexible Automation.
November 1, 2000... If your manufacturing facility is still using fixed automation or manual labor for a process that lends itself to robotic automation, you're probably not fully aware of the benefits that robotics brings to the shop floor. Auto makers and...

Justifying the Use of Robotics.
November 1, 2000... The justification for the use of robotics in your manufacturing plant is closely tied to the benefits of flexible automation, the ability of flexible automation to do the job, return on investment and long-term strategic goals. Systems...

Taking the First Step.
November 1, 2000... Once you've decided that robotics might be a good fit for your company, it's time to take the first step. Many large companies that already use robotics have in-house engineering departments that can design and build their own robotics systems....

Following Through: What Happens During System Installation and After.
November 1, 2000... Once you've made the commitment to install a robotics system and chosen your integrator, you need to know what your responsibilities are to make your installation a successful one. You also need to know what to expect from your integrator and...

CUSTOM CABLE HARNESSES.
November 1, 2000... Custom engineered and fabricated cable harnesses for a wide range of automation requirements, including harsh manufacturing environments, have been introduced by Aved Electronics Inc. The harnesses are manufactured to customer specifications...

CORRUGATED TUBING.
November 1, 2000... A new line of flexible corrugated tubing that bends without restriction for concealing and protecting hose, tubing and cabling or can be slit to allow easy installation over existing wiring is being introduced by Nelco Products Inc. Nelco's...

CABLES/CONNECTORS.
November 1, 2000... C&M Corp. has introduced the new FT4-certified Severe Duty Motor Power Cables for harsh environments. These cables can withstand exposure to chemicals, oils, abrasion and extreme temperatures. Suitable for flexing applications, the cables can...

FLAT CABLES.
November 1, 2000... Confined spaces are serious obstacles in putting complex round cables to work, especially when high-flex performance is required. Canadian cable maker elocab has launched a line of tailor-made band cables for continuous-flex applications....

ROBOTICS CABLE.
November 1, 2000... Olflex Wire and Gable offers the Olfex Robot 900, a multiconductor cable that can bend and twist for several million cycles in long-term torsional stress applications. The cable's smooth-core insulation and slip agents ensure consistent...

LVDS CABLES.
November 1, 2000... Intercon 1 earlier this year began shipping its new 89802 InterFlex series LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) Twisted Pair cable, which is engineered to satisfy all of the requirements of LVDS, to provide working flexibility that exceeds...

CIRCUIT CONNECTORS.
November 1, 2000... Multi-Contact's industrial robotic cable interconnections use Multilam technology for superior performance and reliability. From design to manufacturing, MC connectors are produced to satisfy the highest industry standards and offer both...

CIRCULAR CONNECTORS.
November 1, 2000... Harting Inc. of North America offers a new circular industrial/electrical connector series, the Han R23. These connectors can be assembled from a wide range of inserts and housings to meet different application requirements. The Han R23 series...

CABLE CARRIER.
November 1, 2000... Igus Inc. earlier this year introduced the E-Z Triflex cable carrier, which is ideal for robotic applications and other space-restricted, multiple-axis applications. The Triflex line was designed for one-, two- or three-axis movement of...

ROBOTIC SIMULATION SOFTWARE.
November 1, 2000... Flow Software Technologies has released the latest version of its robotics simulation and offline programming software, Workspace 5, with several new features. The addition of Visual Basic for Applications provides customization that existing...

SOLIDWORKS ROBOTICS INTERFACE.
November 1, 2000... Compucraft Ltd. of Israel has released RobotWorks, a robotics interface for SolidWorks. RobotWorks is a CNC-style program for offline programming of industrial robots. Aimed at medium and small companies, RobotWorks gives them power and...

WORKCELL SIMULATION SOFTWARE.
November 1, 2000... Adept Technology's CimStation Robotics software addresses the difficulties involved in implementing robots to automate a manufacturing process. CimStation Robotics enables manufacturers to quickly and easily design, simulate and offline program...

SIMULATION SOFTWARE.
November 1, 2000... World Wise Technologies Inc.'s subsidiary, General Cybernetics Inc., has released its Internet-ready ROBCON2000 online/offline control and simulation software platform operating on Microsoft Windows 2000 to take advantage of the Connectivity of...

OFFLINE TEACHING SYSTEM.
November 1, 2000... Motoman's ROTSY (Robot Offline Teaching System of Yaskawa) programming software makes robotic application development simple and reduces its associated costs by implementing robot simulation on a PC. ROTSY users can model a proposed robot cell...

MODELING, CONTROL SOFTWARE.
November 1, 2000... Cimetrix Inc. has ported CODE, its machine modeling and control software package, to RTX, VenturCom's real-time enabling technology for Microsoft Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows NT Embedded 4.0. Cimetrix has also joined the VenturCom...

DIGITAL FACTORY SOFTWARE.
November 1, 2000... Tecnomatix' Digital Factory provides all the information and tools needed to design, plan, simulate and optimize a complete factory, a production line, a cell or just a single operation. Every level of detail, from a schematic top-down view of...

CLUSTER TOOL SIMULATION.
November 1, 2000... Brooks Automation Inc.'s AutoSimulations Division offers ClusterSim, a new 3-D animated simulation package for modeling cluster tools in semiconductor manufacturing. ClusterSim provides a graphically and statistically accurate simulation model...