Robotics World articles from September 2001

Robotics World archives from September 2001

Seiko Instruments Sells Robot Operations to Seiko Epson, Epson America.
September 1, 2001... Torrance, Calif. -- Seiko Instruments USA has sold its Factory Automation Division to Seiko Epson Corp. and its affiliate, Epson America Inc. The transfer of operations is scheduled for Sept. 4. "We have developed a long-standing...

Adept Acquires CHAD Industries.
September 1, 2001... San Jose, Calif--Adept Technology Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held CHAD Industries Inc., located in Orange, Calif., in exchange for a combination of equity and cash to be paid out over three years. Completion of...

Hyundai Enters NA Market; Partners with RWT.
September 1, 2001... Fort Myers, Fla. -- With its recent entry into the North American robotics market, Hyundai Heavy Industries has partnered with Robotic Workspace Technologies. Hyundai's robot manipulator will be combined with RWT's Universal Robot...

Berkeley Process Control Inc.
September 1, 2001... Berkeley Process Control Inc. has been awarded a second U.S. Patent for the company's Touch Calibration System for Wafer Transfer Robot(s).

Pilz Automation Safety.
September 1, 2001... Pilz Automation Safety has moved into its newly constructed headquarters in Canton, Mich. The facility will house safety engineering services, sales, training and warehousing operations.

Genesis Systems Group.
September 1, 2001... Genesis Systems Group has been awarded a U.S. patent on the Versa DST, a dual-station, swing-table robotic welding/cutting workcell, based on the design of the cell's exchange axis.

Rockwell International Corp.
September 1, 2001... Rockwell International Corp. is now Rockwell Automation, a stand-alone company focused on meeting the technology and service needs of manufacturing companies worldwide. This change reflects Rockwell Automation's focus on automation and its...

PRI Automation Inc.
September 1, 2001... PRI Automation Inc. has received SEMI E78 certification for its integrated front-ends and has passed the necessary tests to be SEMI E78 compliant. PRI also has taken the first steps in implementing the Demand Flow Technology, a trademark of...

Brooks Automation Inc.
September 1, 2001... Brooks Automation Inc. has shipped its 10,000th robot, to Lam Research Corp., a supplier of plasma (dry) etch, fully integrated polishing and cleaning and post-CMP cleaner systems used in the fabrication of integrated circuits.

CENiX Inc.
September 1, 2001... CENiX Inc. has opened its 43,600-square-foot automated assembly, development and research facility in Allentown, Pa. The facility, which will also serve as the company's headquarters, was designed to meet the environmental and infrastructure...

Robotic Workspace Technologies.
September 1, 2001... Robotic Workspace Technologies has become a strategic partner with Ford Motor Co.

Adept Technology.
September 1, 2001... Adept Technology's HexSight PC Vision software will now be sold through Adept Preferred Vision Integrators.

Genesis Systems Group.
September 1, 2001... Genesis Systems Group now offers a robotics financing program through Wells Fargo equipment-leasing programs.

Motoman Inc.
September 1, 2001... Motoman Inc. hosted more than 200 customers June 21 at an open house for its new Detroit Regional Center in Wixom, Mich.

Siemens.
September 1, 2001... Siemens has completed its acquisition of Mannesmann Dematic and its subsidiary Rapistan Systems, and formed a new company, Siemens Dematic, a supplier of material-handling and logistics automation systems.

Brooks Automation Inc.
September 1, 2001... Brooks Automation Inc. has acquired Progressive Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of high-precision air-flow and pressure-control systems for semiconductor processing. The transaction is valued at $31.5 million. PTI will become a business unit...

GE Fanuc Automation North America Inc.
September 1, 2001... GE Fanuc Automation North America Inc. plans to acquire VMIC, a manufacturer of embedded single-board computers, high-performance communications and data acquisition and control products.

PRI Automation Inc.
September 1, 2001... PRI Automation Inc. has acquired WaferState Controls Inc., an advanced process control consulting and services firm.

ATI Industrial Automation.
September 1, 2001... For the second consecutive year, ATI Industrial Automation has been named one of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in North Carolina.... Engineered Systems Inc. has achieved 2000 Platinum ABB System Integrator status for channel...

OMNITECH Engineering & Manufacturing Inc.
September 1, 2001... OMNITECH Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. has been selected to the "Fantastic 50," a list of top performing Virginia companies as awarded by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Last October, OMNITECH was named one of the fastest-growing companies...

Asyst Technologies Inc.
September 1, 2001... Asyst Technologies Inc. was recognized with a 2000 Supplier Excellence Award from Texas Instruments, for its products and support in facilitating upgrade programs at three of TI's fabs.

Duane Miller.
September 1, 2001... Duane Miller, manager of the Welding Technology Center at The Lincoln Electric Co., has received the 2001 Higgins Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction, and Dennis Klingman, manager of technical training at Lincoln has...

Atmel Corp.
September 1, 2001... Atmel Corp. has recognized Asyst Technologies Inc. with an Outstanding Service Award for its service in the areas of automated material-handling systems and robotic SMIF technology implementation at Atmel's facilities.

Jack Ghiselli.
September 1, 2001... Jack Ghiselli, president of GW Associates (recently acquired by Asyst Technologies), has received the Karel Urbanek Memorial Award in recognition of his contributions to the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International Standards program....

Molex Inc.
September 1, 2001... Molex Inc. has added a Custom Header feature to its website at www.molex.com/customheader that allows engineers to design online. Users can customize Molex KK, C-Grid and Milli- Grid header types, then the site creates a preliminary drawing and...

Panasonic Vision Systems Group/OEM.
September 1, 2001... Panasonic Vision Systems Group/OEM (www.panasonic.com/vs) is providing its dealers and distributors with an online service called Panasonic Business Link to give them quick information on order status, new and current products, promotions and...

People.
September 1, 2001... Glenn Jackson has been named vice president of Motoman Inc.'s Advanced Systems Group.... Babak Habibi has been promoted to president, COO and a director of Braintech Inc. and its subsidiary, Brainware Systems Inc. James Hoffmaster has been...

Applied Robotics, Inc.
September 1, 2001... We offer tool changers that can handle up to 12,000 in-lbs; collision sensors with dynamically variable trip points; single axis compliancy devices for assembly verification; connection systems; grippers, rotary actuators, vacuum products and...

ATI Industrial Automation.
September 1, 2001... * Robotic Tool Changers * Robotic Deburring Tools * Robotic Assembly * Robotic Crash Protection * Robotic Force Sensing

CIS Robotics Corporation.
September 1, 2001... CIS Robotics is a globally based company providing integration services to the automation industry These services include strong engineering capabilities that address simulation, full electrical/mechanical design of robot cells, including robot...

DENSO Robotics.
September 1, 2001... Since DENS 0 introduced its first component over 50 years ago, it has committed to producing the most reliable, consistent quality product possible. This philosophy has made DENSO one of the world's largest automotive components parts...

DVT Corporation.
September 1, 2001... Headquartered in Norcross, GA, DVT Corporation ignited the machine vision revolution in the early 1990s with SmartImage Sensors and has continued to upgrade, enhance and integrate the technology into the most cost-effective vision systems in...

Electro-Tec Corp.
September 1, 2001... Electro-Tec Corp. is a leader in the electro-mechanical components industry with over forty-five years of experience. We are the world's leading designer and manufacturer of precision electro-deposited slip rings and other electro-mechanical...

Epson America, Inc.
September 1, 2001... EPSON Factory Automation/Robotics, with 17,000+ robots installed; is a leader in factory automation. EPSON Factory Automation/Robotics sells fast, repeatable, reliable SCARA and Cartesian robots. The EPSONRC+ PC-based controller allows the...

Flow Software Technologies.
September 1, 2001... Flow Software Technologies is the developer of Workspace5. Workspace eases the implementation of robotic manufacturing by minimizing lost production, improving robot performance and increasing programming efficiency. This PC-based robotic...

JR3, Inc.
September 1, 2001... JR3 offers 6-axis force-torque sensors with load capacities from 3 to 1,350 lb force and 6 to 10,000 in-lb moment. Options include internal or external electronics and bolt patterns to match many industrial robots, JR3' new 12 DOF force-torque...

MEKAnize Robots, Inc.
September 1, 2001... MEKAnize Robots, established in 1989, is a U.S. company that manufactures a "New Generation" family of SCARA robots and linear modules for the electronics, semiconductor, and medical industries. The new SH-Series "four is six" Horizontal SCARA...

Motoman.
September 1, 2001... Motoman provides robotic solutions for a variety of applications, including: arc welding; assembly; coating; dispensing; material cutting (laser, plasma, water-jet); material handling; material removal; and spot welding. Products include over...

Multi-Contact USA.
September 1, 2001... Multi-Contact is the world's leading manufacturer of precision electrical and electronic connectors for industrial robotic cable interconnections. Utilizing the proven Multilam contact interface technology, Multi-Contact offers both standard...

Pilz Automation Safety, L.P.
September 1, 2001... Pilz was founded in 1948 as a glass blowing business specializing in medical technology. A mercury switch was the basis for the company's first electronic control unit, the mercury timer relay. Many innovative products followed, including the...

Remke Industries.
September 1, 2001... Remke Industries manufactures both standard and custom molded connectors used with control components on robots or in any location where automated manufacturing, production and packaging takes places. Corporate culture is genuinely...

Schunk, Inc.
September 1, 2001... A comprehensive gripper program with forces ranging from 12.5 oz. to 11,250 lbs. Compact rugged swivel units with specially designed shock absorbers for the fastest cycle times in history Accessories for your automation needs, plus new products...

SICK, Inc.
September 1, 2001... Since 1946 SICK, Inc. has led the world in optoelectronic safeguarding controls for hazardous machines, developing innovative point-of-operation devices, optical perimeter and area guards. Advanced functions include fixed, floating and multiple...

Staubli Unimation.
September 1, 2001... Staubli Unimation RX Series six-axis robots achieve Maximum Throughput Automation, with unmatched speed and acceleration for their class. Processes where the RX robots provide increased flexibility, superior production and quality performance...

Universal Lifting Products.
September 1, 2001... Universal Lifting Products offers polyester roundslings, telemetry load indicators and various cargo control products.

Robot Safety Conference Preps Users for Safeguarding Strategies.
September 1, 2001... The Robotic Industries Association's 13th Annual National Robot Safety Conference is slated for Oct. 13-15 in Ypsilanti, Mich., just in time to address how the new ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999 Robot Safety Standard is different from the 1992 edition....

Winners of RIA Robotics Scholarship Competition Announced.
September 1, 2001... A low-cost robotics machine-tending system, a lawn-care robot and an automated particulate-removal system are the winning topics in the 2001 student scholarship competition sponsored by RIA. The winners are: Bryan Coullard, Korey...

RIA Releases Updated Robotics Video.
September 1, 2001... The RIA has released an updated version of its free video, "Introduction to Successful Robotic Solutions," which provides potential users of robotics a quick overview of the key benefits of flexible automation and shows a wide range of...

RIA's Latest Robotics Industry Directory Available.
September 1, 2001... The 2001-2002 Robotics Industry Directory, with profiles of more than 200 supplier companies, is now available free from the RIA. This is the largest directory RIA has published, with an 18 percent increase in the number of pages from last...

RI/SME and MVA/SME Host Forum on Robotics and Vision.
September 1, 2001... Can quality be improved and cost savings result by combining machine vision and robotics technologies? To address this question, the MVA/SME and RI/SME associations have organized a joint technical forum: "The Unknown Robot: When Lasers, 3-D...

SME Tops $5 Million in Plan to Build Skilled Workforce.
September 1, 2001... The Society of Manufacturing Engineers recently announced $1.3 million in total grants, scholarships and special awards. Now in the fourth year of its visionary plan, SME funding has topped $5 million in a major effort to educate, inspire and...

In Fast-Changing Industrial World, Robots Help Improve Manufacturers' Time to Market.
September 1, 2001... The ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus once said, time is "the most valuable thing a man can spend." He could easily have said that time is the most valuable thing a manufacturer can spend. That is particularly true today, where short...

Shorter Product Life Cycles, Need for Quality Drive Robotic Assembly.
September 1, 2001... The material-handling market is the fastest growing segment of the robotics industry now, but assembly is a market that has vast potential for flexible automation. "If any market is underutilized, it's assembly," said Steve Harris,...

End-of-Arm Tooling Adds Flexibility in Robotic Assembly.
September 1, 2001... With the American Industrial Revolution came the questions, "What is the most cost-effective method to produce this product, what operation(s) can we eliminate, what operations can we combine and how can we eliminate manpower?" Fredrick Taylor...

Robotics Case Studies.
September 1, 2001... Inspection According to Harley-Davidson, the new Beta Balancer Twin Cam 88 engine is "Designed with Experience - Built with Passion." This 1450cc engine has become one of the most durable, reliable and powerful engines in Harley history....

LIGHT CURTAINS.
September 1, 2001... The 1000 Series from Applied Robotics is a technically advanced and cost-effective light curtain that is offered in a wide range of models. It features ease of alignment, simple installation and a two-year warranty, and is CE-approved,...

CRASH PROTECTION.
September 1, 2001... The Protector, a crash-protection device designed to prevent damage to robotic end effectors resulting from crashes, is available from ATI Industrial Automation. Several Protector models are available to match specific applications. Several...

SERIES E-STOP.
September 1, 2001... The Sensing and Control Business of Honeywell has introduced the 2CPS Series Safety Cable Pull Switch, which provides a readily accessible emergency stop over along, linear distance, such as conveyor systems. The maximum cable length in a...

LIGHT CURTAIN.
September 1, 2001... SICK'S C4000 safety light curtain is a new version of the company's FGS light curtain offering. The self-contained C4000 provides integral interfacing and blanking, software selectable parameters, a seven-segment display and online diagnosis...

SAFETY MAT.
September 1, 2001... Miller Edge's pressure-sensitive GuardianMat is designed to provide a stop signal to automated or robotic equipment when a person weighing more than 77 pounds steps down on the mat. The mat's patented design features a durable, non-skid surface...

BARRIER CURTAIN.
September 1, 2001... Frommelt Safety Products offers the Guardian Barrier Curtain, which is designed for robotic welding cells, laser enclosures or general protection from manufacturing processes. The Guardian, which can be interconnected to the robotic controller...

AREA SCANNER.
September 1, 2001... The Leuze-Lumiflex RS-4 is a laser-optical area scanner with a high scanning rate and fast response time. It continuously scans a complete working field with an angle range of 190 degrees. With its compact design, the RS-4 is ideal for uses...

LIGHT CURTAINS.
September 1, 2001... The new Omron F3S-B Safety Light Curtain has been designed specifically for Category 2 applications, where non-life-threatening safety requirements exist. The self-contained F3S-B features instability monitoring, which signals an output before...

SAFETY MATS.
September 1, 2001... The Larco presence-sensing safety mat is impervious to water and can operate in high-fluid environments. The Larco mat is molded in solid vinyl, and the electrode and cord are hermetically sealed to withstand even the toughest industrial...

PC-BASED CONTROLLER.
September 1, 2001... Staubli's new CS8 PC-based controller is a compact unit designed for material-handling applications. The controller features a new programming language, VAL 3, which is easy to use, yet flexible. This compact-structured, interpreted language...

ROTARY FEEDTHROUGH UNIT.
September 1, 2001... Schunk Inc. has introduced the new DDF Series Rotary Feedthrough Units designed for robotic applications. In typical articulated arm applications, the axes of the robot are required to rotate end effectors more than 180 degrees. However, in...

MATERIAL-HANDLING ROBOT.
September 1, 2001... Cloos Robotic Welding Inc. has introduced a material-handling robot that can hold a part being welded, perform tack welding and handle load/unload operations. The Romat 500 is capable of operating in six axes with a range of 135 degrees to 720...

SUB-ZERO PALLETIZING ROBOTS.
September 1, 2001... Automated Production Systems Corp. has developed a series of robotic systems that can operate in sub-zero environments and were designed specifically for the frozen-food industries. The systems reduce labor used in freezers and chiller boxes...

ODD-FORM AUTOMATION.
September 1, 2001... CHAD Industries has expanded its CHADIQh product line to include the new compact, linear motor-driven CHADIQh odd-form and final assembly platform. In less than a meter of floorspace, the platform is capable of handling virtually all odd-form...

DISPENSING ROBOT.
September 1, 2001... I&J Fisnar has introduced its new I&J2400 Dispensing Robot, which is capable of dispensing liquids and pastes in dots, lines or arcs. The robot is easy to program via a multi-line, backlit teaching box and provides continuous path motion. It...

PALLETIZING SYSTEM.
September 1, 2001... Columbia Machine's new hybrid palletizing solution combines the company's row-and layer-forming technology with the efficiency and flexibility of a robotic palletizer to stack entire layers of lightweight products at high rates. The system...

SMART CONVEYOR.
September 1, 2001... QC Industries has introduced The Smart Conveyor, which can reach speeds up to 2,000 fpm. The design is perfect for precision indexing, high-cycle start/stop, rapid cycling, synchronous movement, ramping up and down, reversing, elevating and...