Robotics World articles from September 2004

Robotics World archives from September 2004

Towards understanding RFID.
September 1, 2004... Those who process or distribute materials, parts, sub-assemblies and products will sooner or later have to make their peace with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, just as they did over the past several decades with bar codes,...

Question: what innovations or trends are you observing in robotic assembly today?(Robotics World Roundtable)
September 1, 2004... EPSON Michael Ferrara, Director At EPSON Robots, we are hearing three consistent messages from our customers. The first is: "Give us choice, not an erector set." Customers want robots that tightly fit their application footprint. They want...

PACs making inroads into automation: 20 reasons to choose a PAC over a PLC.
September 1, 2004... System integrators are always looking to do more with less, and there is no exception when it comes to control systems. They want a control system that can not only handle digital I/O and motion, but also can integrate vision and...

2004 Annual survey results.
September 1, 2004... Editor's Note: The 2004 Robotics World Industry Survey was mailed to 23,000 subscribers. About 390 readers responded, for a response rate just under 1.7.5 percent. Most respondents were end users and integrators in high-level management and...

Custom robot solves palletizing challenge.(Robotics Case Studies)
September 1, 2004... SICO Inc. manufactures and distributes trade, industrial and specialty paints, varnishes, stains, coatings, caulkings and adhesives throughout North America and Europe under a variety of brand names. SICO Inc.'s St-Hubert plant in St-Hubert,...

Workplace safety training for robot and machine tool users.(RIA Update)
September 1, 2004... Top Speakers Featured at RIA's 12th Annual Robotics Industry Forum This fall's "must attend" gathering will bring together some 150 robotics industry leaders to learn about new market opportunities and make new business contacts. This...

AIA sponsoring the most comprehensive workshop ever held on machine vision for robot guidance.(RIA Update)
September 1, 2004... Potential users evaluating feasibility, current users looking for the latest expertise, OEMs and system integrators looking for new techniques and products, and other interested individuals should make plans to attend the second "Machine Vision...

RIA ... strengthening industry for 30 years.(RIA Update)
September 1, 2004... Back in 1974, North America was humming along to hits that included Ringo's "You're Sixteen," Harry Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle" and "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand. Trends of the day included wearing puka shell necklaces, "new...

AIA offers in-depth workshop on machine vision for pharmaceutical and medical applications.(RIA Update)
September 1, 2004... This workshop offers a unique opportunity to pharmaceutical and medical equipment integrators and OEMs; validation providers; systems integrators; personnel involved in packaging, project management, and QA/QC; and others interested in...

Association events.(RIA Update)(Calendar)
September 1, 2004... Machine Vision for Robot Guidance Workshop Oct. 5-6, 2004 Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. Machine Vision for Pharmaceutical & Medical Applications Workshop Oct. 13-14, 2004 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Princeton, NJ 16th Annual...

Workplace safety training for robot and machine tool users.(RIA Update)
September 1, 2004... Workplace safety training for robotics has expanded to include machine tools at the 16th annual National Robot Safety Conference, Oct. 18-21, 2004, in Ypsilanti (Detroit), Mich. Robotic Industries Association (RIA), sponsor of the Conference...

Closed-loop controller extends life of injection molding machine.
September 1, 2004... DeKalb Molded Plastics Inc. of Butler, Ind., is a leader in the structural plastics injection molding industry. The company's structural foam process allows production of rigid plastic products that have a cellular foamed core surrounded by an...

Trends in Robotic end effectors.(Component spotlight: end-of-arm products)
September 1, 2004... End-effectors are the enablers of all robotic tasks, providing the crucial interface between the robot and the work it must do. While the actual end-effector systems designed by integrators tend to be very application-specific the development...

Low profile air gripper by SMC.(New End-of-Arm Products)
September 1, 2004... SMC Corp. has released the MHF2 Low Profile Air Gripper, which uses a low profile design to save space and reduce bending moments. Because of its compact height, the gripper remains close to the manipulator to which it is attached, thus...

Servo-electric grippers by Schunk Inc.(New End-of-Arm Products)
September 1, 2004... SCHUNK Inc. is introducing a new series of servo-electric grippers, EGN 100, a 2-finger parallel type and EZN 64 of the 3 finger centric type. The basic principle of these two servo grippers comes from their proven pneumatic counterparts...

Dual-durometer suction cups by PIAB.(New End-of-Arm Products)
September 1, 2004... PIAB Vacuum Products announces dual-durometer suction cups with DURAFLEX, a polyurethane material that combines the soft elasticity of rubber with the exceptional wear-resistance of polyurethane. These suction cups are ideal for end-of-arm...

CAT2 Torch Mount by ABICOR Binzel.(New End-of-Arm Products)
September 1, 2004... CAT2 Torch Mount is a three-dimensional active safety coupling which is used for protection of a welding torch or handling device attached to a robot. When the CAT2 is connected to the E-stop circuit of the robot, any collision activates a...

Tool changers by Applied Robotics.(New End-of-Arm Products)
September 1, 2004... Applied Robotics is responding to the robotics industry's need to develop higher payload robots by introducing the Sigma family of tool changers. The Sigma series, designed with fewer components, greater flexibility and higher payload capacity,...

DX Gripper Platform by SAS.(New End-of-Arm Products)
September 1, 2004... SAS Automation is introducing the new DX Robotic Gripper Platform for robotic EOAT and end effectors. Developed for heavy and bulky applications, the new frame profile platform is D shaped and allows for six to eight sides for mounting mating...

Animatics Corp.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... Animatics Corp. has received a favorable decision in a patent infringement case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit. Animatics sued Quicksilver Controls for infringing its patent for a servo-motor with an integrated...

Phoenix Contact Inc. recently announced the acquisition of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Entivity, Inc.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... Phoenix Contact Inc. recently announced the acquisition of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Entivity, Inc., which provides Phoenix Contact with a USA-based software resource and the products and know how to meet control software applications based on PC...

Protonex Technology Corporation a manufacturer of fuel cell stacks and power solutions for portable and remote applications.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... Protonex Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of fuel cell stacks and power solutions for portable and remote applications, announced it has appointed Scott A. Pearson as its new CEO and a member of its board. Pearson replaces Norman Strate,...

Flexomation, LLC and Adept Technology, Inc. have concluded an agreement under which Flexomation was licensed the intellectual property rights for the Adept FlexFeeder 250.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... Flexomation, LLC and Adept Technology, Inc. have concluded an agreement under which Flexomation was licensed the intellectual property rights for the Adept FlexFeeder 250. As part of this agreement, Flexomation has acquired all inventory...

Anorad.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Anorad, the precision motion division of Rockwell Automation, has introduced its new High Precision Gantry (HPG). The latest generation of Anorad's successful HPG product line features a modular construction that offers unprecedented design...

Automated Assemblies Corp.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Automated Assemblies Corp. is introducing the Raptor 4000, a high performance servo robot engineered to meet the need for large scale beside the press automation systems in the 700-1500 ton range, capable of handling heavy payload requirements...

TAH Industries.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... TAH Industries introduces its new Multi-Bolt Flange, for use with its T-Series line of static mixers, designed for customers who need to install into metric systems. The Multi-Bolt Flange will continue to connect to the standard ANSI 150-inch...

>SAS< Automation.(Robotics World Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Largest supplier of EOAT & gripper systems for all makes of robots. Modular systems reduce robot wear: get a grip!--components for heavyweight applications, GRIP IT!--EOAT for lightweight applications, nip it!--sprue nippers. Custom grippers,...

Robotic Rotary Joint.(Robotics World Showcase)
September 1, 2004... 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...

The PCI MAXp and VME64 MAXv motion controllers are 1 to 8 axes, user definable for Servo and open or closed loop Stepper configuration.(Robotics World Showcase)
September 1, 2004... The PCI MAXp and VME64 MAXv motion controllers are 1 to 8 axes, user definable for Servo and open or closed loop Stepper configuration. Processing speed and FPGA customization equip you with benefits so abundant we invite you to visit our...

CLOOS Robotic Welding, Inc.(Robotics World Showcase)
September 1, 2004... CLOOS is pleased to announce our new MC4 303, CV/CC compact pulsed are power source. This multi-process machine (GMAW-P, GTAW-P (DC pulse), SMAW) is designed primarily for semi-automatic welding applications. The compact housing includes an...

The Fredricks Company.(Robotics World Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Affordable True Tilt 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. The singe axis...

Fluorescent sealed linears (SL Series).(Robotics World Showcase)
September 1, 2004... Designed for use in industrial environments, StockerYale's fluorescent fixtures are completely sealed to meet NEMA 12 specifications. Units are available in Twin 4 Watt, Twin 6 Watt, Twin 8 Watt, Twin 13 Watt, Twin 26 Watt and Twin 35 Watt...

JR3 force-torque sensors & receiver/processors.(Robotics World Showcase)
September 1, 2004... 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...