BMG announces the Mantis™ Robotic Trim Press Handler from NAS Nalle Automation Systems
BMG announces the Mantis Robotic Trim Press Handler from NAS Nalle Automation Systems, the industry’s first robotic automated system that reliably handles the flow of parts ejected from any trim press. This compact, intuitive, and configurable system enables full automation of the entire thermoforming process — from resin to palletized product — for medium to high volume production lines using either non-servo continuous flow or servo-driven long eject trim presses. Previously, parts ejected from non-servo trim presses needed to be manually separated and counted, a labor-intensive, error-prone, and inconsistent process that limits the automation of downstream packaging functions. NAS solved this problem with the patent-pending Trim Press Receiver (TPR) which uses a unique separating mechanism to count and contain stacks of products, followed by a raking mechanism to take the product into the receiver for transfer by the robot. “Consistent and reliable separation of product on a continuously flowing, non-servo eject trim press was the key to the development of Mantis”, according to Kurt Huelsman, President of NAS. “The design of the receiver coupled with NAS’s robotic automation capabilities brings a safe, productive and cost-effective solution to a historically very manual process.” The TPR presents the parts to a six-axis robot equipped with product matching End of Arm Tooling that in turn automatically transfers the product to a Shuttle Station, which integrates with downstream packaging functions that may include wrapping, boxing, case packing, sealing, and palletizing. Incorporating the robot allows the Mantis system to be very compact and configurable, making installation possible where the available floor space is limited or obstructed. The Mantis Robotic Trim Press Handler is compatible with all trim presses, including BMG brands Brown and Lyle. The fully automated system can reduce labor requirements by up to 75% and the modular robotic design allows for tool changeovers in under an hour.
Cognistx
EP 293: Clean Data with Cognistx
In this week’s episode of The New Warehouse, I sit down with Sanjay Chopra, co-founder and CEO of Cognistx. Cognistx is an applied AI company that builds adaptive, multi-strategy artificial intelligence products and systems. These systems help companies improve operations through AI applications. Key Takeaways Sanjay and his co-founder Dr. Eric Nyberg took their experience working on the Watson project for IBM and the Carnegie Group to launch Cognistx over seven years ago. Starting on primarily bespoke-type projects, Cognistx has evolved to focus more on products such as their data quality engine. We discuss the importance of clean data. Companies have been collecting data for years but have not been as careful about what goes into their data warehouses. Clean data allows the AI to provide more accurate predictions, identify optimal delivery options, and identify anomalies. The adage “garbage in/garbage out” definitely applies here. The data quality engine from Cognistx uses AI to clean data so it can be used for predictive modeling, correlations, etc. Clean data enables new technology, automation, and robotics to perform more effectively. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 293: Clean Data with Cognistx
Building a Top-Tier Automation Controls Team, AMT promotes Arthur J. Kahler to Director – Controls Engineering
Applied Manufacturing Technologies promotes Engineering Manager Arthur J. Kahler to Director – Controls Engineering, citing his contributions and hands-on leadership approach Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), North America’s largest independent automation engineering company supporting warehousing and logistics, robot companies, system integrators, line builders, and users of robotic automation worldwide, has announced the promotion of Arthur J. Kahler to Director – Controls Engineering. “Arthur Kahler has demonstrated a hands-on leadership approach to help AMT continue building the industry’s top talent in Controls. His recent promotion to Director – Controls Engineering brings significant strength to our team by providing a highly interactive leadership style to both our customers and teammates,” said Chief Operating Officer Craig Salvalaggio. “Arthur strives to build AMT’s team to be the top in the industry, all with a humble approach to leading people.” In response to his contributions to AMT and its strategic growth plan, Engineering Manager Arthur J. Kaher has been promoted to Director – Controls Engineering. In his new role, Kahler will continue to advance the sales and execution teams as the company transitions to a new generation of leadership. Kahler joined AMT as Senior Engineer – Controls Leader in 2020, bringing more than ten years of experience to the position. In his two and a half years at AMT, Kahler has had a positive influence on the staff of 70 engineers he works with. Kahler commented, “My favorite thing about AMT is the team culture. Everyone is willing to jump in and help and I always feel very supported by my co-workers.” A FANUC Authorized System Integrator and three-time winner of the FANUC Sales Growth Award, AMT offers full-service systems integration, specializing in end-of-line solutions, complex material handling systems, and engineering support such as turnkey industrial controls, robotic programming, and automation consulting. Bringing together best-in-class technologies and custom automation, AMT provides high-quality, cost-effective automation solutions. The company’s solutions have benefited manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, medical, alternative energy, fabricated metal, industrial machinery, rubber and plastics, food and beverage, and many other industries.
EP 291: Vecna Robotics at MODEX 2022
This week’s podcast is another interesting discussion from MODEX 2022, where I sat down with Daniel Theobald of Vecna Robotics. Vecna offers end-to-end automated pallet handling solutions. We discuss some fascinating solutions Vecna is bringing to the industry, including fully automated pallet jacks and how information sharing and collaboration are critical for industry growth and making purchasing easier for the customer. Key Takeaways The Vecna Omni, while still in concept, is a high-reach, fully automated forklift that goes into any aisle 8 feet or wider. The Vecna Omni’s double deep reach capability can turn existing racking in a warehouse into an Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS) without the significant infrastructure costs. The fully functioning OMNI concept met with over-the-top praise at Modex. Another exciting product from Vecna is the CPJ co-bot pallet jack. The Vecna CPJ co-bot is a fully autonomous pallet jack designed to boost the productivity of your existing staff by allowing them to use touch-and-go automation. The employee will “spear” the pallet and then touch a button to send the pallet jack to its destination without having to ride along with it. For the industry to move forward, information sharing and collaboration are essential. As co-founder and president of MassRobotics, Daniel discusses his views on industry collaboration, standards, and how working together will help solve challenges across the industry. Their interoperability standards are paving the way for a more cohesive industry. Listen to or watch the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 291: Vecna Robotics at MODEX 2022
Automate 2022 exceeds expectations with largest attendance and exhibitor count ever
Association for Advancing Automation expands floor space for Automate 2023 after this year’s show ends with 24,000 registrants, 600 exhibitors, and 75% of booths already sold for next year The Automate 2022 Show and Conference celebrated the most successful event in its history, setting new records for registrants, exhibit booths, and online engagement during its four-day run June 6-9, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan. The show organizer, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), expects next year to be even bigger with nearly three-quarters of an expanded show floor already booked for Automate’s return to Detroit, May 22-25, 2023. “Automate 2022 exceeded our most optimistic expectations,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “The excitement in the hall was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. People loved being back in person and seeing all of the latest advances in robotics, machine vision, AI, motion control, and more. This was the largest and best-attended trade show we’ve ever had.” Automate, North America’s largest robotics and automation tradeshow, featured more than 24,000 registrants, 600 exhibitor booths, over 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, and two million virtual views of its digital content. Exhibitors showcased the latest innovations in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine vision, motion control, and smart automation, and nearly 200 expert speakers from many of the biggest names in the industry offered insights on the trends and best practices behind the emerging technology in keynotes and conference sessions. According to exhibitors, attendees at Automate came armed with a list of automation projects in need of solutions. “Exhibitors told us that virtually everyone they met at the show has plans to automate, and some exhibitors reported selling robots right off the floor,” Burnstein added. Automate 2023 Returns Next May, Exhibitor Booths Filling Fast Automate 2023 will be hosted in the same location, at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit May 22-25. Exhibitor spots are filling fast, so interested companies should contact James Hamilton, A3’s VP of sales, here to book a booth or explore sponsorship opportunities. Virtual Content, Including Automate LIVE, Success with 2 Million Views A3’s virtual content for Automate—both leading up to the show and through Automate LIVE, produced in partnership with Jake Hall of The Manufacturing Millennial, Chris Luecke of the Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast, Tech B2B Marketing, and other leading voices in the automation industry—has already been viewed two million times, with nearly half coming directly from A3’s own social media. In the months ahead, A3 will feature this content in addition to important presentations from Automate 2022 to continue the remarkable engagement from the automation community leading up to the 2023 show. Visual Inspection Software Company Takes Home $10,000 Startup Prize Highlights at Automate, which returned to Detroit after nearly two decades in Chicago, included Covision Quality taking home a $10,000 grand prize as the Cowen Startup Challenge: Automate to Outperform winner for its software that automates and scales visual inspection with unsupervised machine learning technology. “We enjoyed our participation at Automate 2022,” said Franz Tschimben, CEO, Covision Quality. “The show fulfilled all of our expectations and goals. We got a chance to introduce our company Covision Quality to the US market and to manufacturing companies who want to automate and scale their visual inspection systems. We connected with potential partners – system integrators and hardware manufacturers – and we got a chance to see competitive products. Winning the Cowen Startup Challenge is yet another signal that our AI-based visual inspection product is appealing to the manufacturing industry and holds strong growth potential. We will be back at Automate.” Prestigious Engelberger Honorees Celebrated Other awards presented at Automate 2022 include the Engelberger Foundation giving Labrador Systems a $25,000 grant for its pioneering work on a new generation of human assistive robots. Three of the six recipients of the 2022 Engelberger Awards were honored at the Joseph F. Engelberger Awards Dinner and Ceremony: Michael P. Jacobs of Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) for leadership in automation; Oussama Khatib of Stanford University for education; and Marc Raibert of Boston Dynamics for technology. Keynote Highlights Keynotes such as SharkTank’s Daymond John and his 5 Shark points on the fundamentals for success in business and life; General Motor’s Douglas Stanguini on smart manufacturing excellence; and Raibert’s discussion of legged robots drew big numbers as did future work strategist, Rachelle Focardi, who talked about the future of work in the multigenerational post-Covid workplace. A keynote, “How Artificial Intelligence is Powering the Next Wave of Manufacturing,” featured Joe Lui of Accenture, Jorge Arinez of General Motors, Irene J. Petrick of Intel, Dieter Fox of NVIDIA, and Andrew NG of Landing AI, all helping set the record straight on the current status of AI in manufacturing and where it is headed. An executive roundtable, co-sponsored by the International Federation of Robotics, brought valuable insights on how robotics and automation are transforming the North American economy from robotics industry leaders Mike Cicco of FANUC America, Greg Smith of Teradyne (parent company of Mobile Industrial Robots, Universal Robots and AutoGuide), Greg Brown of UPS, Melonee Wise of Zebra Technologies, and Deepu Talla of NVIDIA.
Caja Robotics and intralogistics expert Fives partner to tackle new challenges
Caja Robotics, a provider of robotic and flexible goods-to-person solutions in fulfillment, engages in close cooperation with Fives, one of the world’s providers and integrators of advanced material handling and smart automation solutions. Through the mutual exchange of know-how and technical expertise as well as a deep understanding of customer needs and market demands, both companies will strengthen their position as key players in warehouse automation. Caja Robotics’ solution is complementary to Fives’ technology portfolio and will allow Fives to expand its offering in piece picking and to address the apparel and footwear sector to help its customers meet the challenges of omnichannel automation while giving Caja Robotics the extra boost needed to tackle the Southern European markets where Fives demonstrates leading positions. Advanced software and specialized in-house robots to change the world of logistics Caja Robotics has developed a solution for the flexible and scalable automation of warehouse logistics operations, which combines powerful robots, intelligently planned picking stations, and powerful, AI-supported software. Controlled by Caja’s cloud-based advanced fleet management, the robots move cartons and bins between the picking stations and the shelves and thus constantly optimize goods management and the entire warehouse operation. Caja’s state-of-the-art warehouse technology can be easily adapted to the existing warehouse structure, could readapt later with the changing needs, and is flexible enough to handle peaks in orders. The solution is particularly fitted for the specific requirements of industries with fluctuating throughput figures, such as e-commerce and retail logistics. The cooperation with Fives brings great potential for synergy effects for both companies. “Automated warehouses are a competitive advantage for mastering the challenges of the future. Our customers also see it that way, which is why we want to proactively develop solutions for their requirements together with Caja Robotics,” explains Massimiliano Fochetti, Global EVP Sales and Marketing for Fives’ Smart Automation Solutions Division. “We are glad to have found a partner in Fives who attaches great importance to further developing our solution together with us. At the same time, we benefit from Fives’ sales strength. This is essential for our expansion in the European market”, emphasizes Ilan Cohen, Chairman and CEO of Caja Robotics. A particular advantage of the cooperation is Fives’ extensive in-house experience and resources, which enable Caja Robotics to tailor its solution to the requirements of a wide range of customers and target industries.
Apotea deploys RightPick™ 3 Item-Handling System from RightHand Robotics™ to expedite operations for consumers
RightHand Robotics, a provider of data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, announces the deployment and installation of RightPick™ 3 item-handling system at Apotea, Sweden’s online pharmacy, to automate their facility in Morgongåva, Sweden. RightHand Robotics will support Apotea’s increasing demand from customers who utilize online ordering and need reliable, direct, and convenient delivery throughout Sweden. Apotea on average ships out over one million parcels per month. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for order fulfillment sky-rocketed. To keep up with order volume, Apotea sought out and invested in RightHand Robotics’ RightPick 3 platform to accelerate its e-commerce business and provide Swedish consumers quicker access to medication and other non-prescription products. “Through our warehouse automation initiatives, our efficiency has reached new levels to meet demand. RightHand Robotics’ RightPick 3 technology powered by its RightPick™ AI software will allow us to pick a wide range of non-prescription goods and prescription drugs at a higher, faster rate that will satisfy customers’ needs into the future. As our business model continues to evolve, we’re excited to have RightPick 3 to add extra capacity and elevate our business to the next level for the benefit of our customers,” said Pär Svärdson, CEO of Apotea. As RightHand Robotics’ latest online pharma customer, Apotea boosts the company’s industry applications portfolio. Since the pandemic accelerated the preference for online ordering, especially for over-the-counter and prescribed medication, pharmaceutical retailers and distributors have been challenged to fulfill orders. Automation has proven to Apotea and other pharma supply chain businesses the strong ROI and increased efficiency that RightPick 3 offers. “Robotic piece-picking automation is an increasingly important component of the supply chain, delivering greater efficiency at the fulfillment center, while increasing customer service levels in terms of order accuracy and delivery times,” said Paul Eyre, Director of Global Channel Sales at RightHand Robotics. RightPick 3 is a “model-free” piece-picking solution suitable for automating simple, but critical warehouse order fulfillment tasks 24/7. It is designed to easily integrate with other technologies to further automate warehouse processes and increase efficiency. With the help of RightPick AI and its machine learning capabilities, RightPick 3 instantly finds the best way to handle the selected item, which increases order capacity, improves goods handling, and speeds delivery time, as well as creates a strong link between other installed systems and the material flow. “AI-based robotic piece picking provides supply chain companies with certainty in their fulfillment operations at a time when hiring and retaining personnel is increasingly difficult. The robots eliminate mundane, repetitive work, such that warehouse personnel views the technology as complementary to their roles,” said Juan Manuel Rivas Diaz, Sales Executive Europe at RightHand Robotics,” while positioning pharmacies for growth of digitized services, including e-prescription.” The RightPick solution harmonizes well with warehouse staff, providing a user-friendly technology that’s safe to implement in any facility.
MassRobotics expanding STEM Programming with $100,000 Cummings grant
Boston-based robotics and STEM nonprofit receive three years of funding from the Cummings Foundation MassRobotics is one of 140 Massachusetts nonprofits to receive a grant through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The non-profit will use these funds to provide young women, especially Black and Latinx girls, a direct pathway to transform an interest in STEM into a passion and career in STEM, especially in robotics and artificial intelligence. MassRobotics was chosen from a total of 580 applicants during a competitive review process and will receive a $100,000 total over the next three years. “The current STEM workforce in Massachusetts is suffering from a lack of diversity, especially women of color,” said Khalif Mitchell, MassRobotics STEM program manager. “MassRobotics is honored to receive a Cummings Foundation grant that will help set women of color up for success in the technology industry, driving a more diverse workforce to pursue these disciplines for their professional careers.” MassRobotics STEM education is aimed at facilitating relationships between the robotics community and the next generation of innovators. Since 2017, MassRobotics has hosted hundreds of students for workshops and tours through their 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art space. In 2020, MassRobotics initiated several STEM programs in collaboration with various partners and the robotics industry such as the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program. The Jumpstart Fellowship was created to provide opportunities for diverse Massachusetts high school girls to learn about careers in robotics and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals. The curriculum exposes young women to the many technical skills in areas that are included in the robotics industry, from programming to design and simulation, to hands-on building, prototyping, and testing. The program also includes mentorship to help develop a more inclusive technical workforce by preparing diverse talent in high school to pursue careers in STEM and robotics. The Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. “We are so fortunate in greater Boston to have such effective nonprofits, plus a wealth of talented, dedicated professionals and volunteers to run them,” said Cummings Foundation Executive Director Joyce Vyriotes. “We are indebted to them for the work they do each day to provide for basic needs, break down barriers to education, and work toward a more equitable society.” Cummings Foundation has awarded more than $375 million to date in Greater Boston, including $25 million to 140 local-area nonprofits in 2022. It seeks to provide vital funding to mostly local charities that are working to improve the lives of community members through education, healthcare, human services, and social justice programs. This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including food insecurity, immigrant and refugee services, social justice, STEM education, and mental health services. The complete list of 140 grant winners is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
Seegrid named in the 2022 Gartner® Market Guide for Intralogistics Smart Robotics
Autonomous mobile robot provider is recognized for solutions that address supply chain pressures, labor challenges, and rising costs Seegrid Corporation, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, has announced that it has been identified as a Representative Vendor in Gartner “Market Guide for Intralogistics Smart Robotics” research report. Gartner, a company that delivers actionable, objective insight to executives and their teams, describes intralogistics smart robotics (ISRs) as a special class of flexible, intelligent, and often mobile intralogistics systems and cyber-physical systems that leverage embedded sensors and AI technologies to sense their surroundings, operate and complete tasks, and communicate with intelligent software. Seegrid was profiled in the transport AMRs category which is defined as specialized vehicles that efficiently and flexibly automate tasks within warehouses and plants. The purpose of the Gartner report is to inform automation decision-makers of the key capabilities and attributes of advanced ISRs, as well as considerations for selection. Gartner reports significant growing interest in flexible automation and the adoption of intelligent mobile robots within the warehouse, distribution, and manufacturing environments. “Many factors are driving demand for greater automation, including consumer and competitive pressures, growing labor constraints, and rising costs,” wrote Dwight Klappich, a Gartner Vice President Analyst. “By 2026, we expect the majority of large enterprises in product-centric businesses will have adopted smart robots in their warehouse operations.” “We believe that being included in the Gartner Market Guide as a Representative Vendor is reflective of how Seegrid AMRs reliably perform in complex industrial environments with human-like agility, intelligence, and flexibility,” said Jim Rock, Chief Executive Officer of Seegrid. “It reinforces that our mobile automation solutions are valued by top global brands across the supply chain.” Seegrid recently received Frost & Sullivan’s Technology Innovation Award, was named the #4 most innovative robotics company in the world by Fast Company, and earned recognition as the #1 AMR provider in the US and #1 market leader in tow tractor AMRs worldwide by Interact Analysis, an international market research authority for the supply chain automation industry. Gartner Disclaimer Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Gartner is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Asetec, an AutoStore™ Integrator in South Korea, Joins the RightHand Robotics™ Partner Integrator Network
Partnership expands use of robotic piece-picking for order fulfillment centers in the APAC region RightHand Robotics, a provider of data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, and Asetec, a logistics automation ICT company, have partnered together for future robotic logistics center integration projects in South Korea. As an AutoStore™ integrator, Asetec will combine the world’s leading robotic storage system and other matched technologies with RightHand Robotics’ award-winning RightPick™ item-handling solution to expand its offerings with a diversified range of automation. Founded in 1996, Asetec is a turnkey integrator for logistics centers, providing customers with consulting and engineering, automation design and construction, and AI software solutions (WMS/TMS/OMS/WCS). Over the past three years, the company has grown significantly, with revenues generated by a mix of software products and system integrations. Throughout this period, the firm has identified the strong need for AI-enabled robotic solutions that can be applied to supply chain and warehouse challenges for the South Korean market. “In recent years we’ve seen tremendous growth, especially during COVID, as customer demand for robotic automation multiplied, leading us to adapt and enhance our business and product offering,” said JongSuk Park, founder and CEO of Asetec. “To continue to meet the market need, we’re excited to partner with RightHand Robotics, the leader in robotic piece-picking, and offer a fully integrated RightPick–AutoStore system solution for South Korea.” Asetec joins the RightHand Robotics Partner Integrator program, the company’s flagship strategic partnership initiative that makes it easier for end customers to adopt the RightPick platform and integrate with their preferred automation suppliers. The new collaboration will accelerate the program’s growth initiative and further expand its reach into the Asian logistics market. “We’re thrilled to work with Asetec and gain momentum in South Korea,” said Leif Jentoft, co-founder and CSO of RightHand Robotics. “With over 1,000 domestic customers from pharmaceutical to e-commerce to general goods, there will be numerous opportunities for our RightPick technology to integrate with Asetec’s AutoStore solution and fulfill customer orders nationally. We look forward to advancing Asetec’s business.”
AMT to present Technical Seminars on Autonomous Mobile Robots and mixed Load Depalletizing and at Automate 2022
Applied Manufacturing Technologies COO Craig Salvalaggio and Controls Manager Terry Meister will share technical expertise on autonomous mobile robots and mixed load depalletizing at Automate hosted by A3 Association for Advancing Automation June 6-9, 2022 at Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), North America’s largest independent automation engineering company supporting warehousing and logistics, robot companies, system integrators, line builders, and users of robotic automation worldwide, today announced the details of its collaboration with Liberty Reach and presentations at Automate 2022 hosted by Association for Advancing Automation (A3). “Applied Manufacturing Technologies will have an extensive presence at Automate 2022,” said Rick VandenBoom, Vice President of Sales at AMT. “Not only are we presenting two of-the-moment technical seminars, at our booth, we will also be showcasing groundbreaking robotic and AI technology for mixed case palletizing/depalletizing / decanting of multiple cases using optimized best-fit finding algorithms. The event will be capped off by our founder, Mike Jacobs, receiving the prestigious Engelberger Robotics Award for Leadership.” AMT’s Controls Manager, Terry Meister, will present “Autonomous Mobile Robots – Integrator’s Insights on AMR Integration.” During this presentation, Meister will share some of the tools, thought processes, and strategies to consider when developing an AMR solution. He will discuss possible pitfalls to avoid, and how to work with the end-user on what to expect. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 10:00 am. AMT’s Chief Operating Officer, Craig Salvalaggio, will present “Demystifying Mixed Load Depalletizing: How AL and ML Vision Technology Can Unlock New Applications in the Warehouse.” During this presentation, Salvalaggio will break down the different descriptions of mixed product palletizing and depalletizing. He will describe vision technology and new software applications within the warehouse and review two case studies. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 1:30 pm. Also at Automate, AMT will unveil the latest technology breakthrough in robotic depalletizing using artificial intelligence (AI) in booth #1210. Held at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan June 6-9, 2022, the Automate Conference and Exhibition is the largest and most inspiring showcase of automation in North America. The Automate exhibition hosts more than 500 leading global automation solutions providers on the show floor. The Automate conference hosts four full days of educational sessions with eight training tracks for attendees with varying interests and levels of experience. At Automate on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, AMT Founder and CEO Michael P. Jacobs will be presented with the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award for Leadership at the Joseph F. Engelberger Awards Dinner and Ceremony.
Kassow Robots makes its Automate debut, showcasing the KR Series of 7-Axis Cobots
Kassow Robots, a developer of 7-axis cobot solutions for machine tending, material handling, and related applications, exhibits at Automate for the first time. Held June 6–9 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Automate is the largest solutions-based showcase of automation, robotics, vision, motion control, and more in North America. Visit Kassow Robots at Booth 1452 to learn about our extremely flexible 7-axis cobots. The 7-axis cobots in Kassow’s KR series offer speed and power combined with a long reach and a high degree of flexibility to work in tight and awkward spaces. They can handle payloads up to 18 kg and reach up to 1800 mm, allowing customers to automate a variety of physically demanding and/or repetitive tasks. The seventh axis enables continuous dispensing, welding, and material removal applications, regardless of access angle, without the need to reorient the arm. The cobots are perfect for limited-space retrofits and applications such as machine tending, pick-and-place tasks, quality inspection, and palletizing. No in-depth programming knowledge is required to operate the cobots, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) without robotics specialists to implement automation and programming cost-effectively and independently. Kassow Robots made its first public appearance in 2018, and in late April 2022, Bosch Rexroth became the company’s new majority owner. Founder Kristian Kassow is now co-owner and continues to serve as CEO of Kassow Robots.
DESTACO to exhibit at Automate Tradeshow 2022
DESTACO has announced that it will be exhibiting in Booth No. 3013 at the upcoming Automate Tradeshow 2022, which will be held from June 6-9 at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit, MI. Produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), Automate is the largest showcase of automation, robotics, vision, and motion-control solutions in North America. “DESTACO is excited to be back in person at Automate 2022,” said Darren Greene, Director, Global Marketing Communications for DESTACO. “We can’t wait to show you some of our new products and be able to talk face-to-face with current and new customers.” At the show, DESTACO will be highlighting an extensive array of products, including: 84N5 Series Sheet Metal Press Shop Grippers: A lighter, faster, and highly flexible solution for press shop gripping applications that feature easy in-field jaw reconfiguration, adjustable opening angle, multiport sensing, and minimal field maintenance Camco™ PGM40 Series Servo Positioners: Ideal for use in small high-speed positioning and sub-positioning on large servo-positioning applications due to its large through-hole and ability to be mounted both horizontally and vertically RCM/RFM Series Adjustable Pneumatic Pivot Units: The unit’s toggle-action mechanism delivers reliable power to hold large fixtures in place during welding and assembly applications while also offering the flexibility of in-field opening-angle adjustment Manual Clamps with Front-Mount Base: Designed with a vertical mounting base that reduces interfering contours, and available with both vertical (models 2002-UF and 2007-UF) and horizontal (models 225-UF and 235-UF) handle the action. All models have hardened bushings at key pivot points for longer cycle life and higher holding capacities. TCC-2E Pneumatic Power Clamps: Offer tolerance compensation that allows the clamp to self-adjust within three degrees of the clamp arm moving, with no need to use shims. Ideal for use in manual and automated fixture welding, positioning, and locating. 82M-3E Series Pneumatic Power Clamps: Provide superior holding power for automotive and sheet-metal processing applications via a lightweight, enclosed aluminum housing and optimized mechanics that are more precise in their positioning capabilities Camco™ Precision Link Conveyors: Combining excellent accuracy with high-load capacity gives these conveyors the versatility to meet virtually any automated assembly or manufacturing challenge. Offered in tabletop, modular tabletop, and heavy-duty versions with all models featuring roller bearings and precision-ground cam followers that help ensure a smooth transfer and long life. TC1 Series Manual Tool Changers: Ultralight, compact and ideal for use in cobot work cells and applications that require custom coupling solutions. These tool changers feature a very low profile and pneumatic and electric pass-through coupling capability. Robohand™ Linear Positioning & Gripping Products: Designed to be used together in any number of combinations to offer a unique automation solution that fits the needs of the specific application. All Robohand products are engineered for reliability and long life to help ensure maximum uptime and minimal maintenance.
Automating materials handling
Unpredictable markets, an unstable procurement chain, and impatient customers are just a few challenges your supply chain deals with. Balancing supply, demand and capacity has reached such a level of complexity that automation is increasingly sought after — and warehousing and materials handling are no exception. Here, Claudia Jarrett, US country manager at industrial parts supplier EU Automation, explains why warehouse managers should look to increase their investment in automation. Business Wire reports that more than 80 percent of the warehouses today have no automation whatsoever. However, it is expected that companies will ramp up investment in warehouse automation in the next few years. In fact, a Gartner survey states that 75 percent of companies will have integrated intralogistics smart robots into their warehouses by 2026. Simply put, warehouse automation is the process of replacing repetitive tasks with automated systems. The goal here is for these automation systems to eliminate labor-intensive and time-consuming duties. Doing so, in turn, frees workers up to focus on more value-added tasks, such as quality control. Intralogistics smart robots are designed specifically to support warehouses and distribution centers. Automation of this kind is becoming increasingly sought after in response to rising labor costs and the skills shortage. That’s also not to forget the increased demand for warehouses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and from recent materials shortages that impacted all sectors of manufacturing. With smart solutions to fit all budgets, there are several reasons to consider increasing your investment in automation. Investing in them now can be a great step to future-proof your business and gain a competitive edge, so let’s explore why. Safety first Safety is one of the key reasons to implement automation in your facility. Robots in warehouses perform inherently dangerous tasks, such as reaching items on high shelves. Secondly, they also help to prevent injury or sickness, resulting from general worker fatigue. Common injury cases range from using improper lifting techniques to working erratic shifts. These benefits are reinforced by a research article published recently by the Harvard Business Review, where workers cited it as the number one benefit. Furthermore, the same study cited an additional benefit that is being applied during the era of the pandemic. A stocking associate at a retail chain in Michigan stressed that her warehouse was safer following COVID protocols. “With just the push of a button, the cleaning robots drive around cleaning the floors and wiping everything down the whole night.” Customer satisfaction Investing in a fully automated warehouse system will increase operational efficiency and better address growing customer demands. In today’s fast-paced world consumer expectations for receiving products and services are higher than ever. Thankfully, today’s smart warehouses have much higher throughout, are immediately restocked and resupplied, and allow for services like same-day delivery. For example, by using technologies such as scanning, bar codes, RFID tags, blockchains, IoT, analytics, and AI, companies can drive faster order delivery, improve tracking and reduce losses and damage to packages. Better order tracking and real-time updates about in transit and delivery status can also help to enhance customer satisfaction. In addition, operations can also be automated and simplified, such as validating and sorting packages while unloading with the help of technology, routing them appropriately, and minimizing delays in delivery through dispensing accurate information to delivery personnel and customers. Such technology ensures more uniform and desired results, despite the skill of handlers. Automation options One option is automated material handling systems (AMHS), which ensure efficient transport of material from one place to another in the manufacturing area. This machine can be used in the same department or bay, on opposite ends of the manufacturing floor, or even in two separate buildings. An AMHS uses route and process step information provided by the manufacturing execution system (MES) to move material using conveyors, vertical elevators, and autonomous vehicles. Several other advanced technologies are used for the identification of the material. These include radio-frequency identification (RFID), barcoding, optical character recognition (OCR), near-field communication, or ultra-wideband indoor tracking to detect the location of material or carrier for transport by the AMHS. No human interaction with carriers, transport systems, or material is required with a fully implemented AMHS. The AMHS independently controls the identification, routing, and delivery of material to the appropriate tool. The machine even places and removes the material from the load ports on the tool. If this process is done solely by human efforts, it can be costly and even risk worker safety and product damage as manufacturing incorporate many steps at many stations during the lifecycle of the transported material. There’s more? The sky is the limit when choosing automation options. Even smaller jobs, such as removing recycling from the shop floor, can be automated. For example, Fetch Robotics’ Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) can be programmed to pick up recycling at custom time intervals, according to a warehouse’s needs. This frees up workers to perform more valuable tasks, resulting in improved employee satisfaction. A recent article from McKinsey anticipates that investing in integrated solutions across the three main areas of materials handling — warehouse management, shop-floor operations, and field operations — may be an effective strategy to future-proof your business. These share a few familiar success drivers, including accuracy, reliability, and cost efficiencies. In warehouse management, crucial success metrics include picking and sorting speed and tracking accuracy. Whereas shop-floor operations value timely delivery of products to production lines and low operating costs. Finally, the field-operations use case benefits from mechanical capabilities such as construction, mining, ports, and the flexibility to handle multiple operations simultaneously. Whatever your automation setup, whether a hybrid mix of new and legacy systems that include obsolete products, or a new integrated solution, EU Automation can help. If you need obsolete automation equipment to improve your facility, visit the EU Automation website to find out more. About the Author: EU Automation stocks and sells new, used, refurbished, and obsolete industrial automation spares. Its global network of preferred partner warehouses, and wholly-owned distribution centers, enables it to offer
FANUC introduces new DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS Delta Robot at Automate 2022
FANUC America, a global provider in CNCs, robotics, and ROBOMACHINEs, will introduce the new DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS delta robot for primary food handling at Automate 2022, June 6-9 in Detroit, in booth #3323. FANUC will also demonstrate its latest products including the new CRX cobot series and CR-35iB collaborative robot, the new M-1000iA heavy-payload robot, the new LR-10iA/10 material handling robot for machine tending and warehousing applications, and much more. NEW FANUC DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS Delta Robot The new DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS is FANUC’s first stainless steel food-grade delta robot for picking and packing primary food products. Rated IP69K, the robot meets USDA and FDA food safety standards, and sets a new benchmark for robotic food handling in terms of payload, speed, reach, and sanitation. The DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS features a fully enclosed stainless steel body that is resistant to the chemicals and high pressure/temperatures required in strict wash-down environments. The robot’s mirror-like surface finish ensures that any microbial contaminants can be washed away cleanly. With additional features such as NSF H1 food-grade lubricant, secondary oil catch basins (with viewing windows to monitor potential leaks), self-draining surfaces, and many other small details driven by USDA/FDA standards, the DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS is ideally suited for primary food handling applications. “The new DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS robot combines FANUC’s industry-leading performance and reliability with a food-safe stainless steel construction,” said Jessica Juhasz, staff engineer, FANUC America. “We’re happy to offer a food processing robot that will help companies maximize production efficiencies without compromising food safety.” The DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS has a 1200mm reach (400mm height) and a powerful four-axis design allowing it to handle 6kg payloads at high speeds. The new robot operates with FANUC’s latest R-30iB Plus controller with integrated intelligent functions such as iRVision®, Force Sensing, Robot Link, Collision Guard, and Zero Down Time (ZDT). At the show, the new DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS delta robot using a Soft Robotics gripper will pick bakery, dairy, and meat products from the middle section of the demonstration’s work area and place them in specified zones. COBOT ZONE: CRX and CR Cobot Demonstrations FANUC recently expanded its popular series of CRX collaborative robots with the new CRX-5iA, CRX20iA/L, and CRX-25iA. The new CRX cobots complement FANUC’s existing line of CR and CRX cobots that now total 11 model variations able to handle products from 4 to 35kg. Designed for companies looking to increase their capabilities and overcome labor issues, FANUC’s CRX cobots are extremely robust and can run for up to eight years without maintenance. FANUC will demonstrate a wide range of CRX cobots to address a variety of industrial applications. The new CRX-5iA cobot, featuring a 5kg payload and 994mm reach will make its first appearance in North America at Automate. The CRX-5iA will pick and assemble small gears using integrated force control. First, the CRX-5iA with integrated force control will pick different height gears (short and tall) from a stack. Using the “touch skip” feature, the cobot will determine the height of each gear. Next, the CRX-5iA will assemble the selected gear using integrated force control’s “Phase search” function. A CRX-10iA welding cobot will allow attendees to teach weld joints using hand guidance or a tablet interface with drag and drop icons. The CRX welding cobot supports FANUC’s advanced features including iRVision, Torch Angle Control, Touch Sensing, and Thru Arc Seam Tracking (TAST). The CRX will use Lincoln Electric’s Power Wave® R450 robotic power source and the new Lincoln Electric Smart Torch. Built for the industrial space, the CRX-10iA welding cobot is compatible with Lincoln Electric’s weld programs to help customers maximize productivity. A new CRX-25iA robot, offering a 25kg payload and 1,889mm reach will demonstrate case palletizing. Guided by a 3DV/200 vision sensor mounted to the arm, the CRX-25iA will palletize boxes to nearly 7’ high. A CRX-20iA/L with FANUC QSSR (Quick & Simple Start-up of Robotization) will demonstrate the easy connection of a FANUC CRX cobot and a machine tool. QSSR simplifies the automation of machine tool load/unload applications using the CNC controller’s easy guidance functionality for quick connectivity, start-up, and operation. NEW FANUC CR-35iB – Bicycle Assembly FANUC’s new CR-35iB collaborative robot with a 35kg payload can work in a variety of applications that typically require lift assist devices or custom equipment. In addition to being the industry’s strongest cobot, the CR-35iB has a large work envelope, and small installation footprint, making it ideal for tight spaces. A more streamlined and lighter mechanical unit includes FANUC’s latest sensor technology for safety. At Automate, the CR-35iB will help an operator assemble a bicycle. The operator will program various assembly positions with the easy-to-use tablet TP featuring a “drag and drop” user interface. The demonstration underscores the cobot’s ability to make the assembly process quicker while eliminating ergonomic stress. NEW FANUC M-1000iA Robot – Battery Assembly The new M-1000iA robot is capable of handling very heavy products including automotive components, construction materials, and battery packs for electric vehicles. At Automate, the M1000iA equipped with iRVision will highlight the EV battery assembly process. The M-1000iA’s serial-link construction allows a wider range of motion in every direction. It can extend its arm upright or rotate it backward, which is not possible for typical heavy-payload robots with a parallel-link mechanism. With a 1000 kg payload, a 3,253mm horizontal reach, and a 4,297mm vertical reach the M-1000iA is a good choice to help manufacturers increase output and maximize efficiency. NEW FANUC LR-10iA/10 Robot: Vision-Guided Piece Picking FANUC’s new LR-10iA/10 robot is designed for machine tending and many picking applications found in the warehousing and logistics markets. Weighing just 46 kg, the LR-10iA/10 robot mounts to the floor, upside down, or at an angle. It’s also very easy to mount the robot to an AGV or other mobile platform. The LR-10iA/10 has a 10 kg payload and a large work envelope with a long reach of 1,101 mm. Its compact size accommodates tight floor spaces, and a slim arm fits easily into machine tools for part load/unload. In addition, an enclosed structure makes it
Seegrid launches online AMR knowledge base
Seegrid Corporation, the manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, has announced the launch of a new customer resource, Seegrid Help Center, an online knowledge base that gives Seegrid’s global logistics, e-commerce, and manufacturing customers exclusive access to specialized insights, product information, and innovative mobile automation use cases curated by Seegrid’s expert engineering, service, and support teams. “Our robots and software are proven, having safely driven more than seven million autonomous miles while moving billions of pounds of materials in our customers’ highly dynamic, complex industrial environments,” said Jim Rock, Chief Executive Officer at Seegrid. “Every autonomous mile and pound moved represents real-world knowledge and expertise, making Seegrid uniquely capable of helping our customers succeed with mobile automation.” Seegrid Help Center is a user-friendly, online knowledge base that complements the company’s robust training, service, and support offerings. The intuitive online platform offers a personalized experience for end-users and is available 24×7, providing the ability to self-serve on a wide variety of topics and categories, including AMR models, to support, optimize, and advance the use of their Seegrid mobile automation solution. “Our customers are always looking to stay ahead and safely raise productivity levels, and we are committed to enabling our customers to achieve these goals with automation,” said Rock. “Now, our customers can leverage Seegrid automation solutions for the competitive advantage while also funneling our extensive, collective expertise across entire networks of operators.” Providing timely, relevant, and expertly sourced answers to questions ranging from simple to complex, Seegrid Help Center enhances the company’s suite of expert automation services. Seegrid offers its customers a full-service support experience throughout the entire automation journey, from initial evaluation and solution recommendation to ongoing analysis and consultation of automation performance post-deployment. Seegrid recently received recognition for its industry excellence and best practices, being named a technology innovation leader by Frost & Sullivan, the #1 autonomous mobile robot provider in the US by Interact Analysis, and the #4 most innovative robotics company in the world by Fast Company.
RightHand Robotics debuts RightPick™ 3 at LogiMAT 2022
RightHand Robotics, a provider of data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, announces its debut at LogiMAT 2022, the international trade show for intralogistics solutions and process management. RightHand Robotics will be showcasing product demos in Hall 7 Stand A61 from May 31 – June 2 in Stuttgart, Germany. Last year, RightHand Robotics established a physical presence in Europe with the opening of its RightPick™ Center Europe in Nürnberg, Germany, designed to enable customers to easily test the company’s item-handling system. Earlier this year, RightHand Robotics announced a significant Series C funding round of $66 million led by top investors, with an eye toward global expansion. Further solidifying these efforts is the company’s recently launched Partner Integrator Program for robotic piece-picking deployments alongside complementary technologies to address the growing demand for order fulfillment. RightHand Robotics recently announced charter members Element Logic®, the world’s first and largest AutoStore™ partner, and Vanderlande, a global leader in warehouse automation. Through partner collaborations, one of RightHand Robotics’ customers includes apo.com Group, Europe’s most advanced online pharmacy. Given this success, the company is actively developing its partner network. “Our latest expansion and funding have accelerated plans for RightHand Robotics to be a leader in the European market. We are excited to be exhibiting our RightPick™ 3 solution at LogiMAT this year. Despite having production systems in Europe, we have not been able to showcase RightPick 3 in a public event due to COVID restrictions, so we are excited to see how new prospects and customers react to our latest generation. We intend to be at LogiMAT and other European trade shows for years to come to connect with future customers and industry leaders,” said Roderik Ter Beek, EMEA Region Manager of RightHand Robotics. At the show, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the RightPick 3 system as it demonstrates model-free picking of a range of items with its multi-function smart gripper that combines sensing, suction, and compliant fingers. Attendees can also see the eOperator, Element Logic’s offering that enables automated handling of goods stored in AutoStore via the RightPick 3 core robotic picking technology and RightPickTM AI software. RightPick 3 is the world’s first autonomous piece-picking solution designed to be integrator-friendly with a modular, industrialized hardware design, well-defined software APIs, and compliance with international standards. RightPick 3 picks faster and handles an even broader range of items than before, with sophisticated features such as dense packing and damage-free item handling. The system provides integrators with industry-leading performance, reliability, and safety along with the flexibility and tools to jump-start their offering of automated piece-picking with confidence and at scale. Get in touch with us to schedule a meeting with RightHand Robotics at LogiMAT and learn if RightPick 3 is right for your firm through our Warehouse Innovators program. Visit RightHand Robotics in Hall 7 Stand A61 and watch a preview of RightPick 3 in action before the show.
Kassow Robots expands its reach in the Eastern U.S. with BlueBay Automation partnership
Kassow Robots, a developer of 7-axis cobots for machine tending, material handling, and related applications, has partnered with BlueBay Automation (Nashville, Tenn.), an industrial automation solutions provider. In applications with extremely tight spaces, robotic solutions are seldomly feasible. However, the Kassow Robots KR series of 7-axis lightweight collaborative robots enable BlueBay Automation customers to efficiently navigate light manufacturing operations in a wide variety of industries and applications including machine tending, palletizing, welding, automotive, packaging, and electronics. “Our broad product portfolio of 7-axis cobots and BlueBay Automation’s integration capabilities and extensive robot experience will help customers combat common industrial challenges, such as difficult retrofits, labor shortages, and continuous improvement efforts,” says Dieter Pletscher, the head of global sales at Kassow Robots. The KR series of 7-axis lightweight cobots provides a reach of about 3–6 feet (850–1800 mm) and payloads around 11–40 pounds (5–18 kg) to automate a variety of physically demanding and/or repetitive tasks. Additionally, each joint offers speed (225 degrees per second) to keep up with applications such as pick-and-place tasks, quality inspection, and palletizing. “We have been following our collaborative robot competitors closely as the market matures, and Kassow Robots’ 7th axis is a differentiator for overcoming payload and speed limitations,” says Pierre de Giorgio, CEO of BlueBay Automation. “All of Kassow Robots’ significant competitive advantages have set them apart from the rest of the market, so we wanted to get in on the ground level and become part of this story.” Flexible software programming and Kassow’s seventh axis enable continuous dispensing, welding, and material removal applications regardless of access angle, without the need to reorient the arm. The cobots are perfect for limited-space retrofits and a strong addition to BlueBay Automation’s flexible automation, robotics, motion control, and IIoT solutions. Meet Kassow Robots and BlueBay Automation at Booth 1452 at Automate, June 6–9 in Detroit.
BeBop sensors introduces first Roboskin for human-like sensing of objects to any part of robots
BeBop Sensors, Inc., the world provider of smart fabric sensor technologies, has announced the BeBop Sensors RoboSkin line of skin-like coverings for tactile awareness for humanoid robots and prosthetics. A true nervous system for robots at less than 1mm thick, RoboSkin is the only technology that fits all robotic body parts: limbs, fingers, feet, head, and torso, to make robots “feel” better. RoboSkin’s advanced fabric-based sensor skin can be shaped to any surface allowing quick tailoring to fit any robot, with spatial resolution and sensitivity that exceeds human abilities for a true partnership between humans and their robot helpers. The Missing Component to Make Robots More Human – the Sense of Touch Advances in robotics, such as vision and listening, are missing a key element — the sense of touch, essential for practical human/robot interaction. As robots are quickly becoming part of our world, they need to interact and learn by sense of touch and feel. Flexible, reliable, and highly proprietary, BeBop Sensors’ RoboSkin provides this essential touch factor, with technology based on BeBop’s fabric sensors, with millions of sensors in daily use throughout the world and over 30 U.S. and international patents. Humanoid Robots — a World Designed with and for Humans The Census Bureau predicts that for the first time ever, there will be more Americans over the age of 65 than under 18, with Japan having the oldest population with 30% over 65. In addition, “The Great Resignation” shows no sign of slowing down, with record numbers of people leaving the workforce. Human-like robots are stepping up to this urgent need, augmenting humans in the workplace, hospitals, and homes; with roles in healthcare, as domestic help, manufacturing, distribution, biohazards, and even in entertainment and companionship roles. A human shape ensures a robot should be able to perform any human task; fit through any door and use every human tool. Robots do not need to have the environment made around their needs — robots can do jobs humans want to avoid. Founder Keith McMillen said, “I have been working with roboticists refining our RoboSkinfor 10 years. We are pleased we can make this important contribution to the worldwide effort to bring humanoid robots into our lives to help people live longer, healthier, and more enjoyable lives.” RoboSkin is available immediately for a variety of applications in robotics and prosthetics, including biohazard, digital health, IoT, VR/AR, automotive, law enforcement, testing, and more. For more information, see the video: https://youtu.be/BWBUhcbEE50, website: www.bebopsensors.com. BeBop Sensors BeBop uses smart fabrics to create elegant sensor solutions for OEMs. Where things or people interact, BeBop Sensors comprehend force, location, size, weight, shape, and presence across any size, resolution, and geometry. BeBop technology is robust and proven with millions of sensors in daily use. Based in Berkeley, California, BeBop Sensors makes things knowable for product designers and visionaries.