Both companies are leading providers of robotics for logistics automation.
Robotic Beam Cutting & Scribing System Generates Tool Paths
Lincoln Electric Automation introduces a Robotic Beam Cutting and Scribing System for the structural steel industry. The latest addition to the company’s custom robotic solutions product line automatically generates tool paths from CIS/2 part files for cuts, copes, holes, slots, notches, cutouts and assembly markings on beams up to 40 foot long, 4 to 44 […]
Caterpillar’s Crawl May Hold Clues To Future Robotics
Caterpillars have a unique “two-body” system of movement that may have implications for robotics and human biomechanics, U.S. researchers say. The scientists found that the gut of the crawling hawkmoth caterpillar moves forward independently of and in advance of the surrounding body wall and legs, instead of moving with them. This is the first time […]
U.S. Army Developing Snake Robotics
Development of snake-like technology underway at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory is moving the military toward sending more autonomous systems instead of Soldiers on search-and-rescue missions, a top priority in the most dangerous mission areas. Army researchers call it the Robotic Tentacle Manipulator, a developmental project that expands on snake robotics research introduced at Carnegie […]
Intersolar 2010
Intersolar 2010 is one of the larger gatherings of the Solar Energy industry. I had the opportunity to attend InterSolar 2008 when it was still relatively new. In the last two years the Solar Energy industry has grown very quickly, chalking up 35% growth in 2009 over 2008 and with similar forecast growth for 2010. […]
Top-Secret Robotic Legs Helping The Paraplegic Walk Again
Bionic legs are a new top-secret invention that is helping a paralyzed man walk again. The demonstrated was unveiled in New Zealand, who can now stand up and walk across the room to shake hands with Prime Minister John Key. This new invention is being called “Rex”, which is short for “robotic exoskeleton.” The battery-powered […]
Robotic Platform Features Multi-Axis System
IntelLiDrives released new Cartesian Multi-Axes Systems designed as a platform for many laboratory automation applications including microplate dispensing, pipetting, liquid handling and many other robotic applications. Standard configurations include left or right handed XY, XYZ, and XZ systems. Stages can be side or base mounted with elevation raisers and base platform. An optional rotary axis […]
Out Of The Gait: Robot Sets Untethered ‘Walking’ Record
The loneliness of the long-distance robot: A Cornell University robot named Ranger walked 14.3 miles in about 11 hours, setting an unofficial world record at Cornell’s Barton Hall early on July 6. A human – armed with nothing more than a standard remote control for toys – steered the untethered robot. Ranger navigated 108.5 times […]
CUI Inc Expands V-Infinity Power Line
TUALATIN, OR – CUI Inc’s power line, V-Infinity, announced the addition of 10 and 15 W models to their VOF series of low cost open frame ac-dc power supplies. The VOF series has a low no-load power consumption of <0.5 W and efficiencies up to 83%. The combination of efficiency and competitive pricing makes this […]
Bishop-Wisecarver Promotes National Sales Manager
Pittsburg, CA – Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announced that National Sales Manager Michael McVeigh has been promoted to Vice President of Sales. He will have the primary responsibility of overseeing the entire sales channel for Bishop-Wisecarver, and manage all global efforts both domestically and internationally. “I have had the pleasure of working with Mike for four years […]
Linear Actuators
Linear Actuators are a class of mechatronic systems with some unique design constraints. As a result there are dozens of approaches, dozens of vendors, the option of designing the actuator from scratch, and, frankly, a lot of confusion. The problem lies in the fact that the actuator as a subassembly is the combination of a […]
Robotic Vehicle Assists Soldiers in Missions
The U.S. Army’s Autonomous Platform Demonstrator (APD) will assist soldiers in payload missions and keep them safe in the process. Developed by the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, (TARDEC), the APD is a 9.6-ton, six-wheeled, hybrid-electric robotic vehicle used by the Robotic Vehicle Control Architecture, or RVCA Army Technology Objective, also out of […]
3-D Video Gaming On Rain Becomes A Reality
A new 3-D projection technology that floats video and images on falling water may have entertainment value for theme parks and gaming in the future. It also might help drivers to navigate more safely at night through torrential downpours. AquaLux 3D, developed at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, targets light and images onto and between […]
Robocar Used For Research On Self-Propeltion Algorithms
Diginfo is developing a car robotics platform combining robots and cars. It’s thought that the next generation of vehicles that have intelligent capabilities will have several things in common with self-propelled robots. Robocar is 1/10 scale platform constructed for research in this new field of car robotics. Kazuhiro Ishikawa in the Technology Development Department of […]
Cars, Cars, World Cars
They are everywhere. And even in the electronic age, the economic impact of the automobile is probably the second largest segment of the economy in the US. And a very large feature in every industrial economy in the world. Worldwide, we hit a recent high of 54.9 million cars built in 2007. But there have […]
Electric Car Prequel
The electric car, hybrid or plug in, continues to be an elusive goal. One model sports optional 2 wheel or 4 wheel in-hub mounted drive motors. With a large battery pack and a curb weight of 3300 pounds, it’s a bit ponderous. But it has a 50 mile drive radius and rarely requires any maintenance. […]
Revolutionary Robotic Hand of the Future
The human hand is one of the body’s most complex structures. Researchers have made progress in the design of delicate grippers with fingers and thumbs. However, they are not yet available. Currently, only simple two or three-fingered grippers are used, and they accomplish only a limited range of tasks. Work is underway to develop more […]
$2 Bil more for Solar
The President announced $2 billion dollars will be given to fund solar projects in Colorado, Arizona and Indiana yesterday in a radio address. The funding will pay for several large solar plants that will add permanent power capacity to the respective states. One report indicated that the $2 billion would be funded as part of […]
China and Iran Make News With Humanoid Robots
Iran displays, but gives no further information about, new humanoid robot Surena 2 developed at Tehran University. China concludes First International Humanoid Robotics Olympics at Harbin University of Technology. Robots performed gymnastics, track and field and also domestic chores and medical care. Teams from China, America, South Korea, Germany and Japan participated.
Japanese-owned Yaskawa Motoman to build new facility in Ohio
Japanese-owned Yaskawa America, the Motoman robot manufacturer, working with the State of Ohio, is building a new 300,000 sq ft office and production facility which will hire 250-300 new people. Wasn’t America the first robot manufacturer? Oh, that company moved to Japan. Now we have off-shore-owned sales, assembly and integration facilities.