Automate Discovers A New Soul

The announcement that the move to Motown was being planned came on the first day of Automate 2019 and caused a ripple of excitement amongst the attendees. The next event will now take place at the Cobo Center, on 17- 20 May, 2021. So make a space in your diaries.

The reason for the move is the size of Automate - it has grown to more than 500 exhibitors, over 20,000 attendees and 1,000 paid conference registrants - and the fact that the show has come of age and does not now need to colocate with other events. Automate has grown and now needs a location to reflect its growing statue within industry.

“To continue our rapid growth, and better meet the needs of our exhibitors who look to Automate to reach new potential customers, we’ve decided that now is the right time to move Automate to its own location – and Detroit is an ideal fit,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the show’s organizer. “Detroit is turning into the next major technology hub in the United States. This is an exciting change for us and our exhibitors, allowing Automate to expand in size and technology scope as the automation industry continues its steady growth.”

DETROIT

I’ve never been been to Detroit - it’s one of those US cities I’ve missed for some reason - so it was handy of the Automate organisers to point out that it was named one of Lonely Planet’s top cities to visit in 2018. What’s more, studies from the Brookings Institution have rated Detroit number four on a list of the country’s hubs for advanced technology employment, with nearly 15% of the workforce in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area working in areas such as research and development and engineering. Though known as a traditional automotive hub, the region is growing in other industries such as aerospace, logistics and advanced mobility.

“We’re very excited that Automate will be moving to Detroit in 2021,” said Mike Cicco, president and CEO of FANUC America, a leading supplier of robotics and automation based in Rochester Hills, Mich. “It’s evident that Michigan is quickly regaining its strength as a manufacturing and technology powerhouse, and we’re proud that our headquarters has been in the Detroit Metro area since 1982.”

“Detroit is so pleased to be welcoming Automate to our destination next year because it makes sense for a region whose future success, particularly in the automotive sector, is dependent on new technology improvements and automation for the making and delivering of products and services,” said Larry Alexander, president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our hospitality community will roll out the welcome mat in our vibrant city for the nearly 20,000+ attendees of Automate.”

For its last blast in Chicago (it was an eight year run), Automate went out on a high, with record attendances and lots of praise.

According to the preliminary figures released by the organisers, more than 20,000 walked the show floor at the biennial event – an increase of 25 percent over 2017 – to see the advancements in robotics, vision, motion and advanced automation technology from over 500 exhibitors from around the world.

Burnstein said the majority of the largest exhibitors have already reserved their spots for 2021 in Detroit, all citing the strong connections they were able to make at this year’s show.

“Automate has proven once again to be an ideal venue for manufacturers to find the latest innovations in automation, from collaborative and mobile robots to artificial intelligence, machine vision and motion control. From what we’ve heard from exhibitors and attendees alike, the show was a great success, generating thousands of valuable leads as business leaders learned how the various innovations can help their companies thrive in today’s highly competitive global environment. We can’t wait to do it all again in 2021, this time in Detroit!”

Sector companies were happy to add their support for the event.

Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) used the event to launch the MiR1000 and add an AI-based navigation system for its entire fleet (more on that below).

Ed Mullen, MiR’s vice president of sales for the Americas, said: “Automate attracts thousands of companies from across the United States, which makes it an ideal venue for us. The massive amount of highly qualified leads we received at Automate this year compared to when we first launched in North America in 2017 completely validates our decision to exhibit at the show. We’re looking forward to 2021.”

Toothless Gearbox Takes Home $10,000 Prize in Launch Pad Startup Contest

Winner of the event’s $10,000 Launch Pad Startup competition was Innovative Mechatronic Systems

Its Archimedes Drive is a toothless gearbox with speed reducer technology which, they said, brings groundbreaking improvements in performance compared to current drive solutions. Founder Thibaud Verschoor and six other finalists had five minutes to present their innovations before the judges chose the winner. One judge, Oliver Mitchell of Autonomy Ventures, wrote that IM Systems “universally stood out for its important contribution...with potential to generate a billion-dollar valuation with its promise of bringing down the cost of adoption and quickening the speed of deployment.”

Automate now moves onto to Detroit, flushed from success at Chicago and hoping that by the time it lands in 2020, it will be able to replicate that success.

MOBILE INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS

Autonomous mobile robot firm MiR uses exhibitions as a key marketing channel, so it was no surprise that it used Automate to make a big announcement.

And up stepped the MiR1000 which can be used to automatically pick up, transport and deliver pallets and other heavy loads up to 1000 kg (2200 lbs) through dynamic environments.

Like the MiR500, introduced in 2018, the MiR1000 is a collaborative, safe and flexible alternative to potentially dangerous and expensive forklifts on the factory floor.

The MiR1000 joins the manufacturer’s family of AMRs for heavy and light transport that optimize logistics throughout the entire production chain, from the warehouse to the delivery of goods.

The MiR100, MiR200 and MiR500 are already installed in more than 45 countries at companies such as Airbus, Flex, Honeywell, Toyota, Visteon, and Hitachi.

According to MiR CEO Thomas Visti, MiR built the MiR1000 in response to strong demand from customers of the smaller robots who also want to transport heavy materials such as those in the aerospace and automotive industries.

“With the MiR1000, we are once again extending the possibilities for automating internal logistics, especially for those who want to transport very large materials without reconfiguring their infrastructure,” Visti said. “Manufacturers today must deal with ever-changing customer demands, which means they need flexible and easily adaptable production facilities. Conventional logistics solutions like forklifts and conveyor belts and even traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs) haven’t been able to support this type of production.

“With the MIR1000 and our other highly flexible autonomous robots, none of which require rebuilding infrastructure or extensive programming capabilities, we have made it especially easy to optimize the transportation of all types of materials,” he added.

“Customers have seen that with our other robots and will experience the same efficiencies with the MiR1000 and much heavier loads.”

The MiR1000 has two flexible pallet lifts for the two most commonly used types of pallets: the EU pallet and the 40” x 48” pallet. Like MiR’s other AMRs, the MiR1000 can be programmed via the intuitive user interface, or through the MiRFleet robot fleet management system, which makes it simple to automate new tasks for a company’s entire fleet of robots. The AMRs can also easily integrate different top modules such as pallet lifts, conveyors, a robot arm or other options to support a wide range of applications.

MiR also announced another industry first—artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across all of its AMRs for improved navigation.

With AI capabilities incorporated into the software and strategically placed cameras that function as an extended set of robot sensors, MiR has enabled its robots for optimized route-planning and driving behaviour.

The cameras, called MiR AI Camera, enable the robots to detect and recognize different moving obstacles and react accordingly. For example, the robots will continue driving as usual if they detect a person but will park if they detect an AGV so the AGV can drive by. The robot can also predict blocked areas or highly trafficked areas in advance and reroute instead of entering the blocked area and then re-routing.

ENERGID

Energid used Automate to highlight extensive enhancements to its Actin 5 software development kit (SDK),a robotic software for real-time, adaptive motion control.

Actin‘s advanced adaptive motion control capabilities help robotic system developers quickly and easily design, model and control complex robotic systems from proof of concept through deployment/execution. Its new features facilitate the process even further:

• eight new training examples show developers how to load a robot simulation model, execute simple motions, change motion constraint sets, and coordinate multiple manipulators;

• a Group Motion Manager allows developers to queue up a group of motions and control the execution of the motions using a predefined state machine;

• expanded support for Universal Robot’s E-Series and CB3 robots.

“The new features we’ve added make it even easier for robotic system developers to build advanced robot applications,” Energid CEO Neil Tardell said. “The flexibility of the Actin SDK allows customers to easily build advanced motion control capabilities.”

One of the most challenging and time-consuming problems robotic systems developers encounter include coordinating multiple robots to work together; adding a 7th, 8th or 9th degree of freedom to a 6-axis robot such as a rail, gantry or mobile base; integrating vision feedback with real-time robotic control; or moving complex systems through confined spaces. Energid’s two demos showed how these problems can be solved:

• Actin – In real time, the software adapts to the changing robot base position while performing a task. Once the system is modeled in Actin, the robot designer is free to focus on the application happening at the end of the arm. This can be applied in applications such as mobile robots, underwater robots, and robots mounted on additional axes, such as rails;

• technical demonstration of Automated Bin Picking – This interactive tabletop demo shows how Actin applied to bin picking simplifies the user programming of picking parts while at the same time enabling hundreds of potential pick poses. In addition, it shows how the environment is trained using real-world inputs of collaborative robots which enables collision-free motion planning within the space.

EPSON

Epson showcased its line of SCARA and 6-Axis Robots and also introduced three new robotics solutions.

With more than 300 models, Epson’s SCARA robot lineup - the G-Series, LS-Series, RS-Series and T-Series All-in-One - make Epson a world leading SCARA robot manufacturer. Starting at $7,495, Epson SCARA robots provide payloads up to 20 kg and reaches ranging from 175 to 1,000mm. Available in a variety of configurations, these robots deliver extraordinary cycle times and extreme precision with repeatability down to 5 microns.

6-Axis Robots

Epson’s space-saving 6-Axis robots, including the C4-Series, C8-Series and N-Series, enable a wide range of motion with few mechanical restrictions. With its SlimLine design, Epson 6-Axis robots can reach into confined workspaces from many angles with ultra smooth motion, making these robots some of the most flexible 6-Axis robots available in the market today. Epson will continue its heritage of innovation by introducing a groundbreaking ultra-low cost 6-Axis robot at Automate.

Integrated solutions

Epson offers a provides high precision robotic guidance, enabling developers to quickly build applications and reduce overall development time and cost. Force Guide takes automation to the next level by delivering fast, tactile feedback to guide robots for high-precision parts placement. Both solutions have an easy to use point-andclick setup and are fully integrated within the Epson RC+ development environment for easy configuration. Epson will add to its solution portfolio by unveiling a revolutionary integrated parts feeding solution at Automate.

ACIETA

To give job shops and manufacturers a system that is easy to utilize to offer a high-quality FANUC collaborative robot, Acieta has launched the new FastLOAD CR2000 standard machine tool cell. The new cells are designed with all components fully integrated for fast delivery and start-up as well as at a low cost.

“Companies want to address their manufacturing problems quickly, and with our FastLOAD CR2000, we can deliver a high-quality system with an aggressive lead-time,” said Mark Sumner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Acieta. “Utilizing a FANUC collaborative robot in this system provides manufacturers a great way to drive increased productivity in a small footprint, a safe work environment, and at a high return on investment, so succeeding with robotics is easier and faster than ever before. It’s changing the way people think about robotics.”

To overcome capacity challenges, labor shortages and quality variability, the FastLOAD CR2000 collaborative machine tool cell can help companies maximize efficiency and profitability, increase profits, address labor shortages and improve operator safety.

For high efficiency, the FastLOAD CR2000 can tend two machines simultaneously so an operator can load and unload parts while the robot is working on the other machine. It features a FANUC CR-15iA collaborative six axis robot, an intuitive touchscreen interface with easy in-shop wifi programming, and gripper fingers that allow for parts ranging from 5/8” in. to 5 3⁄4” in. diameter.

KISTLER

Kistler, the Swiss measurement technology expert, demonstrated its comprehensive measurement chain for press-fit and joining processes including force sensors, light barriers, maXYmos monitoring units and robotics application.

Kistler offers a range of monitoring and control solutions for press-fit and joining processes, including sensors,

measuring chains, monitors, evaluation units and joining modules for automated assembly and robotic applications.

In a demo set-up at the booth, a light barrier triggered a measurement: the robotics application with integrated force sensor tested the medical device. Next, the measurement curves were displayed on the maXYmos monitor, which distinguishes between good and bad assessment results, thus helping manufacturers eliminate faulty products.

Also, as part of the Innovation Showcase Presentations, Frank Kirgis, Head of Kistler’s Industrial Process Control Division, gave a speech on “Smart applications with sensors and monitoring solutions: making the difference in IIoT & Robotics” at the “Win the Future” theatre.

KAWASAKI

Kawasaki has added new high-speed, low-payload robots to its lineup.

It said that in response to the rising demand for fast, flexible and compact industrial robots in food and other industries, Kawasaki developed two 6-axis vertically articulated robots with a maximum payload capacity of 7 kg and different reach. The RS007N and RS007L models are the latest additions to the company’s general-purpose R series line of small-to-medium payload (3-80 kg) robots ideal for a wide range of applications including packing, material handling and machine tending.

The Kawasaki RS007N and RS007L robots continue to offer the operational advantages of the R series robots while incorporating a newly redesigned arm structure and main-unit weight reductions. By redesigning the arm structure and adjusting the acceleration rates in accordance with load weights and robot positioning, the RS007N and RS007L models offer consistently optimized performance by significantly reducing cycle times. These enhancements also result in the fastest operating speeds in these robots’ class (12,100 mm/s) along with increased working ranges.

The RS007N robot features a 730 mm reach and the RS007L a 930 mm reach for greater flexibility in production facility layouts. The small installation footprint and greater speed and reach of these robots provide automation flexibility for high mix, low volume production, and can minimize changeover times. Both models feature a double-seal construction on all axes and waterproof electrical connections, offering an IP67 classification for the wrist and IP65 for the remaining axes.

Kawasaki’s newest F60 robot controller comes standard with both models. This state-of-the-art controller helps manufacturers digitally connect their machines and extract value from the Internet of Things (IoT), and features enhanced data collection and transfer capabilities to support overall equipment efficiency (OEE) calculations and smart manufacturing. The Bluetooth enabled controller allows for the collection and analysis of both robot and production data and provides the ability to link to the cloud, other robots or machines, tablets, vision cameras and various fieldbuses.

With a compact design, industry leading speed and reach, and an enhanced communication controller, the RS007N and RS007L robots meet the demand for smart and flexible manufacturing, enabling efficient small batch production and minimizing changeover times.

DUARO

With a small footprint and low price tag, the easy to program and deploy “duAro” offers robot automation possibilities to companies of all sizes.

It’s a common misconception that integrating robots means spending a lot to completely overhaul production lines and start from scratch. In 2016, Kawasaki introduced the highly innovative human-friendly industrial SCARA robot named duAro whose mobile design and safety functionality make it ideal for companies of any size. Integrating the duAro into a manufacturing process is a relatively simple change that can benefit the bottom line and relieve employees from performing menial tasks.

The duAro is the first dual-armed horizontal articulated robot to operate on a single axis. This configuration enables the robot to perform coordinated movements, much like a human, making it perfect for applications such as small-part inspection, assembly, material handling, material removal and machine tending. As the robot is designed to fit into a single-person space, it can easily be deployed without modifications to any assembly or manufacturing line. The mobile base on which the dual-arms are placed also accommodates the controller, allowing the user to move the unit to any location desired.

The duAro’s design also reflects the need to keep its human co-workers safe. Low-power motors, a soft body, speed and work zone monitoring, and a deceleration function allows the duAro to safely collaborate with humans in work operations. In the unlikely event of a collision, the collision detection function instantaneously stops the robot’s movement. The duAro robot is not only safe but it’s also smart. The direct teach function allows for the user to teach the robot tasks by hand guiding its arms. In addition, the robot can be programmed through a tablet terminal by entering numerical values indicating the direction and distance of each movement. This user-friendly robot with a small installation footprint and mobile base is also perfect for high mix, low volume production.

Two Kawasaki dual-arm duAro robots were installed at a Tier 1 auto parts supplier to work together in a machine tending application. With the implementation of these two robots the supplier was able to double their throughput and eliminate errors. This turnkey solution took about 9 weeks to implement from initial design to commissioning, and an additional week was used to train employees on how to operate the system. The design, build and commissioning of a single unit to a turnkey system can range anywhere from a week to 2-3 months. With a base price of $33,000, the duAro is a safe, affordable, easy to operate, collaborative robot that can meet the demands for flexible manufacturing.

KOLLMORGEN

Kollmorgen brought their motion-centric automation solutions to the show for the first time. Visitors saw a variety of product exhibits and exciting live demos, including Kollmorgen’s servo boxing robots. Demos and other exhibits have been designed to show how Kollmorgen’s next-generation technology helps OEMs increase efficiency, uptime, throughput and machine life. Demos will included.

AKD2G/AKM2G System Demo: Kollmorgen’s AKD2G and AKM2G product lines offer OEMs the best power density on the market, and enough flexibility to achieve “just right” fit and performance to match the machine and application for maximum efficiency.

The dual-axis AKD2G Servo Drive substantially reduces mains wiring, fuses, and filtering to save significant panel space and cost. Industry 4.0/IoT ready, the AKD2G shares data with the Cloud and upstream controls, as well as communicating status, diagnostics, and predictive maintenance in real time. Safety is seamlessly built into the drive with Kollmorgen Safe Motion.

The AKM2G Servo Motor delivers the best power and torque density on the market, offering OEMs a way to increase performance and speed while cutting power consumption and costs. Highly configurable, with six frame sizes with up to five stack lengths, and a variety of selectable options (such as feedback, mounting, and performance capabilities), the AKM2G can easily be dropped into existing designs.

Robotic Gearmotor Demo: Kollmorgen’s frameless motor solutions integrate seamlessly with strain wave gears, feedback devices, and servo drives to form a lightweight and compact robotic joint solution. Kollmorgen’s standard and custom frameless motor solutions enable smaller, lighter, and faster robots.

Frameless Motor Demo: TBMTM frameless motors into any application requiring a compact, lightweight, and torquedense solution.

Servo Boxing Robots: A game of “servo boxing” that highlights a complete Kollmorgen machine automation solution. Industry 4.0/IoT/Cloud capabilities are demonstrated using remote monitoring and predictive maintenance examples.

AGVs and Mobile Robots: Showed attendees how they could learn about Kollmorgen’s flexible, scalable vehicle control solutions for material handling for smart factories and warehouses with AGVs and mobile robots.

APPLIED MOTION PRODUCTS

Applied Motion Products demonstrated a selection of new integrated motors and drives for both servo and stepper motors at the Automate Show.

Products on display included:

• MDX Integrated Servo Motors that combine high torque density, low inertia servo motors with on-board drives and controllers to create all-in-one integrated motor solutions that save on space, wiring, and cost over conventional servo systems with separate motor and drive components;

• StepSERVO Integrated Motors that provide costeffective and high-torque motion control for high throughput applications such as packaging and labeling, automated test and measurement, and automated assembly;

• STF Stepper Drives that support a range of industrial Ethernet and Fieldbus network protocols including EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, Modbus, Ethernet and RS-485, as well as a proprietary Serial Command Language (SCL) for efficient network communications over Ethernet (UDP or TCP) and RS-485. Using STF Stepper Drives, system designers and machine builders have the flexibility to control step motors using the network protocol of their choice;

• SV200 Digital Servo Drives that operate on 24, 48 or higher DC supply voltages for space-constrained and multi-axis motion control applications. Applied Motion Products specializes in high-precision, cost-effective motion control products including stepper and servo motors, drives, controllers, gearheads, and power supplies.

The company serves a diverse industrial and OEM customer base with both standard and customized products. RB