A Supplement to Design World - March 2020 www.designworldonline.com
Sawyer’s
machine tending skills help manufacturer increase quality page 78
INSIDE: • MiR, UR Opening $36M ‘cobot hub’ in Denmark ........................................................68 • Cobot pioneer Esben Østergaard finds life after UR .......................................................72 • 5 collaborative robotics trends to watch ............................................................84
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The Robot Report
MiR, UR opening
$36M ‘cobot hub’ in Denmark
Steve Crowe • Editor • The Robot Report
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Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) and Universal Robots (UR), along with their U.S.based parent company Teradyne, are investing $36 million into the construction of a “cobot hub” in Odense, Denmark. Both MiR and UR are based in Odense, which the companies call the “cobot capital of the world.” MiR and UR are leaders in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and cobot arms, respectively. The two companies will remain separate entities, but a new 164,000-square-foot site will become the joint headquarters for the companies. The pair said this will create “significant synergies” to strengthen each company’s footprint in its respective market. MiR and UR also opened a cobot hub in Barcelona in November 2019 to promote collaborative automation in Southern Europe. A 1,500-square-meter facility in Barcelona’s 22@ district includes offices for each company, as well as a joint showroom for the latest technology and applications for AMRs and cobot arms. “Teradyne continues to invest aggressively in the development of new products, solutions, and sales channels and this new facility is a key part of our growth strategy,” said Mark Jagiela, President and CEO of Teradyne. “We have found something very special in Denmark. The Danes’ combination of innovative industrial design, combined with a practical business sense, have created a perfect combination for this emerging industry. The ability to make robots work in collaboration with humans in a user-friendly manner is something we have not encountered to this degree anywhere else in the world, and we’re very excited to expand our capabilities in Odense.”
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The vision of the new Cobot Hub in Odense, Denmark. The final architectural design has not yet been determined. | Credit: Universal Robots/MiR
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CEO of Mobile Industrial Robots Thomas Visti (left) and President of Universal Robots Jürgen von Hollen. | Universal Robots
Introduced in September 2019, the UR16e is Universal Robot’s strongest cobot ever with a 16 kg (35 lbs) payload. It also features a 900 mm reach and ± 0.05 mm repeatability.
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Strength of Danish robotics cluster “Denmark has a significant lead in the global market for cobots. Investing ambitiously in building the world’s largest cobot hub right here in Odense makes a lot of sense,” said Thomas Visti, CEO of MiR. “Offering a strong, professional environment with superb facilities enables us to attract talent om all over the world.” MiR said it hired 100 employees within the past year, with UR adding 280 staff members during the past two years. Today, the two companies have 160 and 450 employees, respectively, based in Denmark. UR employs almost 700 employees worldwide while MiR’s staff counts a total of around 220 globally. MiR and UR are the two most notable Danish robotics companies, but the Danish robotics cluster as a whole is quite strong. The Robot Report has watched the cluster closely. Danish robotics companies’ total revenue rose 18% in 2018, reaching $995 million with exports increasing 26%. UR grew to $234 million in revenue by 2018, with nearly 40,000 cobots sold at the end of 2019. In 2018, MiR represented 9.2% of industrial automation revenue for Teradyne. For the first three quarters of 2019, it represented 14.3% of industrial revenue. “This is a market expected to grow to a total value of almost $12 billion in 2030, according to ABI Research. Demand for Danish cobots already means that we are growing out of our current offices in Odense, both at UR and MiR,” said Jürgen von Hollen, President of Universal Robots. “Odense has a strong
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ecosystem of talent and we are pleased to have the opportunity to invest longterm in the unique robotics environment that we have been building here over the last 10 years.” Teradyne’s growing automation business Automatic test equipment for electronics still accounts for 75% of the $2.1 billion revenue Teradyne made in 2018. But that is a mature market that is unlikely to yield significant growth in the long-term future. As a result, Teradyne in the last five years has acquired four key industrial robotics startups: • Acquired UR for $285 million in 2015 • Acquired MiR in 2018 for $272 million • Acquired Energid in 2018 for an undisclosed fee • Acquired AutoGuide Mobile Robots for $58 million in 2019 Automation is still a peripheral part of Teradyne’s business as far as gross revenue goes. But the company said it has invested more than $500 million into MiR and UR. In 2015, industrial automation represented 2% of all revenue, but industrial automation represented 12% of revenue in 2018. Teradyne hopes its automation unit will be posting revenues exceeding $1 billion in 2021. RR
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The Robot Report
Cobot pioneer
Esben Østergaard finds life after UR
Universal Robots co-founder still interested in developing robots to help humans. Steve Crowe • Editor • The Robot Report
If you had the financial eedom to do what you want in life, what would you choose to do? Esben Østergaard started asking himself that very question late in 2018. He had helped grow the nascent collaborative robotics market by co-founding Universal Robots A/S in 2003. The Danish company has become the market leader by focusing on robot arms that are easy to set up and program, can be deployed flexibly, and are relatively safe to operate around people. Østergaard made a fortune when Teradyne acquired cobot leader Universal Robots in May 2015 for $350 million. He took part of the money he made om that sale and re-invested it into Mobile Industrial Robots ApS (MiR), another Danish company that has developed autonomous mobile robots. About three years later, Teradyne acquired MiR for $272 million. Østergaard receives recognition, then steps away Østergaard was named a winner of the 2018 Engelberger Robotics Award. Known as the “Nobel Prize of robotics,” the Robotic Industries Association has bestowed the award upon 126 robotics experts om 17 nations since its inception in 1977. Østergaard was recognized for spearheading the development of the UR cobot arms. Universal Robots has now sold more than 40,000 units worldwide.
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Esben Østergaard, co-founder and former CTO of Universal Robots, recently launched
REInvest Robotics, an accelerator platform for robotics startups.
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The Robot Report Universal Robots History 2005 2008 2012 2015 2016 2018 2019
UR founded by Esben Østergaard, Kasper Støy, and Kristian Kassow Ships first cobot, a UR5 Launch of larger UR10 cobot Acquired by Teradyne for $350 million Launch of UR+ ecosystem Launch of e-Series cobots; Østergaard wins Engelberger Robotics Award Launch of UR16e with 16 kg payload
“Robotics is on a similar trajectory to what the IT industry went through the last 30 to 50 years,” Østergaard said. “Robotics is coming out of supercontrolled environments and being spread out into new areas outside manufacturing, including construction, logistics, and agriculture.”
He remained with the company until March 2019, when he stepped down. Østergaard said at the time, “At some point, you also have to say that if you want to try something new in life; maybe now is the right time for me.” It didn’t take him long to figure out what to do next. His wife, Richa Misri, helped. “Around Christmas Eve in 2018, my wife and I were home alone. No kids, no family. We had a simple Christmas meal,” he recalled. “She prepared a PowerPoint for me about the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. She said, ‘We have the eedom to do whatever we want now,’ and asked what we could do to make the world a better place.” In April 2019, Østergaard and Misri founded REInvest Robotics, an accelerator platform that provides advice, guidance, and angel funding to robotics startups. The company charges fees for various services, and half of that fee is reinvested into robotics startups or charities. Helping humanity through robotics REInvest Robotics wants to work with forwardthinking robotics startups that, like its founders, believe the future is bright because humans can use machines to solve challenges ranging om the simple to the complex. At press time, REInvest Robotics had invested an undisclosed amount into two
REInvest Robotics invested in Farmdroid, which is developing an
autonomous ground robot that automates sowing and weed removal.
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The Robot Report robotics startups: Farmdroid and Tutobo. Odense, Denmark-based Farmdroid is developing an autonomous lightweight ground robot that automates sowing and weed removal on agricultural land. This means crops are grown organically, with carbon-neutral methods, and without damage to the soil’s microstructure. “Farmers use lots of herbicides, and that’s not great for anything,” Østergaard said. “If we can avoid that, it’s a good thing.” Tutobo is a startup in Athens, Greece, that supplies robot toys to teach children how to code using storytelling and gamification. “Education is the key to the future,” Østergaard said. “If we can improve education, it’s a good way to make the world a better place. But education is not my core competency. My core competency is robotics. It’s probably best for me to help the world through robotics.” Setting course for the future ‘Besides his work through REInvest Robotics, Østergaard is a board member of Odense Robotics, a world-leading robotics cluster that is home to more than 129 companies and more than 3,600 employees. He is also a board member at EffiMat Storage Technology A/S, a Danish logistics and supply chain specialist. In addition, Østergaard continues to work with the Danish government to formulate its first national robotics strategy. “Robotics is on a similar trajectory to what the IT industry went through the last 30 to 50 years,” Østergaard said. “Robotics is coming out of supercontrolled environments and being spread out into new areas outside manufacturing, including construction, logistics, and agriculture.” Østergaard admitted he has thought about what his identity would be without UR and MiR. Safe to say, he has found his footing with REInvest Robotics. “I am completely convinced humankind will improve if we accelerate robotics in the right way,” he stressed. “People are afraid of technology and change, but technology has improved humankind throughout history -- lowering infant mortality rates, curing diseases, even going to the supermarket is better than in the olden days. “New tech will disrupt jobs, but there will be jobs that people never dreamed about. Some of the highest-paid people on the planet wouldn’t be recognizable to workers 200 years ago,” said Østergaard. “We need to deal with all the bumps and people who are negatively affected, but the bigger picture is that it’s for the better.” RR
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The Robot Report
Sawyer’s machine tending skills
help manufacturer increase quality
Steve Crowe • Editor • The Robot Report
Fitzpatrick Manufacturing, a Sterling Heights, Michigan-based CNC machine shop and custom manufacturer founded in 1952, supplies parts to more than a dozen sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical equipment, and oil and gas. To increase operational efficiency and counterbalance a tight labor market, Fitzpatrick Manufacturing made its initial foray into advanced automation by adopting a Sawyer collaborative robot om Rethink Robotics. Sawyer is helping Fitzpatrick Manufacturing hone parts that become components for the motion control industry. However, Fitzpatrick Manufacturing envisions additional Sawyer robots helping with kitting and quality inspection applications in the near future. Challenge Fitzpatrick Manufacturing turned to automation to increase operational efficiency and improve part quality. The company’s jobs are getting bigger, but it’s getting harder to find people willing to do the work.
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Fitzpatrick Manufacturing, a CNC machine shop and custom manufacturer, deployed Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer cobot at its Sterling Heights, Michigan, facility to increase operational efficiency and to counterbalance a tight labor market. | Rethink Robotics THE ROBOT REPORT
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| Raytheon
The Robot Report Case Study Breakdown Company
Fitzpatrick Manufacturing
Location
Sterling Heights, Mich.
Industry
Custom manufacturing
Challenges Task Cobot Value Drivers Project Cost
Variable quality; subpar efficiency Machine tending Rethink Robotics Sawyer Ease of use, flexibile deployment, collaborative, safe $46,000
Project Timeline 3 months Results
Increased productivity of 300 parts/day; improved quality
ROI 7-8 months Integrator
Shaltz Automation
Thanks to Sawyer, Fitzpatrick Manufacturing now produces on average 300 pieces more per day. | Rethink Robotics
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“This machine tending application was mindless and tedious,” Kevin LaComb, co-president at Fitzpatrick Manufacturing, told The Robot Report. “There were four people rotating on this job to prevent boredom. They’re just taking parts and loading them into the machine, checking the parts, washing them, and packaging them. They’re under the impression they’d be a machine operator, but they’re on the most boring job ever.” LaComb said this created quality control issues. “When a human was in front of it, customers would sometimes say two of the 70 pieces we shipped to
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them were oily. We forgot to wash them. Sawyer doesn’t forget to do that. Any part in the box is 100% correct and has been washed. Sometimes parts were packed upside down, too, and our customers wouldn’t catch that either.” Solution Fitzpatrick Manufacturing thought about adopting automation for three years before finally pulling the trigger on Sawyer. The company became somewhat familiar with Sawyer after seeing the robot at various trade shows. Sawyer is helping hone parts that become components for the motion control industry. Sawyer identifies which part to run first and loads it into the honing machine. When the first part is finished, Sawyer removes it, loads a second part into the machine and places the first part in the wash station. Sawyer then dries the part at the air blow station before packaging it in a box for shipment. With 400 spots on the pin board to process, Sawyer can package between 280 and 300 before a human worker needs to intervene. This process could take five to eight hours, which allows Sawyer to run overnight, lights out, and have all the parts ready to go when workers arrive back at the facility. Fitzpatrick Manufacturing picked the Sawyer in part because of its current specs, which include 7 degrees of freedom, a 1260 mm (1 meter) reach, 4 kg (8.8 lbs) payload and 0.1 mm task repeatability. Sawyer also features an embedded Cognex Vision System in the arm for object detection and inspection, and it supports external camera integration, too. The Intera Insights software is also useful, providing real-time key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cycle times and part counts to Fitzpatrick Manufacturing employees on the floor. “There’s a lot of power built into Sawyer,” said LaComb. “All of these features will have a purpose one day as software updates come. We don’t know where Sawyer will be in 2-3 years, but certainly it will bring more utility to the equation soon.” LaComb said Fitzpatrick Manufacturing spent about $46,000 on the project. Shaltz Automation started the integration in November 2017, and
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Sawyer helps Fitzpatrick Manufacturing hone parts that become motion control components. | Rethink Robotics it should have taken about two weeks. However, once LaComb and company had possession of Sawyer and learned more about what it could do, mission creep took over and lengthened the installation, which was completed by the end of January 2018. Jon Mutz, a team leader at Fitzpatrick Manufacturing, is now responsible for all the programming on Sawyer. There are three other people at the company who can operate Sawyer. “When Sawyer first hit the floor, I had zero experience with robotics,” he said. “I’m a machinist. I could run a CNC machine and that’s it. The distributor got it up and running and I got a quick hands-on tutorial. Then I jumped on Rethink’s website and went through the training portal, which was extremely helpful. After about two weeks, it became extremely easy to use.” Results Thanks to Sawyer, LaComb said Fitzpatrick Manufacturing is now producing, on average, 300 pieces more per day. Four employees have gone from standing in front of a machine for 10 hours every day to acting as a caretaker
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for Sawyer for just 1 hour per 1,000 pieces produced. “A human out produced Sawyer for the first 2-3 hours of the day, but after that, things slow down due to boredom. And robots don’t take a bathroom break, lunch break, coffee break. As long as there isn’t a problem with Sawyer, he’s working. Humans now just make sure Sawyer has parts. If it doesn’t, they load more into Sawyer and take boxes away.” Under normal circumstances, LaComb said the ROI would have been about one year. But because the lights-out concept has been more robust than expected, and Sawyer’s running 24 hours a day Monday thru Friday, plus additional weekend hours, LaComb expects the ROI will be closer to 7-8 months. “If it didn’t work out, we weren’t going to lose the farm,” LaComb said. “Longterm, it will make us more profitable because that person Sawyer replaced is now on a higher-end activity within the company, and the machine is producing more dollars per hour.” And it appears automation will become an ever bigger part of Fitzpatrick Manufacturing’s operations. LaComb
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predicts there will be 3-5 Sawyer robots in the company’s packaging area in the next 1-2 years. “A big part of this experiment is seeing if we can have Sawyer in our packaging area building kits,” said LaComb. “We’re already making 17 of a customer’s 25 components, so we’re starting to receive requests to build kits.” LaComb said some customers are also demanding 100% inspection of the products being shipped from Fitzpatrick Manufacturing’s facility. The company has that capability, but a human is currently doing this manually. LaComb thinks Sawyer can handle this task, too. “It’s an expensive piece of inspection equipment,” he admits. “But on the weekends we can stack the parts in front of Sawyer, it loads the parts in and inspects them. Now we just used our downtime for checking parts.” LaComb said Fitzpatrick Manufacturing employees on the floor range in age from 18-62 years old. He said the under-40 crowd was excited about working with a robot, while the over-40 employees were not. “They didn’t think it would ever work,” LaComb said. “They would say, ‘How much time are you going to put into this?’ But the over-40 employees have come around pretty quickly.” LaComb said another interesting benefit is that Sawyer is an attentiongrabber when customers come to the facility. “The young people think Sawyer is neat, and it sparks their interest in manufacturing,” he said. “Schools, and moms and dads, don’t do a good job explaining what manufacturing actually is. When people see Sawyer working, it sends a message that manufacturing is a high-tech industry and not a 1950s machine shop.” RR
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The Robot Report
5
collaborative
robotics trends to watch
From better sensors to mobile manipulation, here are growth factors for cobots in 2020.
Eugene Demaitre • Senior Editor • The Robot Report
Collaborative robot arms may have started out as a niche within industrial automation, but expanding capabilities and new applications show that the idea of robots working with humans continues to catch on. Still, cobots face challenges, om slowed demand in manufacturing to the need to demonstrate to smaller businesses that they are truly flexible and easy enough to use. What’s old is new again, with cobot pioneer Rethink Robotics (now part of HAHN Group) coming out with a re-engineered version of Sawyer for commercial use. Clearly, it feels that cobots can be more than a research platform. Meanwhile, cobot leader Universal Robots has grown, partly because it has kept its focus on making robot arms while supporting developers, accessory makers, and users through its UR+ program and UR Academy. Another sign of
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Heavier-duty autonomous mobile robots can carry cobot arms for mobile manipulation. | Source: Waypoint Robotics
1 Demand continues to grow, despite headwinds Trade spats, recessionary rumblings, slow consumer demand for cars, and now the coronavirus have affected global manufacturing, particularly in the U.S. and China. At the same time, a tight labor market and the need for increased efficiencies to stay competitive are continuing to drive companies to industrial automation. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has predicted that 2 million robots will ship around the world between 2020 and 2022. It also noted that collaborative operations will likely grow more sophisticated. Orders for robots in North America increased 1.6% om 2018, to 29,988 units in 2019, while revenue declined 1.3% to $1.6 billion, reported the Robotic Industries Association (RIA). Year-over-year revenue growth for Universal Robots, the leading cobot THE ROBOT REPORT
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supplier, slowed to 6%, according to parent company Teradyne Inc.’s earnings call for the fourth quarter of 2019. Even though orders were down across manufacturing sectors, especially among automotive component makers, orders om automotive OEMs increased 50.5%, said the RIA. The global market for collaborative robot arms will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.6% between 2019 and 2030, reaching $11.8 billion, said ABI Research. Note that cobots are a relatively small portion of industrial automation, so even if CAGR isn’t at 50%, as it has been, there is plenty of room for growth. By 2027, cobots could account for 30% of the total robot market, according to Interact Analysis. It predicted that applications for cobots will grow beyond materials handling, assembly, and pick-and-place operations to include healthcare, hospitality, and logistics.
Forcast for Collaborative Robot Revenues 8,000 7,000 Revenues ($ M)
the robustness of the cobot market is that Universal Robots faces increasing competition, both om cobot startups and om more established robot providers such as ABB, FANUC, and KUKA. Here are some trends to watch this year in collaborative robots:
6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Strong growth is expected in the cobot market. | Source: Interact Analysis
2 Machine vision and manipulation improve The Robot Report has already covered the diversification of robotic grippers (see our February 2020 issue). Another factor making cobots both more precise and more flexible is the evolution of machine vision and artificial intelligence. www.therobotreport.com
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The Robot Report The OB-7 cobot uses “human-like senses” for more efficient robot training and operations such as machine tending. | Source: Productive Robotics Inc.
Lidar, 3D cameras, and sensor fusion enable robots to be more aware of their environments, better able to distinguish items for handling, and safer around humans. Other innovations include edge processing, such as that from Imaging Development Systems GmbH, and “active perception” being developed at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision. Several companies, including Figure Eight, Neurala, Scale AI, and Understand. ai are working on making it easier to train machine-learning models. Some apply automation to the image-annotation process, which human workers typically do now. They’re mainly looking at the massive data sets for self-driving cars, but the techniques can also help robots recognize objects and know where to grasp them. In addition, the line between collaborative robots and social robots is blurred when discussing the capability of robots using machine vision and AI to pick up on human cues about their emotional states or intentions. Companies such as Affectiva and a team at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have been working on making sure that service robots and cars can better adapt to human directions.
3 Ease of use becomes a programming priority Among of the selling points of cobots are their ease of use and flexibility, perhaps even more than the potential for safe collaboration with human workers. The ability to move from one process to another with a minimum of retraining or robotics programming expertise on the part of human supervisors is supposed to enable wider adoption among small and midsize enterprises (SMEs). However, much of the evidence of SME adoption to date has been anecdotal. It’s no surprise, then, that companies such as Universal Robots have encouraged developer ecosystems to build out software for their hardware. “Ease of use” was a mantra at Automate and ProMat last year. A host of startups, including Cognicept, Covariant, Robust AI, and Southie Autonomy are working on new robot “brains,” user interfaces, and robot training approaches to improve ease of use.
Collaborative robots have proven useful in welding. | Source: FANUC
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4 Mobile manipulation starts to roll out The match of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and a cobot arm seems to be made in heaven, but the technical pairings and use cases for mobile manipulation have only recently become clear. Mobile robot providers such as Mobile Industrial Robots, Omron, and Waypoint have been increasing payload capacities, allowing cobots to be mounted on their systems. IAM Robotics’ Swift is a clear leader in mobile manipulation for e-commerce, while gripper maker Soft Robotics and AMR provider 6 River Systems are collaborating on mobile picking. PAL Robotics’ TIAGo is a development platform using the Robot Operating System (ROS). Universal Robots recently demonstrated the miniPAL mobile palletizer, which uses a UR10e cobot arm, at ATX West. The CARLO movable surgical robot using a KUKA arm and the Moxi hospital robot from Diligent Robotics are examples of mobile manipulators in healthcare. KUKA has also combined its KMR 200 CR mobile robot with its LBR iiwa cobot for handling silicon wafers in cleanrooms. While these robots’ endurance levels may be limited compared with stationary models, they are clearly designed for greater autonomy and closer proximity to people. Toyota Research Institute and others are chasing the holy grail of service robotics -- a mobile manipulator for home or general-purpose use. THE ROBOT REPORT
3/10/20 7:35 AM
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The Robot Report
Swift is a collaborative mobile piece-picking robot. | Source: IAM Robotics
5 Industrial automation and cobots converge A common criticism of collaborative robots is that they lack the speed and precision of their industrial cousins. But what if “collaborative” was a feature rather than a type of robot? Veo Robotics Inc. has been developing systems that it said “bring perception and intelligence to industrial robots.” The Waltham, Mass.-based company’s FreeMove system combines 3D timeof-flight sensors and fail-safe software to enable industrial arms to move at full speed until a human approaches a workcell. Then, the robot automatically slows or stops. Drishti Technologies Inc. is working with DENSO Corp. on applying computer vision to the entire production system, including both humans and robots, for maximum productivity. The Center for Robotics and Biosystems at Northwestern University is developing ways for robots and people to communicate even more directly as they jointly handle objects. The coming year should be interesting, as robots continue to get smarter and more collaborative, as well as spread in manufacturing and beyond. Editor’s note: Watch Collaborative Robotics Trends, a sibling site to The Robot Report and Design World, for ongoing coverage of cobot developments.
The Veo FreeMove ADK is designed to enable developers to build process steps for both humans and industrial robots. | Source: Veo Robotics
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Robotics Robotics
CGI Inc. Advanced Products for Robotics and Automation At CGI we serve a wide array of industries including medical, robotics, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, industrial automation, motion control, and many others. Our core business is manufacturing precision motion control solutions. CGI’s diverse customer base and wide range of applications have earned us a reputation for quality, reliability, and flexibility. One of the distinct competitive advantages we are able to provide our customers is an engineering team that is knowledgeable and easy to work with. CGI is certified to ISO9001 and ISO13485 quality management systems. In addition, we are FDA and AS9100 compliant. Our unique quality control environment is weaved into the fabric of our manufacturing facility. We work daily with customers who demand both precision and rapid turnarounds.
ISO QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: ISO 9001• ISO 13485 • AS9100 • ITAR SIX SIGMA AND LEAN PRACTICES ARE EMBRACED DAILY WITHIN THE CULTURE
CGI Inc. 3400 Arrowhead Drive Carson City, NV 89706 Toll Free: 1.800.568.4327 Ph: 1.775.882.3422 Fx: 1.775.882.9599 WWW.CGIMOTION.COM
Digi-Key Electronics
KUKA KR3 AGILUS Robot Kit
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KUKA’s KR3 AGILUS Robot offers customers flexibility due to its small and compact size. Customers can easily implement the KR3 into a pre-existing workspace where real estate is limited, such as a laboratory or detail-oriented assembly line. The Robot also comes pre-plumbed for pneumatic accessories. Digi-Key now carries the KR3 as a complete kit. The kit includes the Robot arm, the SmartPad (teaching pendant), the KR C4 (Control Unit), cabling, and the recovery USB; basically, everything short of the end effector. For end effectors, please take a look at Digi-Key’s offering of Schunk products. Features
• Maximum reach: 541 mm • Rated payload: 3 kg • Pose repeatability: ±0.02 mm • Number of axes: six
Digi-Key Electronics 701 Brooks Ave S Thief River Falls, MN 56701 Phone: 1.800.344.4539 Web: www.digikey.com Email: sales@digikey.com
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Harmonic Drive FHA Actuator with Integrated Servo Drive Just Released: FHA mini actuator with an integrated servo drive utilizing CANopen® communication. Eliminating the need for an external servo drive, it features a single cable connection with only 4 wires needed: CANH, CANL, +24VDC, 0VDC. A single-turn 14bit (16384 cpr) gear output sensing encoder has been integrated along with a single-turn 15bit (32768 cpr) motor input sensing encoder providing a true absolute encoder that does not require a battery within 360° of rotation of the output. The FHA-C mini Series is a family of extremely compact actuators that deliver high torque with exceptional accuracy and repeatability. 247 Lynnfield Street Peabody, MA 01960 United States www.harmonicdrive.net
Harmonic Drive is a registered trademark of Harmonic Drive Systems
Honeywell Intelligrated® Robotic Solutions By leveraging advanced robotic technology with extensive material handling experience, warehouse automation solutions from Honeywell Robotics provide the speed, accuracy and efficiency to satisfy a broad and growing range of operational requirements. Innovative designs, simulation tools that predict performance before installation, application expertise and committed support ensure maximum dependability and round-the-clock productivity. Robotic solutions also relieve workers of some of the most arduous, repetitive and injury-prone tasks, freeing up limited labor for more rewarding, higher-value jobs. Best of all, Honeywell Robotics solutions can be leveraged as part of larger integrated systems, backed by proven integration and support capabilities. Honeywell Intelligrated is recognized by the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) as a Certified Robot Integrator, with more than a quarter-century of experience providing single-source robotic solutions for high-performance distribution and manufacturing operations. From system concepting, simulation, fabrication and integration to installation and commissioning, training and ongoing support, each solution is approached with a comprehensive lifecycle view to maximize the value of your system.
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Honeywell Intelligrated 1.866.936.7300
www.intelligrated.com
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Robotics Robotics
maxon Drive Systems for Robotics Reliable, Powerful, Efficient A complete joint actuation unit. Includes a brushless DC motor, an internal high resolution encoder, planetary gearhead with absolute encoder and position controller with CAN and RS232 interface. Exoskeleton Joint Actuator • Compact Housing • Integrated Controller • Reduced Weight and Cost • For Use in Hip and Knee Exoskeletons maxon is your single source for motion solutions. When you choose maxon,
maxon precision motors, inc.
you can expect outstanding service, creative options and quality without
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question. Want to get your ideas moving? Contact maxon today.
Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508.677.0520
Learn more about the maxon solutions and visit www.maxongroup.us
www.maxongroup.us info.us@maxongroup.com
SIMPLIFY CONVEYOR LAYOUTS WITH MK’S CAD360! Robots and conveyors go together. Conveyors safely and effectively bring parts in and out of robotic work cells. When you’re designing your next robot project you need fast and easy access to conveyor models to complete your layout. With mk’s CAD360! you can simply and easily: • configure conveyor models from a single screen • download models in a variety of 3D formats • and request a quote (if necessary). CAD360! allows you to configure a single conveyor or an entire conveyor system. Try CAD360! today to experience the ultimate conveyor configurator.
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mk North America, Inc. 105-125 Highland Park Drive Bloomfield, CT 06002 ®
www.mkCAD360.com (860) 769-5500 info@mknorthamerica.com
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SICK, Inc. New Ultra-Compact Safety Laser Scanner – nanoScan3 A new ultra-compact safety laser scanner is now available from SICK that revolutionizes safe navigation for small AGVs or mobile robots. With an overall height just over three inches, the nanoScan3 is a space-saving sensor that can be used where machines and vehicles require maximum performance, but have minimal mounting space. Product benefits:
• • • • •
Small housing, measuring only 3.15 inches in height Two pairs of OSSD safety outputs Up to 128 freely configurable fields and monitoring cases Direct static and encoder inputs for flexible monitoring case switching Protective field range of three meters with a scanning angle of 275-degrees
• High-precision measurement data output for navigation support via Ethernet interface
• Maximum detection reliability even when subject to challenging ambient conditions
SICK, Inc. 6900 West 110th St. Minneapolis, MN 55438 USA www.sick.com info@sick.com
JUNE 23-24, 2020
San Jose McEnery Convention Center San Jose, CA
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robobusiness.com
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