Automation, Controls and Technology News

What is the role of industrial automation in a ‘Smart Factory’?

What is the role of industrial automation in a ‘Smart Factory’?

An expert panel discussion at this year’s Manufacturing Automation and Robotics Summit explored what role physical technology has in creating intelligent, connected factories of the future.

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What Jenga can teach robots about industrial automation

Industrial Robotics

What Jenga can teach robots about industrial automation

A team of MIT engineers developed a system that robots can use to play Jenga.

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Multiple 3D methods ease industrial automation applications

3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing

Multiple 3D methods ease industrial automation applications

Many 3D vision techniques are used for robot guidance and industrial inspection applications. More often than not, it is necessary to empower robots with the ability to become autonomous, identify, pick and place parts and collaboratively work with human operators. To accomplish this requires that such systems employ a number of machine vision techniques including photogrammetry, stereo vision, structured light, Time of Flight (TOF) and laser triangulation techniques to perform the task of localizing and measuring objects. Figure 1: 6 River Systems’ collaborative automation warehouse robot, known as Chuck, uses TiM LiDAR sensors from SICK to build a map of the environment...

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How will ergonomics enable the future of industrial automation?

How will ergonomics enable the future of industrial automation?

  The scientific knowledge and methods used in ergonomics and human factors provides the ability to understand users, consumers and systems; to design new manufacturing technology, develop innovative and marketable products and services; improve operational efficiency; manage the ageing workforce; and improve health and safety.   Ergonomics and human factors have always been important to manufacturing. Ever since the industrial revolution forced people and machinery together in large-scale mass-production factory environments, sociotechnical problems began to emerge and have had to be dealt with. A similar need is arising in industry today with the uptake of Industry 4.0 technologies like collaborative...

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Repair Your PLCs Don’t Throw Them Away

Allen Bradley PLC Repair

Repair Your PLCs Don’t Throw Them Away

Repair is better for the environment than replacing.

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