Archiv der Kategorie: Industrial Robots

Robot Race: The World´s Top 10 automated countries

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Jan 27, 2021 — The average robot density in the manufacturing industry hit a new global record of 113 units per 10,000 employees. By regions, Western Europe (225 units) and the Nordic European countries (204 units) have the most automated production, followed by North America (153 units) and South East Asia (119 units).

The world´s top 10 most automated countries are: Singapore (1), South Korea (2), Japan (3), Germany (4), Sweden (5), Denmark (6), Hong Kong (7), Chinese Taipei (8), USA (9) and Belgium and Luxemburg (10). This is according to the latest World Robotics statistics, issued by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

“Robot density is the number of operational industrial robots relative to the number of workers,” says Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “This level measurement allows comparisons of countries with different economic sizes in the dynamic automation race over time.”

The country with the highest robot density by far remains Singapore with 918 units per 10,000 employees in 2019. The electronics industry, especially semiconductors and computer peripherals, is the primary customer of industrial robots in Singapore with shares of 75% of the total operational stock.

South Korea comes second with 868 units per 10,000 employees in 2019. Korea is a market leader in LCD and memory chip manufacturing with companies such as Samsung and LG on top and also a major production site for motor vehicles and the manufacturing of batteries for electric cars.

Japan (364 robots per 10,000 employees) and Germany (346 units), rank third and fourth respectively. Japan is the world´s predominant robot manufacturing country – where even robots assemble robots: 47% of the global robot production are made in Nippon. The electrical and electronics industry has a share of 34%, the automotive industry 32%, and the metal and machinery industry 13% of the operational stock. Germany is by far the largest robot market in Europe with 38% of Europe’s industrial robots operating in factories here. Robot density in the German automotive industry is among the highest in the world. Employment in this sector rose continuously from 720,000 people in 2010 to almost 850,000 people in 2019.

Sweden remains in 5th position with a robot density of 274 units operating with a share of 35% in the metal industry and another 35% in the automotive industry.

Robot density in the United States increased to 228 robots. In 2019, the US car market was again the second largest car market in the world, following China, with the second largest production volume of cars and light vehicles. Both USA and China are considered highly competitive markets for car manufacturers worldwide.

The development of robot density in China continues dynamically: Today, China’s robot density in the manufacturing industry ranks 15th worldwide. Next to car production, China is also a major producer of electronic devices, batteries, semiconductors, and microchips.

RoboGym – Revolutionary training not just for top athletes

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How will the technologies available today impact tomorrow’s fitness training? Can robots help us pump iron and get improved training results? What do high-performance sports, weightlifting for seniors, and rehabilitation all have in common?

That’s precisely what the RoboGym development team is dealing with, along with similar questions in a research project entitled RoSylerNT, which is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Over the past three years, the experts at RWTH Aachen University, the German Sport University Cologne, and BEC GmbH have jointly developed a multifunctional, robotic weightlifting device that will, on the one hand, help athletes to increase their own performance even further and to shorten the recuperation period following an injury. On the other hand, individual adjustments to the requirements of the person exercising also make it suitable for training in later years in a way that’s gentle on the joints and thus preserves muscle strength and prevents injuries.


A robot as training partner

The systems available on the market today only allow for individual exercises such as rowing or leg presses. And that means doing several repetitions of the same movement with a fixed weight. To get more efficient and gentler training, however, it’s necessary for training to be ergonomically adapted to the person’s anatomy and for the forces to be tuned to protect the joints. Sure, there are high-performance training machines on the market, but adjusting the settings can be quite a hassle, freedom of movement is largely restricted, and as a result the range of exercises is limited. Where these systems reach their limits is where a robot as your perfect training partner begins.


RoboGym is a big improvement over conventional training methods in many ways, since the system actively and dynamically adapts to your anatomy and thus helps noticeably increase the effectiveness of the training. For example, the resistance and the movements of the robot can be specially adapted to the athlete for different positions and points in time. To do this, the applied muscle force is recorded, the stress on the joints is calculated, and the robot’s movements are then adjusted – all in real time. If the force exerted on the knee joint is too much, then the robot reduces the weight. Contrarily, if more weight is better for building muscle elsewhere in the body, the robot adjusts the weight accordingly.


Weightlifting with a digital twin

With the digital twin, anatomical, functional and performance-related parameters of the athlete are brought together in a biomechanical muscle and skeletal model. The training exercises can be individually adapted based on these metrics. During the training session, all data and weights are displayed in real time and saved in the cloud. Since a huge amount of data is produced and collected, much more precise filtering is naturally possible, allowing the forces actually applied and the training performance to be seen more precisely during each part of the exercise. This lets you adapt your fitness routine to your own individual needs. Stored training data and system settings can be accessed on every RoboGym machine for every new training session. That’s one advantage that top athletes who travel a lot really appreciate. For more information, visit http://www.robogym.de

Safe and versatile

To be able to put an industrial robot to use as a training partner, in addition to lots of experience in the fields of medical technology and human-robot interaction, takes intelligent configuration of various monitoring mechanisms. Working inside RoboGym is a robot from Augsburg-based KUKA AG, which, in addition to the necessary safety features, also offers high-performance real-time control. This makes training not only more efficient, but also safe. 

igus low cost automation: Mask dispensers – save costs with the right robot

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First published on igus Blog.
Due to the current situation with the Covid-19 virus, protective masks are our daily companion, whether in the supermarket or when visiting the doctor. Whether self-sewn or produced masks, almost everyone has at least one mask for their own needs. But what can you do if you have forgotten the mask and still have to go shopping?

More and more vending machines are being placed in front of shops in order to ensure admission. These dispensers are constructed similarly to toy vending machines as seen in fairgrounds. There a robot grips a desired toy and brings it to the delivery point.

A Pick&Place application can be seen here:

igus robot kinematics for cost-effective and fast automation

Robot kinematics from igus are ideally suited to such machines. Whether the delta robot, which enables lightning-fast dispensing with a dynamic of 60 picks/min, or the modular linear robot , where the customer can choose the length, are an ideal solution. igus robots are a cost-effective solution and offer a fast return on investment.

Delta robots from igus for cost-effective pick and place applications.

Delta robot is suitable for mask dispensers

Also known as parallel or spider robot. This is because it consists of three linear systems that are built up to form a centre. The delta robot is characterised by its speed. It achieves up to 60 picks per minute. The delta kinematics are optimal for pick and place applications, e.g. in the food, electronics and pharmaceutical industries. The delta robot is suitable for mask dispensers. On request, igus supplies a finished control concept with the igus Robot Control system.

You can find out which robot type is best suited for your application in our blog post.

About the author:
Maxine Schütz
robolink Technical Sales

Tech Vision: How Boston Dynamics Built The Most Advanced Robot

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The following video has been uploaded to YouTube by tech vision. I think it has all the information you need about Boston Dynamics robots and is therefore a must-see.

e-spool flex für eine unterbrechungsfreie Panel-Zuführung an Industrierobotern

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Robotik-Dienstleister ARAGON Industrieelektronik GmbH verwendet einen neuen schleifringfreien Kabelabroller von igus



Köln, 6. Januar 2021 – Sie sind die Schaltzentrale für den Roboter: Bedienpanels. Damit sie flexibel eingesetzt werden können, muss ihre Leitung nicht nur einige Meter lang, sondern auch beweglich und sicher verstaut sein. Hierfür hat igus die e-spool flex entwickelt. Die neue igus Kabeltrommel kommt ohne Schleifring aus und kann so selbst Bus-Signale unterbrechungsfrei führen. Die Leitung lässt sich auch einfach nachträglich in das System einsetzen. Vorteile, die den Robotik-Dienstleister ARAGON überzeugt haben. Er bietet als Service für seine Industrieroboter ein Kabel-Komplettset an, bestehend aus e-spool flex mit einer Standardleitung sowie einer vormontierten Panelhalterung.



Alten Robotern neues Leben einhauchen, das ist die Aufgabe der ARAGON Industrieelektronik GmbH. Der führende Anbieter für Industrierobotik bietet weltweit Lösungen rund um die Reparatur, Wartung, den Retrofit und das Tuning von Industrierobotern an. Die Kunden finden sich in kleineren Betrieben, die bis zu 10 Robotersysteme einsetzen. Aber auch größere Unternehmen und OEMs im Bereich Automotive setzen auf die Expertise des Robotik-Spezialisten. Speziell für den Einsatz an Bedienpanels suchte das Unternehmen nach einer praktischen Lösung für die Leitungen: „Wir sind stets bestrebt, die Sicherheit unserer Kunden durch innovative Lösungen zu gewährleisten. Bisher lag das Kabel immer auf dem Boden, wurde schnell beschädigt und stellte eine Stolperfalle dar. Daher waren wir auf der Suche nach einem Kabelaufroller, der unterbrechungsfrei, einfach und schnell nachrüstbar ist“, erklärt Iryna Geike, Global Country Manager bei ARAGON. Fündig wurde das Unternehmen bei igus. „Uns wurde das neue Kabelaufrollsystem e-spool flex vorgestellt und es hat uns direkt überzeugt“, erinnert sich Iryna Geike. Der wesentliche Vorteil der e-spool flex gegenüber anderen Kabelwicklern liegt darin, dass kein Schleifring zum Einsatz kommt. So können auch Medien, Daten und die Strom- und Signalversorgung des Not-Aus-Tasters in das System integriert werden. Bereits bestehende Panelleitungen lassen sich einfach in die Schneckenführung des Systems einlegen und werden automatisch aufgerollt. „Unsere Kunden erhalten nun für ihre Bedienpanels ein vormontiertes Set bestehend aus e-spool flex, ARAGON Panelhalterung, Leitung und einem Bügel zur Befestigung an den Roboterschaltschränken. Mit der e-spool flex verlängern wir die Lebensdauer der eingesetzten Leitung deutlich und sorgen für mehr Sicherheit und Ordnung an den Bedienpanels“, erklärt Iryna Geike.



Kabel auf- und abrollen: automatisch oder von Hand

Die e-spool flex bietet igus in mehreren Varianten an. Als Low-Cost-Version mit einem Handdreher oder einem Akkuschrauber zum Aufwickeln der Leitung, als automatische Lösung mit einem federgetriebenen Rückholmechanismus und einer Rastfunktion sowie optional mit einer Einlaufbremse. ARAGON entschied sich für die Variante mit einer Rückholfeder. Der Kabelroller ist in drei Größen erhältlich, für Leitungen mit einem Durchmesser von 5 bis 15 Millimetern mit einer Auszugslänge von 5 bis 15 Metern. Sie lassen sich jederzeit schnell tauschen. Neben einer nachträglichen Integration der e-spool flex mit einem bestehenden Kabel, bietet igus die Kabeltrommel auch bereits fertig konfektioniert mit speziell für den bewegten Einsatz ausgelegten chainflex Leitungen an. Die Langlebigkeit der Leitungen in der e-spool flex wird derzeit im hauseigenen 3.800 Quadratmeter großen Testlabor ausgiebig untersucht.

Cobot-Pioneer enables modern educational didactics

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Munich, November 10, 2020 – While more and more manufacturing companies are using collaborative robots, technology has so far been treated as a secondary consideration in vocational training. Current curricula largely ignore the increasing automation. Universal Robots (UR) wants to change this: With UNIVERSAL ROBOTS EDUCATION, the world market leader in collaborative robotics has developed a holistic concept that allows training officers to easily integrate the topic into the teaching process.

„Our new concept makes it easier for training companies and vocational schools to impart relevant automation knowledge in a practical way“, explains Andrea Alboni, Sales Manager D/A/CH at Universal Robots (Germany) GmbH. „We are thus reacting to an acute discrepancy between training content and professional practice. We finally need up-to-date training directly on the robot in order to qualify the skilled workers of tomorrow for working in modern manufacturing contexts“.

Five modules for hands-on learning


UNIVERSAL ROBOTS EDUCATION is a didactically holistic concept. On the one hand, the measures contained in the program pick up both teachers and those responsible for training as well as students by creating the necessary knowledge base on both sides. On the other hand, theory and practice go hand in hand to ensure the greatest possible learning success. Under these premises, the concept is divided into five building blocks:
  • In the free online training courses of the UR Academy, trainees learn the basics of programming.
  • With the help of the offline simulator they practice programming on their PC, on the UR user interface. Afterwards, the created program can be tested on a real Cobot.
  • The hardware learning stations each include a real robot arm on which trainees can safely try out various applications.
  • Teaching materials support the teachers in their lesson planning and offer students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge.
  • In face-to-face training sessions, teachers and training officers train themselves to prepare for teaching with Cobots.

Specialists for the industry of tomorrow


„In many areas of the working world, collaborating robots are already part of the standard inventory today,“ Alboni is convinced. „If companies take this to heart in their training operations, they not only give their trainees a clear knowledge advantage. At the same time, they are investing in their own future, because skilled workers with robotics know-how are increasingly essential for competitive success – now also beyond the manufacturing industry in logistics, trade or the laboratory sector.

Modernizing training in SMEs

With the new concept universal robot addresses itself beside vocational schools also to small and medium-size training enterprises. These companies play a central role in the German apprenticeship system: around 80 percent of apprentices in Germany complete their training there. Thanks to the space-saving, profitable lightweight robotics from Universal Robots, automation is now also affordable for SMEs. The industry pioneer has thus sustainably lowered access barriers. Since entering the market in 2008, Universal Robots has sold more than 46,000 Cobots that make the work of employees in companies around the world easier.

https://www.universal-robots.com/de/education/

Translated with www.DeepL.com

Ein Roboter, der Nässe trotzt: der neue robolink IP44 von igus

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igus entwickelt Low Cost Automation Lösung aus Kunststoff und Edelstahl für Umgebungen mit Spritzwasser

Köln, 16. November 2020 – Feuchte und nasse Umgebungen können schnell die Mechanik eines Roboters angreifen. Daher hat igus jetzt eine Low Cost Automation Neuheit auf den Markt gebracht, die leicht und kostengünstig einfache Aufgaben umsetzen kann und gleichzeitig mit Spritzwasser in Kontakt treten darf.

„Aus den Kundengesprächen konnten wir erfahren, dass viele Anwender eine wirtschaftlich erschwingliche Lösung suchen, die auch in Spritzwasser-Umgebungen einsetzbar ist, zum Beispiel wenn Emulsionen entfernt werden müssen“, erklärt Alexander Mühlens, Leiter Automatisierungstechnik bei der igus GmbH. „Wir haben dann einen Roboter entwickelt, der hierfür geeignet ist.“ Der neue robolink macht sich die Vorteile von zwei Materialien zunutze: Edelstahl und Hochleistungskunststoffe. Dabei bestehen die Verbindungselemente, erstmalig bei einem igus Roboter, aus rostfreiem V2 oder V4 Edelstahl und die Gelenke aus den bewährten schmiermittelfreien Tribopolymeren. Der Anwender benötigt keine teure zusätzliche Abdeckung, denn durch den Verzicht auf eine Schmierung in den Gelenken kann sich kein Fett auswaschen und in die Umwelt gelangen. Der neue robolink erfüllt mindestens die Schutzklasse IP44 und ist damit beständig gegen Spritzwasser. Er hat kann bis zu drei Kilogramm tragen, besitzt mit fünf Achsen eine Reichweite von 790 Millimetern und setzt 7 Picks die Minute um. Durch den Einsatz von Motoren mit Encodern der Schutzklasse IP65 lässt sich der Roboter problemlos auch zur Inspektion im Außenbereich einsetzen. Weitere Anwendungsszenarien sind zum Beispiel in der Lebensmittel- und Getränkeindustrie, im Bereich Chemie und Pharma oder auch der Tank- und Behälterreinigung möglich.

Sehen Sie jetzt den spritzwassergeschützten robolink mit Alexander Mühlens im Video: https://youtu.be/WXm8gO6QxWQ

One America Works Highlights Thriving Robotics Industry in Pittsburgh Through Virtual Recruitment Event

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SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) OCTOBER 27, 2020

To help continue to expand the Steel City’s world-class robotics and engineering expertise, One America Works, an organization that bridges the divide between Silicon Valley and emerging tech hubs across the U.S., is convening more than a dozen of the top robotics companies for its second Pittsburgh-based virtual recruitment event on November 13th, to help fill more than 100 available jobs. With high quality technical and business positions available, this event will showcase the opportunities available in Pittsburgh and attract both local talent and national talent looking to relocate from higher cost cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Boston and New York City to work in an emerging innovative tech hub with lower cost of living, higher quality of life and lots of professional opportunity.

What: Virtual Recruiting Event for Pittsburgh-Based Robotics Positions
When: November 13th from 11 am – 4 pm ET
Participants will be assigned a specific time slot to meet companies one-on-one.
Where: Register at https://oneamericaworks.org/robotics_recruiting_event/ by November 8th

“As we continue to see tech workers willingness to move away from traditional tech hub coastal cities in favor of mid-sized regional cities, Pittsburgh has become a key destination for top talent considering relocating, thanks to its thriving innovation driven culture, high quality of life and affordable cost of living,” said Patrick McKenna, founder of One America Works. “The city has established itself as a clear leader within the highly skilled robotics industry with both Big Tech and startups committing to the Steel City, in collaboration with the local talent and research resources available through the top-tier universities.”

Founded by Patrick McKenna – an entrepreneur and investor with experience co-founding, operating and investing in several highly successful technology companies – One America Works is bridging the divide in America by spearheading connections between high-growth companies looking to expand and emerging regions across the U.S. that provide high-quality talent and investment opportunities. And this concept is gaining momentum as it creates hundreds of jobs in emerging hubs around the country. Through a successful 2019 pilot program in Pittsburgh, One America Works is responsible for creating over 250 jobs and filling nearly 80 positions over the course of six months. The 501c3 non-profit is leveraging a grant from RK Mellon Foundation to expand into new emerging tech cities this year. To showcase well-paying innovation jobs in the Steel City and across the Heartland, One America Works has hosted a series of popular virtual recruitment events across America this year in Columbus, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.

„Over the last decade, Pittsburgh has seen a revitalization, due in part to the success of the local tech scene in the region. The city has been able to reinvent itself as an emerging tech hub while still remaining an affordable and vibrant area,” said Joel Reed, Executive Director, [Pittsburgh Robotics Networ k. “There are many exciting, innovative robotics companies that have come as a result of the local talent and research resources that make this city such an amazing place to live, play and work.“

Employers attending the fair to hire for Pittsburgh-based robotics talent include IAM Robotics, Honeywell, Locomation, NREC, Qinetiq, Agility Robotics, RE2 Robotics, Near Earth Autonomy, CapSen Robotics, ESTAT Actuation, Komodo Analytics, SKA, Neya Systems, Bloomfield Robotics and more.

About One America Works
One America Works is a non-profit organization that connects growth companies and talented people across the country, bringing the country together around common goals and values. Founded by entrepreneur and investor Patrick McKenna in 2018, One America Works addresses the geographic economic divide across America by introducing innovative technology companies to new sources of talent located in middle American cities, to bring more people in more places into the modern economy. For more about One America Works, visit oneamericaworks.org or follow the organization on LinkedIn or Twitter.

About the Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN)
The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) represents the companies and leaders who make up the Pittsburgh robotics ecosystem, which is anchored by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and driven by 100+ robotics organizations, including the worldwide leaders in autonomous vehicle development. It is the PRN’s mission to accelerate the adoption of robotic solutions by bridging this large and dynamic community to the world. We do this by making connections, expanding our collective knowledge, and positively influencing the development and adoption of robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Igus Robolink Programming Session #1

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My workplace for today was kind of different. Thanks @igusgmbh (https://www.igus.de/robolink/roboter) for making this possible. I am learning a lot about robot programming today. I wish I could have such a powerful robot next to my desk any given day.