ABB Robotics recently announced its sponsorship of MassRobotics, the leading innovation hub and startup accelerator for robotics in the United States. 

Facing unprecedented low unemployment figures, manufacturers of all sizes are struggling to fill repetitive and undesirable manufacturing jobs. With the help of the Section 179 tax deduction, US businesses may be able to significantly stretch their use-it-or-lose-it 2022 budgets and purchase collaborative robots to take on the repetitive manufacturing tasks that workers don’t want. Section 179 requires that qualified equipment and off-the-shelf software is purchased and placed into service by December 31, 2022, but with its unique two-week ship program, Universal Robots (UR) can make that happen. 

The tedious task of loading and unloading parts into machines has long been a bread-and-butter application for cobots gaining significant traction in the industry. With its 1,750 mm (68.9 in) reach and 20kg payload (44.1 lbs.), the new UR20  from Universal Robots greatly expands automation opportunities such as the ability to reach further into machines, tend several machines in the same cycle, and handle 25% heavier parts. Despite being UR’s heaviest robot, the UR20 is the lightest cobot in its class, weighing only 64kg (141.1 lbs.) making it both a versatile technical tool and a manual laborer.

At IMTS 2022, Stäubli Robotics will exhibit advanced robots used to help manufacturers meet new challenges and changing market demands across a range of industries worldwide. The company will present live demos recreating real-world applications in industrial manufacturing, with an emphasis on robotic machine tending.

Applied Cobotics by PBC Linear recognizes the need for consistent and engaging training programs to help scale up the existing workforce and invite a new generation into the manufacturing industry. 

FANUC recently hosted a grand opening and technology open house at its new robotics and automation headquarters in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  The new 109K square foot facility will provide sales, demonstrations, training, engineering and customer service.  The grand opening included welcome remarks from the governor of Aguascalientes and FANUC corporate executives, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, facility tours, and a large showroom filled with robotic and CNC demonstrations.

Collaborative robots can increase output and improve quality in nearly any production environment. UR cobots can be deployed quickly, with fast ROI, typically within 12 months. Universal Robots USA has released an e-book on how cobots can assist on the shop floor in the following areas: 

Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) has announced that Mark Joppru has joined the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) first mover and global market leader as the vice president of sales for the Americas. The former VP of ABB USA’s Consumer Segments and Service Robotics division started May 2, joining an organization that experienced a 42% increase in sales in 2021 over 2020 and 22% growth in the first quarter of 2022 alone.  

IBS Quality GmbH has launched the new PAM-System (Portable Automated Measurement System), a portable cobot-based 3D scanning and measurement solution, at Control, Stuttgart, Germany, May 3 -6, Hall 3, Stand 3312. The launch is in collaboration with Verisurf Software, Inc., and its integrated 3D measurement software for automated quality inspection, reporting, scanning, and reverse engineering.