Robotics and Automation

Plus One Robotics and Tompkins Robotics Announce Strategic Partnership for High-Volume Warehouse Sorting and Picking

Plus One Robotics | March 29, 2022

Plus One Robotics, a leading 3D and AI-powered vision software provider, announced a partnership with Tompkins Robotics, a global leader in robotic distribution and fulfillment automation. The two businesses collaborate to develop an automated picking solution that combines Plus One Robotics' 3D and artificial intelligence software with Tompkins Robotics' tSort technology.

Plus One's software and Tompkins AMRs will work together to provide efficient solutions for high-volume e-commerce fulfillment and distribution centers. The combined technologies provide more flexible sorting and classification of new package forms and varieties, resulting in increased throughput rates with less downtime.

“We are thrilled to be combining Plus One’s 3D and AI software with Tompkins cutting-edge robots,” said Brent Barcey, VP of Business Development for Plus One Robotics. “Supply chains and warehouses are stretched now more than ever with higher demands for faster material processing and the constant challenge of workforce shortages. This partnership will allow us to deploy scalable solutions for customers looking for significant reductions in operating times and costs.

“Joining tSort with Plus One’s induction robots is marrying two innovative and cutting-edge robotics solutions that offer end customers expedited and accurate parcel and unit sortation, The combined system will provide for greater flexibility not only in warehouses, but in distribution centers as well as restocking in stores.”

Mike Futch, President and CEO of Tompkins Robotics
Plus One presented at MODEX today, discussing the future of industrial automation and evaluating how technology enables unprecedented digitization of the supply chain. Attendees of MODEX are urged to stop by the Plus One booth #B3627 to learn more about the relationship and witness live demonstrations of the two companies' integrated systems operation.

Spotlight

Automation is improving the overall productivity of discrete manufacturing plants and facilities, delivering a range of goods from automobiles and electronics to furniture and toys to countless other items. The complexity of coordinating personnel, work procedures, material handling, and automated equipment – all while meeting production goals – make increasing digitalization and use of data across the enterprise and in production essential. Perhaps most important is the ability to put the control engineer, line worker, and design engineer in the middle of this critical data to derive actionable insights and provide real-time decision support. The constantly growing capabilities of digital technologies are creating more opportunities for discrete manufacturers to drive increasingly reliable and more efficient operations.

Spotlight

Automation is improving the overall productivity of discrete manufacturing plants and facilities, delivering a range of goods from automobiles and electronics to furniture and toys to countless other items. The complexity of coordinating personnel, work procedures, material handling, and automated equipment – all while meeting production goals – make increasing digitalization and use of data across the enterprise and in production essential. Perhaps most important is the ability to put the control engineer, line worker, and design engineer in the middle of this critical data to derive actionable insights and provide real-time decision support. The constantly growing capabilities of digital technologies are creating more opportunities for discrete manufacturers to drive increasingly reliable and more efficient operations.

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Manufacturing Technology

Michigan Robotics SMART 4.0 Successfully Completes Phase 1 Commissioning

Newswire | July 14, 2023

The University of Michigan and Applied Dynamics International (ADI) are pleased to announce the successful phase 1 commissioning of the SMART 4.0 innovation lab for manufacturing intelligence and digital twin technologies. The SMART 4.0 team tapped ADI to collaborate on the design and integration of their innovation lab to create a modular, open-architecture testbed, that offers a plug-and-play ecosystem for rapidly advancing technology. SMART 4.0 is an industry-university collaboration research and innovation lab, created by Prof. Kira Barton and Prof. Dawn Tilbury at the University of Michigan's new Department of Robotics. The mission of SMART 4.0 is to advance manufacturing intelligence technology, including Digital Twin, Internet-of-Things (IoT), Open Process Automation (OPA), and human-robot collaboration, by bringing industry and university research together, building a collaborative plug-and-play ecosystem for rapidly advancing technology, and building a platform to enable workforce development for Industry 4.0, and Manufacturing 4.0, and beyond. ADI is a digital engineering and industrial digital transformation solutions company that helps customers drive innovation within their organization using innovation testbeds, digital engineering methodologies, and real-time edge computing. The SMART 4.0 team tapped ADI to collaborate on the design and integration of their innovation lab to create a modular, open-architecture testbed, that offers a plug-and-play ecosystem for rapidly advancing technology. Furthermore, SMART 4.0 selected ADI's ADEPT edge computing and IoT connectivity software platform to provide the distributed computing and data backbone, allowing flexible plug-and-play with industrial Ethernet, connected with digital twin algorithms, and executing at the edge. During the Phase 1 effort, a real-time "Connected Factory" was established to mechanically and electrically integrate collaborative robots, CNC machines, and 3D printers into the representative manufacturing system architecture. An Open Process Automation (OPA) computing and connectivity backbone was implemented, using ADI's ADEPT edge computing software platform, to connect the following new and legacy equipment: Early phase 1 efforts included establishing an industrial Ethernet communications backbone to connect multiple and diverse equipment platforms with varying communication protocols. The SMART 4.0 computing backbone then also added the ability to run machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms and physics-based simulation models in real-time, using off-the-shelf edge computing servers, with plug-and-play connectivity between machines and algorithms. With easy access to all data within the SMART 4.0 testbed, graphic visualization panels were added, bringing real-time data dashboards, and digital twin health-monitoring indicators. Starting with a fully-functional manufacturing intelligence testbed, phase 2 will expand the lab capabilities and then demonstrate how this facility can be used to rapidly advance manufacturing technology. New lab capabilities include integration of the open-source Robot Operating System (ROS) software platform, providing hardware abstraction, configuration databasing, communications, and more. In addition, the SMART 4.0 lab will also see the addition of multiple cameras to provide optical sensing to, amongst other things, advance technology in robot-to-robot, human-to-robot, and robot-to-legacy-machine collaboration. The SMART 4.0 testbed is a state-of-the-art research testbed that incorporates a number of the latest technologies for the purpose of developing and researching digital twins for a manufacturing system. Those requirements include additive and subtractive manufacturing in one integrated testbed, flexibility and reconfigurability, ability to transition between centralized and distributed system control, wireless communication for cameras and mobile robots, robot-to-robot part transfer, human-to-robot direct interaction, integrated methods for enhanced cybersecurity, platform flexibility to accommodate third party software, and VR modeling of the complete testbed. The UofM SMART 4.0 testbed is positioned to advance smart manufacturing research through the unique use of digital twins and a flexible open architecture, for the purpose of decision-making in critical matters such as virtual commissioning, system reconfiguration, and predictive maintenance. about Applied Dynamics International Applied Dynamics is a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) company offering software, integrated systems, custom solutions, and services for industry leading projects in aerospace, marine, energy, and defense markets. Applied Dynamics'​ flagship software product, the ADEPT Framework, is used to build powerful, multi-processor, distributed real-time simulation facilities with off-the-shelf computer equipment such as PCs and I/O boards.

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3D Printing

Essentium Unveils Innovative Physical Filament Store to Transform 3D Printing in Austin

PR Newswire | August 28, 2023

Essentium, Inc., a worldwide leader in industrial additive manufacturing (AM), today announced the launch of its physical filament store in Austin, Texas. This strategic move is a direct result of the partnership Essentium recently formed with 3D-Fuel and aims to expand 3D printing possibilities and foster local maker engagement. The store not only offers premium quality USA-made filaments but also encourages collaboration and education, empowering makers to fully embrace the capabilities of 3D printing technology. The brick-and-mortar venture aims to provide technical insights, inspire innovation, and offer the latest 3D printing technology to the local community. With over four years of local filament manufacturing experience, Essentium is committed to engaging with Austin makers and sharing its expertise. There is currently no dedicated brick-and-mortar store for the 3D printing community in Austin, TX, metro. Addressing this gap, Austin 3D Printing draws insights from 3D-Fuel's success with a similar store in Fargo, ND, providing face-to-face interactions with 3D printing experts, coupled with expedited same-day printing services. The partnership expands options for 3D printing professionals, educators, and hobbyists by offering over 40 colors, including Tough Pro PLA+ and other popular filaments. The alliance ensures accessible materials, enabling diverse applications and contributing to local sustainability, all made in USA. Demonstrating environmental responsibility, Essentium will also introduce spool recycling services, allowing customers to repurpose spools, minimize waste, and support sustainability. Said Nirup Nagabandi, Ph.D., Vice President of Materials Engineering, Essentium, "Our physical filament store embodies innovation and offers cutting-edge 3D printing tech for makers. It aims to redefine accessibility, making 3D printing tangible and interactive. The store bridges technology with personal interaction, creating a dynamic space where visitors can engage with experts, receive expert material guidance, and actively participate in immersive tours that demystify the intricate process of filament production." About Essentium, Inc. Essentium, Inc. provides industrial 3D printing solutions that are disrupting traditional manufacturing processes by bringing product strength and production speed together, at scale, with a no-compromise engineering material set. Essentium manufactures and delivers innovative industrial 3D printers and materials, enabling the world's top manufacturers to bridge the gap between 3D printing and machining and embrace the future of additive manufacturing. Essentium, Inc. is AS9100 certified and ITAR registered.

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Manufacturing Technology

WPC To Establish Standards For Rapidly Expanding Light Electric Vehicle Sector

BusinessWire | September 01, 2023

The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the leading global standards development organization for wireless power standards, is turning its attention to the emerging and rapidly expanding Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) market for its next wireless charging standard and to provide consumers and manufacturers alike with improved safety and convenience. The WPC recently announced its new global standard for mobile devices with the Qi2 standard and will be launching its Ki standard for cordless kitchen appliances in 2024. The growing popularity of eBikes and electric scooters and the lack of a global charging standard for their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is an opportunity for the WPC to apply its expertise to establish a universal wireless charging standard that ensures safety, convenience, and interoperability. “A lack of a charging standard for this sector can easily lead to poor user experience and significant safety issues such as fires. A standard – like Qi2 or KI - assures consumers that their devices are safe, efficient, and interoperable with other brands,” says Paul Struhsaker, executive director of the Wireless Power Consortium. “Consumer demand for convenience and efficiency is driving universal standards. Furthermore, standards provide consumers safety and reliability – from mobile devices to LEVs.” Most eBikes and eScooters have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the same batteries that power smartphones and laptops, and can fail when damaged, overcharged, or operated in extreme temperature conditions. Batteries for LEVs though are much bigger— up to 100 times larger —than the ones in personal electronics and pose a greater risk. The popularity of LEVs surged during the pandemic and the corresponding drop in prices made them more affordable. However, inconsistent manufacturing standards and the availability of after-market chargers that may not be compatible with the battery is leading to more fires and injuries. The dominant problems with battery charging today for LEVs include: The absence of a universal standard for chargers. The connectors on the charging cable for LEVs wear out and break. There exists no mobile charging alternative. About the Wireless Power Consortium The Wireless Power Consortium leads the world in ensuring consumers, retailers, and manufacturers that they can rely on universal, interoperable standards and certifications for wireless power. Through rigorous testing and certifications, the global body is dedicated to ensuring safe, efficient, and interoperable wireless charging and wireless power.

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