Kuka’s autonomous KMR iiwa robot combines the company’s collaborative LBR iiwa robot with a flexible, mobile platform to meet Industry 4.0 requirements and modern production challenges. The company’s Sunrise multi-functional controller enables easy operation of

Automating processes with robotics can have numerous benefits, but robots require programming, a typically manual process that can be complex and lead to costly problems like collisions. The NASA Advanced Composites Project is working on a process that not only automates inspection of airplane fusel

LNS America’s GT 112-E automatic magazine bar feeder has been designed for sliding headstock machines running unattended or lights-out production using small bar stock with diameters ranging from 0.8 to 12.7 mm. A dual, U-shaped guiding channel system, a  sectional cover, and a sel

Liebherr Automation Systems is displaying its PHS Allround pallet handling system, designed for enabling flexible production in combination with four- and five-axis machining centers. The modular concept, available in three capacities, can handle loads up to three tons, is extremely f

Lang Technovation’s Robo-Trex Automation System is the company’s first automation based on the company’s smaller, 52-mm Quick-Point system. The Robo-Trex system can be attached to new or existing machine tools. Loading is done through the machine door or an

Automated Cells & Equipment’s MD Mate is a simple, drop-in machine tending solution for small lathes, mills and grinders. The drawer-based part presentation system enables parts to be placed onto simple fixtures located within each of the four included sliding drawers, the company say

Lexair Inc.’s Unload Pro 80-1200 subspindle part unloader can handle unloading solid or tubing finished parts, ranging to 80 mm (3.15") diameter and ranging to 1.2 m (48") length. Subspindle extensions are available. The unloader is equipped with an incline

Fastems LLC has designed a line of automation systems to handle shorter product lifecycles, higher product mixes and lower volumes. The product line includes FMS One, a configurable machine tool pallet automation system, and RoboFMS One, a flexible manufacturing system with&

Fastems LLC’s automation products are designed to handle high-mix, low-volume production. Products on display include the company’s FMS One fully-configurable, machine tool pallet automation system, Manufacturing Management Software (MMS) for manually-operated work cells and robotic

Index introduces its bar loader to pair with its multi-spindle machines for increased turning quality. An optimized bar guide is designed to increase productivity and dynamics and to reduce cycle times. The bar feeder uses a pusher with an internal collet, enabling individual adjustment of the

Representatives from machine shops and automation integrators recently gathered at TechSolve Inc., a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturing consultant with expertise in advanced machining for a half-day seminar on the Robotization of Manufacturing. It was the second in a series of seminars by TechSolv

Universal Robots’s UR3e, UR5e and UR10e E-series collaborative robot arms enable faster development for a wider variety of applications, offer easier programming than previous models and meet the latest ISO safety standards, the company says. With built-in, tool-

An important question circling around manufacturing right now is how job shops and other producers will address the skills gap that is expected to hit the industry with a shortage of two million workers in the next ten years. Two proposed answers, not mutually exclusive, are robots and educatio

Kuka’s KMP 1500 is an autonomously-controlled, omnidirectional mobile platform that can independently transport products through all process steps. The company’s built-in navigation system is said to eliminate the risk of collision and to enable autonomous motion of the platform wit

Midaco has expanded its line of pallet changers to accommodate high-volume, large, precision parts machined to tight tolerances for the aerospace, energy, automotive, medical, military, power generation, and oil and gas industries. The pallet changers are designed to elimi

This year’s Medical Design & Manufacturing Expo West (MD&M West) show in Anaheim, California, featured various new technologies that can enable manufacturers of medical components to become more efficient and effective. From 3D-printing hardware to automation solutions to tableto

Creaform has launched the R-Series Productivity Station and the R-Series Autocalibration Kit. Both are upgrades to its robotic metrology dimensional measurement solution, which offers an efficient alternative to traditional shopfloor CMMs. The MetraScan 3D R-Series solution enables manufacturing co

FANUC America’s Robot LINKi Zero Down Time (ZDT) service is now available to all manufacturers who purchase the company’s robots. ZDT is a predictive analytic service that identifies potential failures so that customers can schedule maintenance and repairs, avoiding

Eckhart, founded in 1958 as a supplier to global manufacturers, has opened a 47,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Center in Warren, Michigan. It will serve as a technology showcase, including engineering and assembly of Autocraft autonomous guided vehicles, which aim to transfo

In a Q&A session at Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops Conference, representatives of three Top Shops Honors Program winners—Land Sea Air Manufacturing, Richards Industries and X-L Machine Co.—all were asked, “What is the next big thing for your shop?” The video clip