Developments

Hexagon and Authentise partner to deliver first open end-to-end software for additive manufacturing

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and Authentise have partnered to extend the Additive Manufacturing (AM) control loop from the machine level to connect the end-to-end value chain from design, manufacturing operations and quality assurance to make additive manufacturing more predictable, repeatable and traceable. Data from shopfloor manufacturing operations, engineering data from the design phase, materials properties and quality data from validation and inspection processes hold the key to automating serial production improvements and enabling design improvements. However, the technical challenge of connecting these silos and applying these data have inhibited the ability to consistently apply AM to new designs. New solutions delivered through the partnership will apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) with Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to mitigate waste and quality issues during the design phase and improve the repeatability of additive manufacturing processes within a site or between global locations. Through the partnership, Hexagon and Authentise will build solutions to industrialise AM technology by digitising every step of the workflow from part design through production to final product and quality assurance utilising their unique stack of technology capabilities to connect the digital thread of a part and trace its pedigree. This is made possible by a shared commitment to open architectures that integrate data and automate workflows between Hexagon´s best-of-breed applications for AM and the third-party equipment and software manufacturers chose to use. Mathieu Pérennou, Global Business Development Director Additive Manufacturing, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division says, “Together with Authentise, we are building a next-generation framework for our customers to manage flexible, fully digitised production workflows in private cloud environments. “For manufacturers, AM is a complex and changing market with many excellent tools, printers and materials to apply. We believe our open and flexible systems will enable us to respond quickly to customer’s needs and integrate with […]

Hypertherm-Releases-Major-Version-Update-Of-Robotmaster-Robot-Programming-Software-e1587636836929

Major version update of Robotmaster robotic software now available

Hypertherm has released Robotmaster Version 7.4. This offline robot programming software version contains several enhancements designed to further simplify robotic programming, including: Major enhancements to Remote Tool Center Point (RTCP) that allow for an improved end user experience and exploit the full capabilities of any robotic cell. Additions to the surface paths with added strategies and advanced tools for applications such as polishing, grinding, deburring and more. The surface paths are designed to tie-in perfectly with the enhancements to RTCP or traditional configurations for robotic finishing. Faster processing times when saving, loading, and calculating jobs, plus improved real time feedback during simulation for faster part programming times. Enhancement to the Robotmaster Interactive Simulation Environment (RISE), delivering a more realistic simulation for external axes, along with tools to better control motion between the robot and external axes. “With Robotmaster V7.4 we’ve responded to our customer base with features and enhancements that we believe take a big step forward,” explained Garen Cakmak, leader of Hypertherm’s Robotic Software team. “Take the RTCP improvements as an example. These will allow users to realize more value from their robotic cell investment.” Building upon the redesigned V7 architecture, first introduced in 2018, Robotmaster uses integrated CAD/CAM functionality to make robotic programming easy and intuitive for everyone, even first-time users. The software is used by a wide range of industries to program robots for tasks that include surfacing, 3D milling, additive manufacturing, welding, painting, and more.

FARO introduces BuildIT 2021 Software Suite

FARO, a global leader for 3D measurement, imaging and realisation solutions, has released its most advanced BuildIT 2021 software suite, which represents the next evolution of this platform that simplifies workflows, improves performance and enhances ease of use. BuildIT offers three individual products – BuildIT Metrology, BuildIT Projector and BuildIT Construction – each designed to address the most challenging quality inspection, manufacturing and assembly or construction issues, offering the most flexible and intuitive user interfaces in their respective applications. While the BuildIT 2021 suite is integrated with FARO hardware products to ensure a best-in-class FARO solution experience, it also delivers high-quality outcomes for non-FARO hardware products. “The performance enhancements in BuildIT 2021 Software Suite are substantial,” said Vito Marone, FARO Senior Director of Software Product Marketing. “For example, by using this significant upgrade of our BuildIT Construction software, users can complete reports in five minutes or less – a process which used to take 10 minutes or more.” BuildIT Metrology 2021 features upgrades related to four key areas, including: user experience, probing, scanning and automation: Inspection annotations – Can now be defined prior to perform any measurement and then computed and populated dynamically as new measurements are added; dynamic annotations are supported for points, lines and curves, and surfaces FARO Laser Tracker Improvements – Integrates the latest SDK (software development kit) to provide a more seamless Wi-Fi experience by handling disconnections and reconnections automatically Improved GD&T (geometric distancing & tolerancing) – Runout and total runout tolerances are now supported with any DRF file extension that frees DoF (degrees of freedom) required for a proper evaluation of tolerances Faster alignment and analyses – By trading a few microns in accuracy, the alignments and analyses gets a boost in speed between 10X to 100X Auto-complete and syntax highlighting – Are now available […]

Simcenter Testlab optimises testing productivity and collaboration

Siemens Digital Industries Software announces the availability of the latest release of Simcenter Testlab software. It is part of the Simcenter portfolio of simulation and test solutions within the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of integrated software and services. The latest release includes updates to Simcenter Testlab Neo, enhanced model-based systems testing, introduces a new technology for accelerating structural dynamics called Digital Image Correlation, and frontloads analysis of full vehicle noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) during the design process. Test and simulation engineers as well as test campaign managers can benefit from this latest release for multi-disciplinary test-based performance engineering, specifically designed to offer test and simulation teams new capabilities to innovate smart products more productively. The latest developments within industry can bring innovation, but also bring new demands and requirements, including the need to achieve realistic and predictive results more efficiently than ever before. Test teams are now working closely together with simulation teams, as the ever-declining number of prototypes available calls for the use of digital twins in the early stages of development. At the same time, there is an ever present need to obtain the most information possible from massive amounts of data, collected by testing and generated by simulation. In Simcenter Testlab, test engineers have access to new technologies that can increase productivity when collecting and processing data. The effort to compare and correlate test and simulation results is minimised, and validated simulation models – digital twins – can be used during the physical testing activities to generate valuable extra data. At the same time, Simcenter Testlab provides direct data access to many simulation results formats, enabling simulation engineers to benefit from the data processing capabilities within the software as well as the consistency of selected processing functions and parameters between the physical and virtual tests. Characterising the structural behaviour of […]

Demand v Supply: Take control of your stock in 2021

By Jakes Mantle, Solutions Director at SYSPRO Australasia The famous Benjamin Franklin quote ‘by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail’ has been used many times over. As the ripples from 2020’s global events are still being felt throughout the manufacturing industry, this quote seems to add more weight to the current economic environment. Many manufacturers have adapted well but now more than ever, it is essential for manufacturers to manage their supply chain, plan to reduce waste and enhance resources. It is during challenging periods such as these that Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) can really help a manufacturing business be prepared and take control of its inventory. DDMRP is an operational supply planning and scheduling methodology. It takes much of the manual work out of planning and execution by using advanced supply chain management software to compress lead times and enhance visibility. It combines Lean’s focus on reducing waste, pull vs. push processes, and the Theory of Constraints to become a new set of demand-driven planning tactics which enable smarter decision-making across a business and the supply chain. A key feature of DDMRP is the strategic positioning and sizing of decoupling buffer stocks to manage customer lead times while reducing the impact of normal variability and improving overall flow. Decoupling stocks is like having a safe but not excess stock level so that the inventory associated with one stage of production does not slow down other parts of the manufacturing process. Taking control to the next level Whether you manufacture consumer products, food and beverage or even aerospace parts, DDMRP can help any manufacturing industry that creates made-to-order items. It is important to note that DDMRP is not the same as MRP, MRP II or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). DDMRP is a more advanced way of […]

Verizon Business takes private 5G global

Verizon Business has launched its international private 5G platform for global enterprises located in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Delivered in partnership with Nokia, the offering will enable businesses to deploy a private industrial grade dedicated 5G network capability within their premises. In addition to ultra-low latency and increased speed, a key benefit of a private 5G network is the ability for businesses, particularly those with manufacturing, distribution and logistics facilities, to deploy a customised on-site mobile network, eliminating the need to transmit data through public networks. A private 5G network is a self-contained network whose components all reside in a single facility, consisting of micro towers and small cells and connects to an organisation’s Local Area Network (LAN) and enterprise applications. It will utilise Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud, a private wireless network solution with automation enablers that will allow for application deployment through a web-based interface. Verizon has been leading global efforts around 5G. In addition to its 5G Lab and production studio in London, the Company recently announced a 5G roaming service in South Korea and is a founding member of the 5G Future Forum, a group of global 5G leaders accelerating the delivery of 5G and interoperable MEC-enabled solutions. The launch of private 5G will also enable Verizon Media to deliver its next-generation content creation, production and distribution technologies at scale and in real-time to global audiences for customers. The announcement follows recent MEC partnership announcements with Microsoft, Cisco and AWS. In August, Verizon recently announced its successful completion of lab trials with Corning and Samsung on its new 5G mmWave in-building solutions.

OnRobot 2FG7 gripper for demanding applications

OnRobot has launched the 2FG7, a complete, low cost, easy to use, out-of-the-box, cleanroom-ready parallel gripper. Designed to enable companies of all sizes to set up gripping applications at low cost, the 2FG7 can be deployed within minutes and is specially designed to handle demanding payloads – even in tight spaces. The 2FG7 gripper is ideal for low-volume, high-mix production and enables fast ROI for many different applications, including machine tending, material handling and assembly. Boasting a maximum payload of 11 kg (24.3 lb), an external grip range of up to 74 mm (2.91 in) and a gripping force of between 20-140 N, the versatile 2FG7 can handle heavy, bulky payloads with ease. Smaller than OnRobot’s RG2 and RG6 grippers – and yet more powerful than both – the 2FG7’s dimensions (156 x 158 x 180 mm/6.14 x 6.22 x 7.08 in) make it the perfect gripper for use in small work envelopes, which is a major bonus in busy manufacturing facilities where space is at a premium, and in applications with tight quarters for maneuvering. Seamlessly integrated with the OnRobot product range and compatible with all major collaborative robots and light industrial robot arms, the 2FG7 allows manufacturers of all skillsets to set up gripping applications quickly and easily. The 2FG7’s ease of use ensures visibility during the deployment process, greatly reduces the need for custom parts and cuts the time to ROI. Meanwhile, intelligent feedback features, including grip detection and lost grip detection, further simplify the deployment process. Cleanroom certified The 2FG7 is a production-ready gripper built to withstand harsh manufacturing conditions and applications. In addition to being IP67-certified, the 2FG7 has attained cleanroom certification (ISO Class 5), which is required for many handling applications in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries. It also complies with ISO/TS 15066 regarding […]

Unique plastic plain bearing applications wanted!

The manus award celebrates its tenth anniversary and introduces its first sustainability prize An offshore inspection device, a floating catamaran and a driver assistance system for people with reduced mobility. What they have in common is the extraordinary use of high-performance plastics in bearing technology with which they won the 2019 manus award. A joint initiative, which the plastics specialist igus announces every two years, is now looking for unique applications with plastic plain bearings. The winner will receive prize money of up to 5,000 euros. To mark the tenth anniversary of the manus award, the jury is offering a sustainability prize. 445 entries from 32 countries – that was for the 2019 manus award. Applications ranged from industrial environments such as asparagus harvesters and functional live-in kitchens up to laser measurement techniques in athletics. The large number of special entries did not make it easy for the jury to choose the three winners. The Scottish inventors of an offshore inspection device, the German developer of a high-speed catamaran and a French company that developed a driver assistance system to enable people with a walking disability to drive a car, were all the lucky ones. “Over 3,000 different submissions have already been received by manus from all over the world in the last 10 years. These different applications show the diverse uses of plastic plain bearings”, explains Tobias Vogel, Vice President and Head of the iglidur plain bearings & drylin linear technology division at igus GmbH and jury member of the manus award. Now the application phase for manus 2021 has begun. Four prizes – prize money of up to 5,000 euros The manus award comes with prizes of up to 5,000 euros. To mark the tenth anniversary, applicants now also have the chance to win a green manus award. […]

Emerging technologies of 2020

Microneedles for painless injections and tests These tiny needles, at no more than the depth of a sheet of paper and the width of a human hair, could bring us pain-free injections and blood testing. “Microneedles” penetrate the skin without troubling underlying nerve endings, and can be attached to syringes or patches, or even mixed into creams. They could allow blood tests to be done at home and sent to the lab or analysed on the spot. And because their use doesn’t require expensive equipment or high levels of training, testing and treatment could be delivered in under-served areas – making care more accessible. Sun-powered chemistry Making many of the chemicals we rely on requires fossil fuels. But a new approach holds the promise of reducing the sector’s emissions by using sunlight to convert waste carbon dioxide into useful chemicals. Recent developments in the sunlight-activated catalysts needed for this process are a step towards creating “solar” refineries to produce useful compounds from the waste gas, which could be turned into everything from medicines and detergents to fertilisers and textiles. Virtual patients If the goal of swapping humans for simulations to make clinical trials faster and safer sounds simple, the science behind it is anything but. Data taken from high-res images of a human organ is fed into a complex mathematical model of the mechanisms that control that organ’s function. Then, computer algorithms resolve the resulting equations and generate a virtual organ that behaves like the real thing. Such virtual organs or body systems could replace people in the initial assessments of drugs and treatments, making the process quicker, safer and less expensive. Spatial computing Spatial computing is the next step in the bringing together of physical and digital worlds we’re already seeing with virtual-reality and augmented-reality apps. As with VR […]

Soul Machines and Florence to assist tobacco users quit during Covid-19

Soul Machines has joined the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Access Initiative (AI) for Quitting Tobacco to help share WHO’s life-saving information during the Covid-19 pandemic, combat misinformation, reduce the risk of Covid-19 and help over one billion tobacco users quit. Florence, the WHO’s first digital health worker, was created using Soul Machines technology and WHO technical guidance, with support from Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud. Florence will help provide clarity and expel damaging myths around Covid-19 and will specifically address smoking and its consequences – heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases – all of which are comorbidities with Covid-19. With Florence, smokers can engage with a digital health worker to develop a quit plan and rely on a trusted source anytime and anyplace, to help them feel confident to reach their quit goals. Initially available in English, Florence will, over time, be available in all six official UN languages. Smokers are more exposed to the Covid-19 virus and are at greater risk of having severe disease complications. Although around 60% of the 1.3 billion tobacco users globally want to quit, only 30% of them have access to tools that can help them quit. As a digital health worker for WHO, Florence will help give the increasing numbers of people globally who have a desire to quit smoking during the Covid-19 pandemic a new, safe, easily accessible and engaging channel. Florence can scale seamlessly and to talk to many individual people around the world and is available 24/7 with no wait times, as a simple video stream from the cloud to any device. This frees up critical people resources and provides a user-friendly solution to an overwhelming demand for clear, concise information that can be relied on. Florence will always be available when needed and ready to engage to […]

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