by Gary Mintchell | Sep 12, 2024 | Business
As CEO of Starbucks, Howard Shultz’s vision was to make the cafes a warm and welcoming place for coffee and conversation. I’ve noticed for the past three years or so how the new CEO remodeled the cafes to make the furniture more difficult for sitting, turned the air conditioner to a lower temperature, and cranked up the music volume. All things to make them less inviting for customers to stay encouraging rather to “grab and go.”
Sales have not gone well, and suddenly the board replaced the CEO. New Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol outlined his strategic vision for the coffee giant, which includes making cafes more welcoming.
Corporate strategies change frequently.
I think Boeing is searching for some sort of new strategy. Do you think that’s going to happen?
Google and Apple face woes at the hands of the EU. But Google also has a fight with the US Department of Justice on it monopoly in search. I read someone’s analysis that it’s still the best search engine. Maybe. But I don’t think so. There is so much sponsored links and then the primacy of other commercial links (try searching for a particular hotel to check out amenities and then going to page 2 to find it).
I pay for a newsletter from MG Siegler. He writes:
Andy Kessler makes the case that the government shouldn’t break up Google as such break-ups are often pointless. And really, given enough time, the market tends to do the work itself; my point in a related column about Microsoft a few weeks back. Instead, he thinks more companies should break themselves up. By clinging on to the concept of bigness, they hold themselves back in many ways. And while Wall Street likes revenue growth, they also like spin-outs – and perhaps eventual spin-back-ins. It’s a compelling thought in our age of AI – as it was in the Cloud era which is now maturing.
I second the idea of companies intentionally breaking up. Getting bigger doesn’t work in a mature market. The added bureaucracy of size impedes innovation and agility.
This applies to the main market I covered for many years—automation. It’s a mature market. The main innovation comes from acquisitions—and those are becoming more rare. Maybe there is not much room for innovation? I could think of a few things that would shake them up if customers would buy in.
Something to consider.
by Gary Mintchell | Sep 11, 2024 | Automation, Robots
I teased about the renewal of Rethink Robotics a couple of weeks ago. This post details some of their announcements from IMTS.
Rethink Robotics Unveils Two New AMRs
With a renewed vision that aims to seamlessly integrate advanced robotics into manufacturing and logistics environments, Rethink Robotics announces the Rethink Ryder line of AMRs. Two models are available on the Rethink Ryder AMR platform. The light-duty MRE 550 model handles payloads of up to 550 kg (1212 pounds), and the heavy-duty MRE 1400 model handles payloads of up to 1400 kg (3086 pounds). Both robots come with an integrated lift function.
Seven New Cobots
The Reacher cobot line includes seven new cobot models (RE 07, 09, 13, 16, 21, 30, and 30L), handling payloads ranging from 7 to 30 kg (15–66 pounds).
RE cobots offer highest precision with ± 0.03 mm pose repeatability — suitable for even the most demanding tasks. Depending on the model, maximum speed ranges from 120 to 200 degrees per second. Reacher cobots feature collision detection to ensure workplace safety and a user-friendly, intuitive interface that feels natural and is easy to use.
Rethink Robotics’ Reacher line comes with connectivity to a wide range of accessories, such as grippers, vision systems, rails, and other end-of-arm and peripheral tools.
Detachable Mobile Manipulator Robot
Unveiling the Rethink Riser MMR. Combining a Rethink Ryder AMR with a Rethink Reacher cobot and a portable battery box allows mobile manipulation to be performed at new levels of efficiency.
The Rethink Reacher and Rethink Ryder, components of the Rethink Riser, each have their own battery packs, requiring separate charging. The Rethink Reacher offers an 22-hour uptime. The Rethink Ryder can be charged in two ways: manually or wirelessly through inductive charging. Each Ryder comes equipped with three or four battery units based on its size. If higher uptime is required, customers can request up to two additional battery units per Ryder.
The control box that comes with Reacher is a compact and integrated unit designed to manage and control the robot’s operations. This control box houses the essential electronics, including the robot’s processor, power supply, and communication interfaces. It serves as the central hub for executing commands, processing sensor data, and coordinating the robot’s movements. The Rethink Riser’s control box is added as an attachment onto the Ryder so it can fully move along with it in combination with the Reacher cobot arm.
by Gary Mintchell | Sep 11, 2024 | Automation, Robots
More robotics news emanating from IMTS, the International Manufacturing Technology Show. This from Olis Robotics who provides remote monitoring, diagnostics, and debugging across complete industrial cells thanks to PLC functionality built into the company’s flagship solution.
This sounds like the dream of 20 years ago and M2M, or machine-to-machine, technology. The problem was, and has been, reluctance of the final customer to allow third parties access to their often-proprietary operating algorithms. Not to mention security risks. But the idea of helping both OEM and user remains intriguing.
Olis provides video and telemetry-based diagnostics for industrial cells, enabling technicians to diagnose the root cause of downtime events, such as a robot failure. Immediate access to diagnostic data enables the robotic cell to be debugged quickly and remotely, slashing manufacturer downtime while empowering integrators to take on more business.
Using Olis software, users can monitor and set alerts for pre-defined runtime parameters through the PLC, including I/Os, registers, and custom tags. Common uses for PLC tags include measuring Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), monitoring cycle times, and fault detection.
For integrators, the new PLC capabilities enhance their ability to debug a system before shipping, and their ability to successfully monitor the system after deployment and remotely monitor and debug entire industrial cells.
For end users, this means reduced downtime costs –not just in cases of robot failure, but across the entire cell. The new functionality can even be used to maintain and improve standards in production throughput. For example, in an application involving a robot inserting bolts into a part, users could create an alert that indicates when the feeder is running low on bolts. The PLC can then send Olis an alert informing the operator that it’s time to refill the feeder.
by Gary Mintchell | Sep 11, 2024 | Automation, Robots
I am writing this from Phoenix while attending the annual meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. That doesn’t prevent reporting on the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS). Most of the news I’ve seen on the “automation” side concerns robotics and autonomous mobile vehicles. This news comes from Kawasaki.
Perhaps the most intriguing of their announcements concerns the shortage of skilled workforce—an educational robot platform said to be a fraction of the cost of others. Named Astorino, it equips students with the foundational skills needed for modern manufacturing.
Named after the popular open-source Arduino platform and development partner ASTOR, Astorino leverages Kawasaki Robotics’ extensive technology expertise, including hardware, firmware, control system, application software and training. The platform also supplies STL files so students can rapidly print 3D replacement parts for 99% of the robot. It weighs in at 12 kg and is powered by 110 Vac.
At the core of Astorino is a 1kg payload, 6-axis robot with a structure and programming environment nearly identical to that of a Kawasaki industrial robot. It includes a built-in control system; dedicated firmware and software; Modbus TCP and USB/Ethernet communication, and safety functions such as E-Stop and safety brakes. Motor control uses three signals (pulse/direction/enable) and steel gears reduce backlash to <5 arcmin. The robot is flexible and can also be paired with multiple options such as three kinds of grippers, a 24V IO module, a cube feeder with optical sensors and external sensors.
The base price is just $5000.
Now, we turn to industrial-grade robots introduced at the show.
CL Series
Developed in partnership with NEURA Robotics, the CL Series cobots offer industrial scale performance and speed paired with maximum protection without compromising the safety and flexibility advantages of human/robot collaboration. The CL Series cobots can operate without protective covers in crowded and harsh environments. Operating in Zero Gravity (Zero G), the CL Series cobots requires only light guidance and precise adjustments by hand to create highly efficient solutions for applications such as machine tending and welding.
Robotic Machine Tending Shelf System
This turnkey, no code, easy-to-set-up robotic machine tending solution using a modular shelf system for part feeding was developed in partnership with Hurco, a developer of CNC machining equipment. The demo features a Kawasaki RS013N robot, 16 workpieces—four fixtured to pallets and 12 held in 5th Axis LiteVises and a Hurco VM15Di CNC machine that is all operated using Hurco’s WinMax CNC Controls. The system was designed to keep up with customer demand for high-mix, low-volume parts manufacturing without the need to learn how to program a robot. Ultimately, machinists receive a safe solution that can handle a range of part sizes and volumes and can expand capacity to meet highly specific application needs.
Welding Robots
New models featured at IMTS include the BA013N and BA013L with built-in intelligence, real-time path modification, and adaptive arc welding and RTPM capabilities to help manufacturers improve quality and meet production goals.
Robofin
Developed in partnership with AMT and NEFF Automation, this versatile robotic material removal solution solves various finishing needs. RoboFin can handle diverse materials and surface types, increase abrasive life up to 3X, and provide unrivaled precision and consistency to deliver the same high-quality output every time.
K-Positioners
These positioners enable robots to easily manipulate workpiece position to ensure the welding torch is positioned at the optimal angle and distance for consistent, high-quality welds. By automating workpiece movement, positioners speed up the welding process, reducing overall cycle times while at the same time reducing the need for reworking.
by Gary Mintchell | Sep 9, 2024 | Manufacturing IT, Operations Management
Quickbase, the software application platform for work management in complex industries, announced Sept. 5 the Quickbase Work Management platform for Manufacturing. Combining pre-built, customizable solutions called Pro Apps, templates, and AI-powered app building capabilities, Quickbase’s Work Management for Manufacturing addresses many of the most common data-driven use cases – including facility management, employee training, permit to work, site safety and compliance, machine maintenance and reporting, and more – all within a platform environment connecting teams, processes, and machines for a comprehensive view of operations.
I began working with manufacturing execution software a long time ago. I volunteered with the Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) for more than 10 years. A consistent theme remains that MES software brings complexity along with its power. Implementing a system is not trivial. For the motivated and persistent engineers, a payoff eventually comes.
Manufacturing organization has changed significantly over the past 15 years or so. I’ve long been excited by Inductive Automation’s approach to SCADA/IoT applications. [Disclaimer: they are a long-time sponsor.]
The work management side has been a bit confusing to me. Then Quickbase approached me with an opportunity to learn more about no-code and low-code operations management software. [Another disclaimer: Quickbase compensates me for certain marketing-oriented work such as appearances on web presentations and occasional writing.] I met two customers (virtually) earlier this year. Their stories about functionality and ease of installing and updating made me excited about this segment of software again.
Anthony Offredi, Director, Customer Advisory Team at Quickbase, recently briefed me on this latest release. Key functions that Quickbase targets include maintenance, safety, project management for new product introduction, and shop floor management. One pain point for manufacturers concerns labor. Recruiting has become difficult. Actually getting people to show up for work every day exacerbates the problem.
I brought up the common knowledge that many companies still rely on Microsoft Excel managing everything on spreadsheets. He acknowledged that indeed Excel is a main competitor when they are presenting to a prospect.
(Aside: I’ve been preaching this for 20 years. I can’t believe that engineers and managers are trying to manipulate complex spreadsheets attempting to manage human and asset performance.)
“Industries like manufacturing, where physical work meets digital processes, demand a new class of specialized solutions built for their needs,” said Ed Jennings, CEO of Quickbase. “The stakes for safety, compliance, and productivity are too high, and these industries can’t afford to live in a world of paper forms and disconnected spreadsheets, data, and systems. Our Work Management platform is designed specifically for the unique needs of manufacturers, solving their most common challenges right out of the gate with pre-built apps and templates developed in concert with feedback from our customers. Combining the specialization of point solutions, the confidence of a connected platform, and the flexibility of easy-to-use AI-powered no-code tools, Quickbase can support the modernization of manufacturing to deliver impact every day.”
Quickbase Work Management for Manufacturing comes complete with pre-built, ready-made solutions, called Pro Apps, and app templates for some of the more common, data-driven use cases in manufacturing – including facility management, employee and site safety and compliance, and maintenance and reporting – that are easily customizable to connect teams, processes, and machines for a comprehensive view of operations. Along with those Pro Apps are a collection of templates that include prefab tracking, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), plant/project tracking and reporting, human error root cause analysis (HERCA), and permit to work tracking.
In addition, Quickbase’s Smart Builder AI gives manufacturers (regardless of technical expertise) the power to build their own custom apps with just a few clicks. Now, manufacturers can build a customized system of applications and workflows in a single platform environment, unlocking agile and connected operations and elevating efficiency, increasing adaptability, and boosting productivity today and into the future.
Available today, Quickbase Work Management for Manufacturing’s pre-built solutions include:
- SFMS (Shop Floor Management Solution) Pro App – Ensure the right person is in the right job at the right time, enhancing the capabilities of the existing workforce to help manage the labor shortage and skills gap, solve for absenteeism, share tribal knowledge, and increase efficiency and throughput, enabling greater visibility on labor, productivity, and scrap tracking.
- Site Safety Audits Pro App – Promote a safer work environment, reduce accidents, and ensure the highest safety standards using a streamlined process for conducting safety audits on the shop floor for inspections, hazard identification/remediation, and regulatory compliance using real-time reporting, photo documentation, and automatic generation of audit reports.
- OSHA Incident Tracking and Recordkeeping Pro App – Elevate your safety posture from reactive to proactive by automating incident reporting and tracking compliance activities, eliminating the lost time and resources (aka, Gray Work) from the inefficient logging and manual tracking of incidents, defect reporting, corrective actions, and compliance documentation across notebooks and disconnected spreadsheets, and promoting a more efficient and safer workplace.
