by Gary Mintchell | May 19, 2025 | Robots
Perhaps the final news coming my way from Automate 2025 and again robotic-oriented, this news concerns release of an off-the-shelf palletizing solution, said to be the first in North America. Doig Corp. Developed Pallet EZ with OnRobot and its D:PLOY platform.
Unlike traditional automation systems that require weeks of integration and specialized expertise, Pallet EZ is ready to install and deploy the same day. It allows manufacturers to be up and running within hours, and adjust to changing production needs in minutes, without programming knowledge or external support.
The solution eliminates traditional integration hurdles. Applications can be deployed and re-deployed in minutes, empowering users to handle new workpieces, adjust pallet layouts, and evolve with changing production demands, all in-house, without coding.
by Gary Mintchell | May 16, 2025 | Robots
More news from Automate. Most of the news has been robotics. This piece reports on Universal Robots introduction of its fastest Cobot, the UR15. Looks like there is still room for improvement in this technology area. They say shipping is to begin in June 2025.
The release states the maximum TCP speed of 5 m/s.
For pick-and-place applications, the UR15 delivers up to 30% cycle time improvements compared to other UR models. All the while retaining the unique UR trademarks of lightweight design and small footprint.
Combined with OptiMove, UR’s new motion control technology, those gains go even further, enhancing trajectory smoothness and ensuring consistently accurate movements – even in high-speed and high-payload applications.
UR15 runs with both PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X, UR’s software platform, and is AI ready. The UR15 can be used with the UR AI Accelerator, UR’s toolkit for developing AI-powered applications. The UR AI Accelerator is developed in collaboration with NVIDIA using NVIDIA Isaac’s CUDA-accelerated libraries and models and running on the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin system-on-module.
The UR15 has a payload of 15 kg (33 lbs) which can be increased to 17.5 kg (38.58 lbs) for applications with wrist-down orientation, such as palletizing. UR15 is a versatile cobot designed to empower multiple applications and industries – each with their own unique challenges where flexibility, efficiency and reliability are critical.
by Gary Mintchell | May 9, 2025 | Robots
Last of a series of Automate show product announcements. More technology relative to robotics. And another one working to expand the function of Cobots to moving processes.
CoboMover is a robust linear track for cobots and small industrial robots launching at Automate 2025. At the show, Güdel is also showcasing a demo on how air bearings can eliminate the need for cranes or embedded rails, moving 3,800+ lbs on a cushion of air.
Güdel will unveil the Cobomover, a 7th-axis linear track purpose-built for collaborative and lightweight robots. Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the Cobomover extends the working range of robots up to 5 meters (16.4ft), allowing them to operate multiple workstations and perform a variety of tasks without manual repositioning.
The CoboMover is compatible with over 60 cobots and small traditional robots. It offers mounting positions at 0° and 180°. The maximum payload, including robot weight, is 78 kg (172 lbs). Its drive system utilizes a toothed belt and Güdel’s HPG045 angular gearbox. Available stroke lengths include 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mm. The CoboMover has a maximum speed of 2 m/s and a maximum acceleration of 2 m/s², providing a repeatability of ± 0.05 mm.
by Gary Mintchell | May 9, 2025 | Robots
A number of releases regarding next week’s Automate show have just come my way from one of my favorite professional PR contacts. This one is robotic-oriented. It appears that this will be very much a robot show. A company I don’t know (Inbolt) partnering with one I’ve studied extensively as an analyst (FANUC). This is pretty cool stuff.
Inbolt and FANUC are enabling FANUC robots to perform production tasks on continuously moving parts at line speeds. With Inbolt’s AI-powered 3D vision, manufacturers can now automate screw insertion, bolt rundown, glue application and other high-precision tasks on parts moving down the line without costly infrastructure investments or cycle time compromises. The new Inbolt and FANUC integration allows the CRX cobot and other FANUC robot models to operate with real-time 3D vision and adaptive trajectory correction, even with part variation or imperfect environments.
General Motors is the first to adopt this new integration, while other leading brands, including Stellantis, Ford, Whirlpool, ThyssenKrupp Automotive, and Toyota, use Inbolt’s technology across various applications.
This solution combines FANUC’s streaming motion capabilities, which enable real-time trajectory input via Ethernet, with Inbolt’s lightweight, robot-mounted vision system and ultra-fast AI model.
- Real-Time 3D Guidance: Inbolt’s proprietary localization AI refreshes at a high rate continuously identifying object orientation and adapting robot paths on the fly, enabling high-speed screwdriving and part insertion without indexing.
- Flexible Deployment: Operates in low-space environments, with no need for fencing. Ideal for General Assembly stations.
Significantly lowering the barriers to high-performance automation, this integration eliminates the need for specialized lighting or custom jigs, making it easier to deploy robots in complex, real-world environments. A single robot can now handle over 100 part models with real-time accuracy, even on continuously moving lines. Deployment is streamlined through Inbolt Studio, an intuitive platform that allows users to import CAD files, train the AI model, validate tracking in real time, and launch the program directly on the line.
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 28, 2025 | Robots
Automate is coming to Detroit this year May 12-15. I cannot make it due to family events. When I began the phase of my career that included robotics, automation, and machinery, most of the trade shows were in Detroit due to the influence of the auto industry. There was a programmable controller show, vision show, and robotics show. All separate; all pretty big. Ah, for the good old days.
I have robot news previewing the show from all my friends in Denmark. OnRobot who continues to innovate in end effectors. I was positive that would never be a growth and innovation area, but they proved me wrong. Also more news from Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots.
OnRobot to Showcase Effortless Automation Deployment
OnRobot will showcase its D:PLOY platform and latest gripper innovations at Automate 2025. In collaboration with integration partner EMI, OnRobot will offer attendees hands-on experience demonstrating how D:PLOY fully automates the deployment of robotic applications. This will be showcased through a live demo of a D:PLOY packaging application featuring OnRobot’s VGC10 gripper, set up rapidly in just hours with no programming.
D:PLOY is the first automatic development platform for cobots and industrial robots that enables the configuration of complete, Off-The-Shelf robotic systems for high-mix manufacturing applications. With full price transparency and same-day installation, D:PLOY gives manufacturers the freedom to adapt in real time, without relying on external experts or programming – and with typical ROI in less than a year.
Visitors will also experience the benefits of OnRobot’s One System Solution: seamless integration of the company’s end-of-arm-tooling across all major robot brands, and true plug-and-produce functionality. Tool changes happen in seconds – no rewiring or reprogramming – showing how easily manufacturers can scale across new applications.
A diverse range of OnRobot’s flexible grippers will be on display, including the new 2FG14, 3FG25, and VGP30. These tools are designed to easily automate diverse tasks, support quick workpiece changeovers, and empower operators to take control. Notably, the VGP30 high-payload pneumatic vacuum gripper is a powerful and robust solution for palletizing boxes, capable of handling cost-saving, thinner cardboard and irregular shapes and porous surfaces. It is ready for immediate deployment out of the box and features intelligent vacuum control that automatically adjusts to any box or interlayer, minimizing air usage and energy costs – ideal for high-mix palletizing applications. Additional OnRobot grippers, including the 2FG7, 3FG15, and Soft Gripper, will be showcased by EMI.
Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots to Debut New and AI-powered Automation Solutions Across Integrated Industry Workflows
Joint showcase from Teradyne Robotics companies will feature comprehensive automation solutions across automotive, electronics manufacturing, and logistics zones, highlighting the power of collaborative and mobile robotics.
Universal Robots (UR) and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) will demonstrate their joint commitment to empowering customers with increased productivity through a diverse range of automation applications at Automate 2025.
“Our combined presence is a powerful demonstration of how Teradyne Robotics addresses the complete spectrum of automation needs across diverse industries,” says Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics. “The applications on display across automotive, electronics and logistics emphasize our holistic approach to automation that empowers businesses to optimize their entire workflow, from component handling to final palletization,” says Kumar, who will deliver the Automate keynote “Tech Hype vs Industrial Need: Separating Science Fiction from Scalable Solutions” at 9:00am on Thursday, May 15.
The Automotive zone will include a production flow, utilizing the same type of automotive workpiece across various applications. AI Automation will demonstrate painting with a new explosion-proof (ATEX certified) UR cobot; Mission Design will present dispensing applications; and 3D Infotech will feature a quality inspection process using a UR cobot and the new UR AI Accelerator toolkit to examine the part assembled by Mission Design, highlighting enhanced perception capabilities. Finally, Robotiq will demonstrate palletizing of the packaged workpiece.
The Electronics zone will feature Adaptive Robotics, performing cobot-assisted soldering of electronic components, alongside a hands-on demonstration of UR’s new OptiMove motion control algorithm that dynamically optimizes speed and acceleration within hardware limits, resulting in smoother cobot movements, reduced vibrations, and improved cycle times.
The AI Accelerator, UR’s new toolkit developed in close collaboration with NVIDIA, will also be hard at work in the Electronics zone, incorporated into Flexxbotics’ machine tending solution to provide improved part localization, and in Acumino’s innovative cobot training demo executing complex assembly of electronic components.
The Material Handling & Logistics Zone will underscore the combined strengths of UR and MiR to deliver fully integrated autonomous intralogistics solutions that are now powered by AI technology leveraging NVIDIA’s accelerated computing libraries:
MiR’s autonomous Pallet Jack – the MiR1200 – will demonstrate the movement of pallets within warehouses and production facilities with AI-driven perception systems for robust pallet recognition, even if pallets are broken or imperfectly loaded. The Pallet Jack will work with the MC600, a new mobile cobot that features a UR20 cobot mounted on a MiR600 AMR for increased payload and reach. This integrated MC600 solution, which just won an RBR50 award, will palletize and de-palletize the MiR1200.
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 22, 2025 | Robots
People used to (actually, still do) respond to my answer about what I cover as automation, “Oh, robots.” And I’d say, “Yes, that, too.” The robot market was pretty stagnant for quite a time until the cobot flurry from Denmark. Then, quiet again for the most part. Something interesting does come my way at times. The current topic seems to be expansion of software control to make robotics easier to use and with expanded repertoire.
Flexxbotics announced the latest release of FlexxCORE, the patent-pending technology at the center of the Flexxbotics solution. The new release delivers more powerful capabilities for advanced robotic machine tending, robotic quality control, and robotic production lines by enabling robots—both industrial and collaborative—to run multiple machines with multiple operations for multiple part SKUs. These new FlexxCORE capabilities equip manufacturers to scale robotic production across the smart factory in a standardized way for greater plant capacity, quality, and EBITDA margins.
FlexxCORE now includes enhanced robot awareness, parallelized data pipelines, and greater data granularity which further extends the interoperable communication and coordination between robots, factory machines, inspection equipment, and other plant machinery.
- Enhanced Robot Awareness – Empowers robots in advanced tending scenarios to interpret each machines’ jobs, processing routines, operational status, and more
- Parallelized Data Pipelines – Leverages asynchronous, parallel pipelines for hyperperformant real time robot+multi-machine orchestration
- Greater Data Granularity – Expanded data model and event data capture for robotic operational context, pattern recognition, and machine learning
FlexxCORE is a low-code environment for composing and running Transformers – powerful translation driver connectors – which includes a secure, high performance run-time framework with data pipelines, protocols, class structures, method sets, and data models for development. Transformers enable bi-directional read/write between robots and all types of factory equipment for many-to-many interoperability.
FlexxCORE delivers compatibility with over 1000 different makes and models of robots, machines, other factory machinery and inspection equipment options, and enables 22x faster connector creation than conventional automation integration methods.
Now, global companies can roll out production robotics across the smart factory in a standardized way for advanced robotic machine tending to enable:
- Robot+Multi-Machine Orchestration—Robots control multiple machines simultaneously to achieve longer unattended robotic production for “lights out” manufacturing.
- Robotic Processing of Multiple Parts—Coordinated robotic production of numerous different part types or SKUs within a part family while managing multi-step processes.
- Robot Multi-Job Work Order Staging—Work order changeovers detect order completion – including FDA regulated Line Clear – and update part properties for the next order in-feed.
- Autonomous Process Control—Offset parameters adjusted in real time directly in the machine controller’s G-code for process control autonomy, improving quality and digital thread traceability.
- Future-Ready Agility—Enables the flexible adoption of new breakthroughs – such as AI-driven processes – to quickly adapt to new market realities and rapidly changing conditions.
