Chinese factory replaces 90% of humans with robots, production soars
By Conner Forrest for TechRepublic: In Dongguan City, located in the central Guangdong province of China, a technology company has set up a factory run almost exclusively by robots, and the results are fascinating.
The Changying Precision Technology Company factory in Dongguan has automated production lines that use robotic arms to produce parts for cell phones. The factory also has automated machining equipment, autonomous transport trucks, and other automated equipment in the warehouse.
There are still people working at the factory, though. Three workers check and monitor each production line and there are other employees who monitor a computer control system. Previously, there were 650 employees at the factory. With the new robots, there's now only 60. Luo Weiqiang, general manager of the company, told the People's Daily that the number of employees could drop to 20 in the future.
The robots have produced almost three times as many pieces as were produced before. According to the People's Daily, production per person has increased from 8,000 pieces to 21,000 pieces. That's a 162.5% increase. Cont'd...
AIS Expands Intelligent Automation Control and Monitoring Portfolio with Box Industrial PCs, Din Rail and Thin Client IPCs for Connecting Data, People and Machines
AISs Box Industrial PCs, Din-rail and Thin Client IPCs Offer a Highly Integrated Form Factor for PC-based Automation for IoT Gateway and Industry 4.0 Applications
Midwest Engineered Systems Launches Fanuc Robotics Webpage
SCHUNK SRM Universal Rotary Unit
Compact and cost-effective
Ethernet Slip Ring Can Meet Your Needs In Factory Automation
New generation slip ring with Ethernet option; high performance slip ring; Ethernet data transmission in rotate system; it is a electrical component for automation industry.
Data Translation Offers Real Time ARM-Based Data Acquisition Module
High Accuracy, High Speed, Simultaneous Measurement for Applications Using Linux
NEXCOM Adds Portfolios with Industrial Touch Monitors Featuring Widescreen and Multi-touch
NEXCOM's widescreen IPPD series provides informative and clearer HD content, making data feeds easier to read and understand.
Rockwell brings factory-automation tools to smartphones, tablets
By John Schmid of the Journal Sentinel: The Texas facility that mass-produces State Fair corn dogs and Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick retooled itself recently as a hyper-automated smart factory. It installed 1,500 sensors to collect gigabytes of data on everything from raw meat inventories to wastewater and electrical usage.
Then the Fort Worth factory took one extra step into the future of industrial technology: It added software that transmits all of that real-time data onto smartphones and tablets, making it possible for plant managers to monitor their production network from anywhere on the factory floor — and during coffee breaks or vacations, as well.
If they choose — so far, most don't — this new breed of mobile managers can even operate factory equipment remotely, shutting off pumps or speeding up production lines. Technology has made that sort of operation as easy as playing a smartphone video game, but it can be reckless because a lot of equipment can interfere with or hurt those who are physically present.
It's only a matter of time, some say, before factory controls migrate to Google Glass, the wearable displays mounted in eyeglass frames, or smart wristwatches. Cont'd...
A New Approach from Kardex Remstar to Minimizing Downtime in Highly Automated Operations
Automated storage and retrieval systems now support MRO activities in a small, compact footprint. Kardex Remstar products offer several ways to help reduce downtime in highly automated facilities.
Robotics Emerge to Power Next-Generation Industrial Environments
Dan Dibbern and Laura Studwell for Quality Magazine: Industrial robots are expected to be the focus for investment in factory automation. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), investment in industrial robots is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12% from 2015 to 2017. The packaging industry is experiencing a surge in robotic integration throughout primary, secondary and tertiary packaging—from processing, assembly, labeling and cartoning to case packing and palletizing.
The driving force behind the surge in robotics sales growth in North America is the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The FSMA is requiring companies to introduce automated machinery and components into the production process to help eliminate potential product quality and integrity issues.
With the FSMA about to publicly release its requirements, the use of robots in packaging is at the point of takeoff. And with recent technical advances in robotics helping to power the new wave of interest, companies are experiencing first-hand that robots are faster, smarter and more affordable than ever before.
Silicon Labs Launches Plug-and-Play Isolated Power Supply Solution
Si88xx Isolators with On-Chip dc-dc Converter Target Industrial Applications Including Factory Automation, Solar Inverters and Battery Management
Records 16 to 26 of 26
Featured Product
Online Master of Engineering in Robotics & Intelligent Autonomous Systems
The Robotics and Intelligent Autonomous Systems program at the University of Cincinnati Online offers a cutting-edge curriculum that equips students with the skills to design, develop, and implement advanced robotic systems. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and top-ranked faculty, students gain expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, preparing them for impactful careers in the rapidly evolving field of autonomous systems. Explore now!
