Applied Technology Review : News

Motion Controls Robotics, Inc (MCRI) recently announced its patented pending Robotic Tape Inspection Station.  The station consists of a FANUC robot and vision programming to pinpoint the proper application of tape on different case sizes that run across the conveyor station. Robots put flexibility to the current hard automation. Using a robot and vision to check on the tape tails means the robot firsts locates the box and then finds the tape rather than having the box move into an exact location to be scanned. The benefits of robotic tape inspection: • Flexible to fit any setup and rate • Easily added to any stretch of the current conveyor • Small footprint robot cell • Variety of case sizes • Able to inspect cases in a random position on the conveyor • Preventative measure for quality control and customer satisfaction MCRI has been creating systems using FANUC robots for 25 years and has earned a position in the FANUC Presidents' Circle by being a dedicated FANUC Authorized Service Integrator for over 20 years. MCRI offers various robot options from collaborative to high speed for usage in the tape inspection station for line packaging. This enables the facility to select a robot that will meet their needs and have a system installed within just four weeks. "The MCRI tape detection system saves companies thousands of dollars in shipping cost and customer issues by detecting improperly sealed cases," says James Skelding, Director of Sales & Marketing at MCRI. This error-proofing system is easily cost-justified for Return on Investment by calculating the current cost to your facility of incorrectly sealed or unsealed cases based on: • Production loss • Product damage • Reshipping of the damaged product • Employee time involvement • Clean-up • Customer Complaints • Resolving various issues As proof, MCRI has installed this system for the present customers who have issues with tape failure costing them revenue. The customers now have a solution to ensure they do not cause their end customers any problems upon receipt of their products. The Tape Inspection Station is now available for installation. ...Read more

FREMONT, CA: Auterion recently entered into an agreement with Impossible Aerospace to unveil the all-new US-1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The drone has a flight time of two hours. Auterion leverages global industry standards to develop open-source enterprise operating systems for drones. Impossible Aerospace , a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-performance UAVs, has the mission to develop the highest quality electric aircraft for safety and law enforcement organizations. The company is backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Airbus Ventures, and Eclipse ventures.  Safety incidents require immediate response, but it can be often hindered by the lack of visual information and support. Hence, the real-time intelligence and data from drones are vital during public emergencies to keep the control centers up to date with the developments to organize the safety operations. The two-hour flight duration will enhance safety operations, providing a seamless stream of data supply. The auditable and government recognized operating system by Auterion enables the drone to function effectively without glitches. The US-1 UAV made its first run in February with a California-based police force. The US-1 possess the longest flight time of any quadcopter in the market. The new product joined the arsenal of drones and helicopters utilized by the police agencies. The drone will empower them to conduct recons and gather information remotely. Thus, it not only makes aerial imagery easier but also reduces the first responder cost. The UAV can be utilized by public safety organizations to stream live footage to the control centers. The open-source approach adopted by Auterion in its services will help in the seamless integration of the UAV systems into their IT-infrastructures. The Auterion PX4, the operating system used by US-1, is utilized by drone pilots, businesses, and enterprises all around the world. The open-source approach adopted by Auterion to build its infrastructure, enables drone manufacturers to integrate their products with the secure operating system easily. It aims to secure the software infrastructure of the drones, at the same time, scaling and future-proofing drone operations for businesses, police agencies, and safety organizations. ...Read more

MDCplus equipment monitoring system powered by predictive analytics helps forecast equipment breakdowns, increases production performance and actual equipment utilization, and reduces unscheduled downtime.  A Finnish-Russian industrial digitalization leader, Zyfra releases an updated version of MDCplus real-time machine monitoring and manufacturing data collection system. The systems’ functioning principle suggests that each machine automatically sends its operation data into one digital system. Data on the equipment condition, workload, and modes of operation is transferred from the machines to computers and other devices armed with special software. It makes production processes transparent and offers objective data to add value to management decisions concerning redistribution of machine workload, product quality, control of personnel performance, and reduction of downtime. Currently, MDCplus combines about 10,000 machines at 330 enterprises in more than 20 countries, including India, Russia, Romania, Singapore, Turkey, Finland, and France. The latest version gives enterprises an opportunity to control and analyze the production cycle and connect machines to the monitoring system without additional support. To connect a machine to the monitoring system, it has to be combined into the local internal network of an enterprise. It needs only a few steps to connect the machine to the system remotely and to collect data. Continuous enhancement of the system is necessary for the context of high alert due to the pandemic. It also helps boost the integration of monitoring in production. Zyfra has successfully completed a pilot project for remote connection of machines at Harsha Engineers, one of the leading manufacturers of bearing cages.  The new release has the options for control and life cycle analysis of each workpiece or part. Labels on workpieces can be leveraged to track each processing stage. Precise data about location and operations performed reveals deviations in technical processes and promptly identifies defective parts. This ultimately reduces the cost of corrections and excludes the possibility of defective items shipment to the customer. MDCplus system offers energy efficiency modules, automated support of maintenance and repair services, and integration with a predictive analytics system. Power consumption monitoring option helps collect data on energy losses from machines in a multitude of modes and conditions in a prompt manner and to register and analyze quality indicators of the power supply system. Automated service and repair also help reduce repair time and increase the lifespan of machinery through optimized speed and quality of preventive service. ...Read more