BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — As National Robotics Week highlights advances in automation, one trend is becoming clear: robotics is no longer confined to pilot projects or isolated applications. It is being deployed across production lines to solve specific manufacturing challenges. In many cases, the shift is happening at the process level.
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. —
Manufacturers handling large, complex components are increasingly turning to hybrid automation systems that combine robotics with human expertise. At Scania, a new gripping system is helping address that challenge by enabling safe, precise handling of heavy engine components in a human-robot collaborative environment.
Robots are becoming nearly as common in assembly plants as nutrunners and conveyors. The advent of collaborative robots is only furthering that trend. However, as robots play a greater role on the line, engineers must ensure that workers remain safe around the technology.
Collaborative robots are an important element of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing initiatives. Many engineers are intrigued by these next-generation machines that can control force and work safely next to people on assembly lines without traditional safety guarding.
BRAMPTON, ON—Auto parts supplier Matcor Automotive Inc. has been fined $270,000 after a maintenance worker at its assembly plant here suffered a “devastating” injury involving a robot.
BAUNATAL, Germany—A robot accidentally killed a worker at Volkswagen’s automotive assembly plant here. The robot pressed the worker up against a metal plate, crushing his chest.
