robotics

During October, the Palaszczuk government celebrated its “Month of Manufacturing”, highlighting the great things that our manufacturing firms are achieving all year. Cameron Dick, Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, shares the state’s success. The industry is thriving in Queensland. We continue to be one of Australia’s leading manufacturing states because our … Continue reading Advanced manufacturing is advancing Queensland →

French aerospace manufacturer Airbus has purchased industrial automation company, MTM Robotics, located in the US. Airbus already utilises MTM’s light automated robotics systems at its manufacturing facilities, however, the purchase will enable a closer collaboration said MTM founder, Mike Woogerd. “We are pleased and excited to become a part of the Airbus family and look … Continue reading Aerospace manufacturer pursues robotics integration →

Access solutions manufacturer Chamberlain Group is looking into investing further in robotics at its plant in West Gosford. Producing commercial doors, the company has partnered with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), to find solutions for its business as it has grown. One area where Chamberlain has used this expertise is in the purchase and … Continue reading AMGC provides opening for doors manufacturer →

Queensland has marked the Month of Manufacturing in its state by highlighting the capabilities of the manufacturing sector in that state. Manufacturing has grown in Queensland over the past decade to be 19.3 per cent of the national total, according to Minister for Manufacturing, Cameron Dick. “Queensland continues to be a leading manufacturing state because … Continue reading Queensland a sunny state for manufacturing →

RoboHelix’s flight from garage to global has been driven by a symbiotic partnership. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. The journey of a start-up, from basement to IPO, has become the corporate myth of the 21st century. The break-neck trajectory is one that many seek to emulate, but few fully understand the trials and tribulations involved. Indeed, the … Continue reading Collaboration key to a successful start-up →

Defence prime contractors have signed agreements to ensure that the latest technological advances are brought to bear on the manufacture of the Future Submarines and Future Frigates. In separate agreements signed as part of PACIFIC 2019, Flinders University announced that it will work with Naval Group Pacific, the local subsidiary of French company naval Group, … Continue reading Agreements signed between primes and university →

MathWorks has introduced Release 2019b with a range of new capabilities in MATLAB and Simulink, including those in support of artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and the automotive industry. In addition, R2019b introduces new products in support of robotics, new training resources for event-based modeling, and updates and bug fixes across the MATLAB and Simulink product … Continue reading MathWorks releases 2019b of MATLAB and Simulink →

The UR16e, from Universal Robots, is now available, and offers a payload capability of 16kg. With a reach of 900mm and pose repeatability of +/- 0.05mm, the UR16 is designed for heavy-duty material handling, heavy-part handling, and machine tending. President of Universal Robots, Jürgen von Hollen, said that economic uncertainty mean that flexibility was key … Continue reading Universal Robots launches strongest cobot to date →

Technology company Verton Australia is joining with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) to manufacture the first robot-controlled load-management system in the world. The new system will aim to eliminate the need for human-held taglines for crane operations, reducing the risk of human injury, and is a $4.4 … Continue reading Partnership to make robot-controlled load-management system →

Construction has started on ABB‘s robotics manufacturing and research factory. Located in China, the facility is expected to open in 2021 and is the result of a US$150 million ($218m) investment by the SIX Swiss Exchange traded company. Located in Kangqiao, near Shanghai, the facility will involve machine learning, digital, and collaborative solutions. According to … Continue reading ABB begins work on future robotics factory →

The VEX robotics competition will come to Adelaide for the first time in December this year. In part due to $15,000 in funding from the state government, the competition will be the testing ground for the teams which will go on to take one of 12 spots at the international tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, in … Continue reading National robotics competition comes to Adelaide →

The Queensland government opened the Townsville Manufacturing Hub on Monday, September 9. The Hub aims to help boost manufacturing and productivity in the city and surrounding region and is located at the TAFE Queensland Bohle campus. Townsville manufacturing businesses contributed $840 million to Queensland’s economy in 2017-2018, according to Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure … Continue reading Townsville hub provides local connection to advanced manufacturing →

The Australian Space Agency has opened consultations for the design of its Robotics, Automation and AI Command and Control Centre. Input is being sought on the objectives of the centre, the mission types for potential users, and overall program design. The Centre will be located in Western Australia and is funded through $4.5 million from … Continue reading Industry invited to set objectives for space control centre →

While Industry 4.0 may seem to encourage the replacement of people with machines, when it comes to safety, having an understanding of the importance of people is paramount. In an exclusive interview, Susanne Kunschert of Pilz speaks with Manufacturers’ Monthly. The managing partner of automation technology firm Pilz, Susanne Kunschert, confesses, “I’m not so digital”. … Continue reading Understanding where people fit in Industry 4.0 →

Autonomous delivery business Starship Technologies has raised $40 million in funding to expand its business. The Estonian manufacturer, which is headquartered in the US, was established by Skype co-founders Janus Friis and Ahti Heinla and has garnered $85 million in support to date. The primary product of the company is a six-wheeled robot that are … Continue reading Autonomous delivery business expands with new funding →

The University of Queensland opened Australia’s largest university makerspace this week. Named “UQ Innovate”, the space will provide space for students, academics, and researchers to use machines such as 3D printers, vacuum formers, industrial robots, and waterjet cutters. To enable visitors to get the most out of the technology, technical and trade qualified staff will … Continue reading Largest makerspace opens at University of Queensland →

The spread of advanced automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence is transforming the way manufacturers work. Manufacturers’ Monthly explores how these development are impacting the workforce. In the manufacturing sector, technological change and transformations in production processes are pointing towards changes in business models. In particular, developments in advanced automation, robotics artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, … Continue reading Artificial intelligence, robotics, and the workforce of the future →

The Queensland government will fund and create the first robotics manufacturing hub in Australia. With funding of $7.71 million spread over the next four years, the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub will be built with support from the Queensland University of Technology and architectural design company Urban Art Projects (UAP). According to Minister for … Continue reading Queensland commits to robotics manufacturing hub →

A new digital fabrication facility, ProtoLAB, opened this week at Swinburne University of Technology. The lab will house industrial robots for large scale architectural design prototyping. The design of the space is intended to open up the fabrication process to passers-by and allows observation and interest to be garnered by the large windows that open … Continue reading Robotics lab to encourage hands-on Industry 4.0 knowledge →

Research into developing robots with a sense of touch has taken a further step, with the development of a new form of tactile sensors. The researchers, from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Queensland, have used nanometre-thin films of organic LEDs (OLED) and organic photodiodes (OPD), which measure soft touch. While … Continue reading Durable touch sensors developed for cobot applications →