INSPIRATION
Since the first industrial revolution, all process and equipment improvements aim to implement some degree of automation. The reduction of human involvement in repetitive and hazardous tasks makes the production line more productive and safer. But the cost and complexity of such automated equipment increase exponentially with the level of automation. However, recent innovations in control systems
and robotic technology make the implementation of automation ideas easy and more cost-effective. This makes robotic automation the most important technology among the manufacturing trends. Automation simplifies a wide variety of processes in the production line including material handling,assembly, painting, and other machining and finishing processes.
e1ectr0n (2018, Hillsboro, USA) is a US-based robotic automation startup that develops a robotic arm for low volume manufacturing. pr0t0n is the startup’s 6 axis robot arm that is capable of carrying out repetitive assembly tasks. The robot supports two training methods: precision movements using a game controller and specific tasks through keyboard coding. During training the operator moves pr0t0n through the assembly process using one of the training methods and records the steps, then pr0t0n repeats each step in the process. The system also has the provision to add or delete steps as needed. Pr0t0n is suitable for automated dispensing and screwdriver operations, helping assembly lines multiply the efforts of trained assemblers.
Gideon Brothers (2017, Osijek, Croatia) is a Croatian startup that provides scalable and easy-to-use intelligent material handling solutions to automate complex industrial workflow.The startup integrates its proprietary vision module powered by AI and 3D vision, into their autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The vision module enables Gideon’s AMRs to see,understand, localize and navigate across indoor or outdoor environments. The cameras and built-in sensors provide data to the localization system that creates dense 3D environmental models and updates them in real-time. This allows AMRs to operate safely alongside workers and equipment by adjusting to their movements and changing working conditions.The advanced visual perception system automates material transport, lifting and feeding, and other collaborative movements on the production line.
