September 12, 2022
Debuting what it terms Sensitive Cobotics, KUKA Robotics will show IMTS attendees the future of automation in the form of its new LBR iisy cobot. As ready-to-use automation, the LBR iisy quickly and easily integrates into any manufacturing application from pre-defined production processes to open, unstructured work environments with unpredictable conditions from one job to the next. For show attendees in the automotive, e-mobility, aerospace, electronics and related industries, the company will demonstrate advanced automated friction stir welding (FSW), a process that fulfills the growing need for fast, clean, reliable and cost-effective joining for non-ferrous metals and mixed metal combinations frequently encountered in fabricating such components as electric vehicle (EV) battery housings and trays.
With six axes, a 3-kg payload, 600-mm maximum reach and 18.8-kg overall weight, the LBR iisy is well suited for overcoming the challenges posed by confined workspaces. Whether loading/unloading machines, assembling components or packaging, the cobot provides increased versatility and can be immediately operated by anyone from an automation expert to a cobotics newcomer. Featuring various operator levels, the user-friendly system adapts to the corresponding level of user knowledge.
The LBR iisy is fully embedded into the KUKA Industry 4.0 ecosystem. In addition to the availability of downloadable software apps, the company’s KUKA Connect cloud solution allows users to access and analyze the cobot’s data at any time.
Despite its low procurement costs, the LBR iisy is equipped with high-grade joint torque sensors integrated in all its axes. These sensors respond to the slightest of external forces and provide certified collision protection.
As part of a live demonstration, IMTS attendees will also see KUKA’s robotic FSW process welding aluminum parts to manufacture an assembly. The cell will consist of multiple robots. One robot will pick parts from bins and place them into a fixture and a second robot will perform FSW using both Roboception and SICK PLB 3D vision technologies.
For EV battery tray production, KUKA has engineered its cost-effective KUKA cell4_FSW modules to provide up to 95% more process efficiency and maximize the available configuration options for manufacturers. Used for both 2D and 3D welding tasks, the modules are scalable and accommodate either one or two 6-axis robots. Shops can arrange several workpiece clamping tools in the working area of the cell so that robots can work simultaneously on larger components if needed.
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EY Canada is pleased to welcome AFARA and its team of multidisciplinary consultants to the firm to deepen existing resources and expertise in sustainability, and environment, social and governance (ESG) services.
“Businesses around the world are now embracing societal change and sustainable development as road maps to long-term success — and we are excited to play a role in that journey,” says Kent Kaufield, Chief Sustainability Officer and ESG Markets Leader at EY Canada. “At the end of the day, sustainability is everybody’s business. With AFARA, we look forward to helping clients build resilient, sustainable companies and economies, while furthering the energy transition.”
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Worldfavor is a global sustainability platform, digitizing and automating the collection, calculation, aggregation and visualization for analysis and reporting of ESG data. Now, Worldfavor is proud to welcome Modern Niagara as a new customer. Modern Niagara is the first Canadian construction company to partner with Worldfavor.
“Worldfavor was founded to be the best platform for sharing, accessing and gaining insights from corporate ESG information. Worldfavor’s mission is to make sustainability mainstream and with that we offer solutions to accelerate sustainability through the value chain. Modern Niagara is the first Canadian construction company to partner with Worldfavor.
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Brock Solutions is happy to announce that SmartBag Grouping has successfully gone live at Vancouver International Airport. SmartBag Grouping provides YVR a tool for managing their Manual Early Bag Storage. The tool uses real-time data and allows users to create groups for baggage based on criteria such as time, flight, and airline. Critical information is delivered to baggage handlers in the field when they need it, on their handheld device, or on an information display.
Baggage is handled more efficiently during loading, and tracking information can be shared with other authorized SmartSuite users.
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High-rise buildings in France, tunnels in Switzerland, prestressed concrete ceilings in Germany – one source of their stability is wire products from Kehl in Baden-Württemberg. Badische Drahtwerke GmbH (BDW) supplies reinforcing steel mesh, reinforcement cages, lattice girders and many other rebar and reinforcement products to the region and neighboring countries.
When the machines used to produce lattice girders had to undergo a safety update, the engineers took advantage of the communication capabilities of an intelligent power supply from WAGO to improve process efficiency.
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