Ever read Isaac Asimov’s book ‘I, Robot’? Mike Wilson, Business Development Manager, UK & IE, ABB Robotics has! Understand how it was this dystopian novel that first sparked Mike’s interest in robotics and how, since then, he’s gone on to pioneer the use of robots in a number of applications and still continues to strongly argue that they won’t destroy the world of work but play a positive role in the future of humankind.
Behind the drawn factory doors of facilities across Europe, humans are working safely alongside a new kind of colleague; one that is stronger, faster and more efficient than ever before: collaborative robots. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings, explains how to choose the right bearing for this new automation application.
A specialist in multi-axis machining is leveraging the benefits of Universal Robots supplied by RARUK Automation to load and unload its machine tools. A mix of seven UR5 and UR10 robots have helped Rousant Sherwood maximise the productivity of its workforce by automating repetitive tasks and allowed the company to bid for contracts which would have otherwise been unprofitable.
Nigel Smith, CEO of TM Robotics, explains why manufacturers really need to understand the facts before they jump on the cobot bandwagon, as this investment may not be as low-risk as it first appears.
DPA & Connectivity Editor, Paige West, spoke to Mark Gray, UK Sales Manager of Universal Robots about the impact of Brexit on UK manufacturing and what it will mean for the future of automation.
In the 2016 Staples Business Advantage Workplace Index, 22 percent of those surveyed admitted to having changed jobs due to problems with their work-life balance. However, the advent of Industry 4.0 has provided a plethora of communication platforms that are simple and affordable to use and workers can have collaborative access to files, documents, software and meetings. Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at EU Automation, explains more.