Panasonic Factory Solutions and long-standing partner SYN-TIG have upgraded the production line for medical furniture manufacturer, Haelvoet, using Panasonic’s TAWERS G4 welding robot system. The project will enable manufacturing subcontractor, Grovinvest, to increase flexibility and automation in the production of specialist medical equipment for customers across Europe.

First deploying previous iterations of Panasonic’s robot cells in 2009, with a subsequent upgrade delivered in 2014, the upgraded production line at Grovinvest’s northern Romania facility enables it to manufacture four variations of Haelvoet’s medical bedframes. With all required components automatically detected prior to production starting, Panasonic says its TAWERS G4 welding robot system delivers the required precision and speed, while minimising ramp-up time.

The integrated Panasonic TAWERS G4 optimises welding process management into a single controller for high-speed, high-quality arc welding. It features increased controller processing speeds, and optimised communication between the controller and the robot. When compared with previous models, the G4 is more reliable and smaller, saving space and costs without compromising reliability.

Furthermore, the G4’s teach pendant touchscreen simplifies programming on the production line, while consumables – such as contact tips – last longer than previous models. This reduces the need to keep excessive spares and minimises maintenance downtime.

The G4 also features offline programming software, enabling remote digital access to real-time production and system operating data. This enables Grovinvest’s engineers to re-program all or some of the parts of the welding process while the robot is still running.

Bogdan Pienaru, managing engineer at Haelvoet contractor Grovinvest, says: “The welding quality provided by the G4 is superb; Panasonic continues to set the standard in welding precision, speed and accuracy.”

More information www.bit.ly/41NI4yd

Global automation specialist, Emerson, demonstrated how the company is helping to transform the future of industrial manufacturing and automation through the proven ‘Floor to Cloud’ approach and its comprehensive solutions portfolio at the recent Automatica trade fair in Munich.

Visitors to the Emerson booth learnt how companies of any size can apply a Floor to Cloud strategy to drive sustainable growth, maximise performance quality and boost workforce productivity for immediate and long-term success. Emerson’s immersive and interactive hub
showcased how products from its portfolio – including the Afag, Movicon, PACEdge and PACSystems brands – combine to form intelligent solutions that transform operations across the factory floor and deliver ongoing value.

Live demonstrations in the Emerson booth focused on ways the solution provider can help companies leverage advanced automation and data-driven operations to boost manufacturing performance, achieve carbon-neutral manufacturing and maximise worker potential.

Exhibits included a plug-and-play bowl feeding solution that leverages standardized, flexible, high-precision components to boost accuracy, speed and reliability of small and micro-part feeding applications. Elsewhere on the stand, a global dashboard display, which helps companies unlock the power of their operations with seamless data integration, proved popular among visitors. By connecting machine by machine and factory by factory, manufacturers can compare performance and energy consumption, apply benchmarks and drive continuous improvement.

Also on the stand was a high-speed, electric pick and place system, which demonstrated how manufacturers can improve the precision and performance of this common production line application. Visitors also got to see an automated ballpoint pen assembly solution, which showcased how the full range of Emerson technologies can work together in a seamlessly integrated system to assemble a product.

More information www.emerson.com/en-gb/automation/home

The search for suitable automation solutions is currently at the top of the list for many manufacturers. At the EMO 2025 exhibition (22-26 September) in Hanover, organiser VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) says a broad range of automation solutions will be present, from simple handling systems to autonomous factories with self-driving systems. 

“Against the background of higher costs and a shortage of skilled workers, automation is vitally important for the industry,” emphasises VDW executive director Dr Markus Heering.

A major topic for automation at EMO will be the use of robots. According to the IFR (International Federation of Robotics), around 4.3 million industrial robots are currently in use worldwide. Last year alone, their number rose by 10%. The IFR also expects double-digit growth rates in the coming years.

Many SME manufacturers and those with rather small production runs are asking themselves whether it actually makes sense to use industrial robots. Often, cobots (collaborative robots) present an interesting option. Thanks to their ease of use and rapid deployment, cobots are suitable for companies of all sizes. They also offer the benefit of delivering a straightforward introduction to automation and can be connected using a plug-and-play principle. This capability makes cobots particularly suited to pick-and-place tasks or the loading and unloading of machines.

Cobots can also take on internal transportation tasks. They work well in harmony with AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) and can help to increase efficiency in production, not only by loading machines but also handling materials. At EMO, numerous exhibitors will be offering automation solutions with robots, including those from KUKA, Robojob, Wick, Apex, FANUC and many more. 

More information https://emo-hannover.com/automation

Lang Technik has launched its RoboTrex Compact automation system into the UK market. Currently available in two larger capacities, the RoboTrex Compact launch was prompted by high customer demand for a smaller option.

RoboTrex systems are able to load and unload unmanned machine tools and provide lights-out production. Ever increasing competition, rising cost pressures, the desire to increase machine tool utilisation and the shortage of skilled labour are among the reasons existing users cite to justify their purchases of RoboTrex Automation Systems.

The new RoboTrex Compact was designed for the unmanned production of workpieces within the size envelope of 65 x 50 x 95 mm, up to a maximum weight of 7 kg. The system’s storage rack provides space for up to 100 Makro Grip Micro vices, while its footprint of just 2 sq m delivers an excellent ratio of storage capacity to space.

By changing grippers manually, the flexible RoboTrex Compact can hold larger vices from the Makro Grip 77 series. It means the RoboTrex Compact’s maximum storage capacity is 50 vices.

Thanks to various loading options, the cost-effective system can easily connect to almost any machine tool. According to Lang Technik, the RoboTrex Compact is characterised by user-friendly operation that requires no specialist knowledge and minimum training requirements. Just as the larger capacity RoboTrex systems, the RoboTrex Compact is also a simple plug-and-play solution that ensures a quick installation. In addition, the new system delivers a rapid return on investment (ROI), reports the company.

More information https://lang-technik.co.uk/

FANUC says it has launched the world’s first ever explosion-proof, ATEX-rated collaborative robot (cobot) for industrial painting applications. Suitable for wet spraying, dry powder coating and multiple other processes that include adhesive dispensing, the CRX-10iA/L PAINT is designed to improve the precision of paint jobs, reduce waste, increase productivity and boost safety by protecting workers from paint fumes.

Approved for use in ATEX-certified Cat II Group 2G and 2D, the CRX-10iA/L PAINT enables human employees to work in the same painting area as the cobot without safety fences, thanks to a sensitive contact-stopping function. Ease of use is another of its key features.

“Few paint shop workers have extensive knowledge of robotics, which is where cobots can help,” states Claude Seiler, manager products and application – European technical support robotics at FANUC. “Our CRX-10iA/L PAINT, with its easy-teach features and drag-and-drop functionality, means no expertise in robot programming is necessary.”

According to FANUC, paint shop professionals can complete programs in minutes via an icon-based app on a tablet teach pendant

“Operators can manually move the cobot arm to the first position required, make a save point and continue through the paint path,” explains Seiler. “The cobot will ‘learn’ its entire range of positioning – it’s that easy. What’s more, users can save and apply paint paths to other parts.”

The IP67-rated FANUC CRX-10iA/L PAINT six-axis cobot offers a maximum payload of 10 kg and what is said to be the longest reach in its class of 1418 mm. Process flexibility arrives courtesy of its floor, upside-down or angle mounting option, while its novel under-flip motion means users can manipulate the paint gun in confined spaces. The cobot is fully compatible with almost all automatic end-of-arm guns.

More information www.fanuc.eu