ABB has launched its first rebranded autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) following its acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics in 2021. Since adding AMRs to its portfolio, ABB says it has become the only company with a comprehensive and integrated offering of robots, AMRs and machine automation solutions. ASTI’s solutions now carry the name ‘Flexley’, indicating the flexibility of operations that the AMRs offer. The first models, Flexley Tug and Flexley Mover, cover applications that include towing, trolley transportation up to 2000 kg, and lifting and transporting racks, containers and pallets up to 1500 kg.
For further information www.amr.robotics.abb.com

Tschudin AG, a global specialist in high‐precision centreless cylindrical grinding machines, and the United Grinding Group, a manufacturer of precision machines for grinding, eroding, lasering, measuring and combination machining, are entering into a strategic partnership involving cross‐ownership. The aim is to provide customers with even more comprehensive support by offering complementary grinding solutions and using shared sales networks.

Thanks to this new strategic partnership, the customers of both companies will benefit from a complementary product portfolio. The companies will continue to operate independently in financial terms, but benefit from additional synergies in sales.

“The United Grinding Group is strongly positioned globally,” states Urs Tschudin, shareholder of Tschudin AG. “With the foundation of our Tschudin sales company in China in 2019, we further expanded our international presence. We want to continue on this path.”

Iwan von Rotz, CEO of Tschudin AG, adds: “We can do that even better thanks to this strategic co-operation with United Grinding. By using shared sales channels, we can better reach our customers and further grow our market share. The partnership thus brings advantages to both parties.”

Stephan Nell, CEO of the United Grinding Group, says: “We’re delighted to be working with Tschudin as a strong partner that ideally complements our range with its centreless grinding machines. As part of this strategic partnership, we can provide a complete range of cylindrical grinding machines to our customers. We look forward to a close, long‐term working relationship.”
For further information https://tschudin.swiss

Over the past few years, Fastems reports that the number of CNC applications utilising automated guided vehicle (AGV) or autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technologies has multiplied – and demand is continuing to rise. “Today, the majority of our focus industries are using AGVs or AMRs in some way,” says Mika Laitinen, solution sales director at Fastems. “Whether in aerospace, defence, machine building, medical or subcontracting, there are automated vehicles in many production shops.”

He adds: “When it comes to CNC automation and AGVs or AMRs, they can be of great help in reducing manual transfers and forklift operations, reducing buffer sizes, increasing the automation level, and making production flows more predictable and reproducible.” In addition, Fastems’ Manufacturing Management Software brings higher intelligence for AGV use by overseeing all production orders and resources, and scheduling every piece of this complex puzzle for timely customer deliveries.
For further information www.bit.ly/3rh4SDT

Tyrolit was recently approached by two customers to provide a solution on an existing process suffering from two crucial issues: supply problems from the incumbent supplier and poor lifetime of the product due to belt joints failing.

Using Tyrolit’s Bibielle X-Flex product, the aerospace machining customer ran back-to-back tests against its current solution to try and resolve the quality issues it had been experiencing. The outcome: no breakage over the useable lifetime of the belts. Furthermore, in comparison to the existing supplier, by using Bibielle X-Flex the process achieved a 100% increase in the number of parts produced. Not only is this a hugely beneficial result but it has also saved time, ultimately proving more cost-effective.

The extended benefits of Bibielle surface conditioning products also had a positive impact for another Tyrolit client, a company specialising in casting industrial gas turbine components. This client also began trialling Bibielle X-Flex belts as it was experiencing issues during the manufacturing process (belts snapping), resulting in short lifecycle. Previously, a company engineer would hand manipulate the belt to add flexibility to the backing in an attempt to soften it, allowing the belt to rotate without delaminating. However, with the proprietary material of Bibielle surface conditioning, the structure is quite particular, making it very flexible. In turn, this flexibility allows a tighter radii on the tool and prevents delamination, resulting in the added benefit of extended product life.

The fact that Bibielle X-Flex goes straight on the tool and is flexible from the start, allows usage ‘straight from the box’, making for a cost- and time-saving investment.
For further information www.tyrolit.co.uk

Zeiss and EOS, specialists in metrology and additive manufacturing respectively, have jointly developed and launched an in-process and post-print powder bed analysis solution. Using patented technology from Zeiss, the solution captures all features of the powder bed with high precision for layer-by-layer analysis and evaluation of the entire print job. This capability provides in-situ-proof of powder bed quality via images and defect statistics instead of after-build testing of parts. Zeiss says that the AM in-process offers rapid defect detection and classification with an ultra-high resolution per pixel.
For further information www.zeiss.com