Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), is releasing a new software platform specifically for machine-tending tasks. The name is PolyScope X and, through a customisable user interface, UR says it will add new levels of flexibility to high-mix, low-volume machine tending automation.With PolyScope X, machine shop operators can achieve changeover times of less than 10 minutes – far below what is possible today with any other software, reports the company.This capability will empower users to run more batches in a day and in a more strategic and flexible way.

PolyScope X arrives at a time when manufacturers all over the world are looking for increased flexibility to handle shifting and increasingly diverse orders. At the same time, the new software platform introduces a powerful reworked programming experience and toolset. This enables integrators and OEM partners to structure their program code in a way that makes each operation simpler to understand, maintain and troubleshoot.

“PolyScope X is a landmark development in machine-tending automation,” says Anders Billesø Beck, Universal Robot’s vice president for strategy andinnovation.“The simplicity of the user interface and the much faster changeover times will provide manufacturers with a whole new set of possibilities regarding how they automate their machine tending tasks.It will allow them to break some of the barriers that are holding them back today.”

PolyScope X for machine tending is initially available in Germany, the UK and Denmark.
For further information www.universal-robots.com

Exotec, a global warehouse robotics provider, has manufactured its 5000th robot, just three months after the production of its 4000th model. This is the shortest time yet between manufacturing milestones, signifying a growing business momentum driven by the increasing demand for warehouse automation. The 5000th robot carries the name ‘Monu’ (short for ‘Monumental’).

Romain Moulin, CEO and co-founder at Exotec says: “We continue to see a strong demand for scalable and proven warehouse robotic solutions. We have a track record of serving the world’s largest brands, which places Exotec at the heart of the explosive growth of the global warehouse robotics market, which is expected to be worth $16bn by 2031.”

In 2022, Exotec signed its first major UK customer – multichannel fulfilment and returns expert iForce – and is already deploying two additional large customer projects in the UK.
Exotec has made significant strides in making warehouse jobs easier and less physically demanding. To this day, Exotec robots have saved warehouse workers from having to walk at least 16 million miles, which is the equivalent of going to the moon and back 33 times.

This year, Exotec is continuing its track record of innovation by investing in R&D. Since its inception, Exotec has doubled its R&D spend every year, and the company also commits 10% of all sales towards the development of new products.As of today, Exotec holds 26 granted patents with 68 patent applications still pending. The company filed almost 50% of all patents in the past six months.
For further information www.exotec.com

ABB Robotics is expanding its large robot range with four new models and 22 variants, offering more choice, increased coverage and greater performance. The next-generation models include the IRB 6710, IRB 6720, IRB 6730 and IRB 6740, suitable for payloads ranging from 150 to 310kg, with a reach from 2.5 to 3.2m.

“Sustainable production is a major priority of automotive manufacturers, with 78% of companies identifying it as important to their business and a further 77% identifying it as a priority for their customers,” says Marc Segura, president of ABB’s Robotics Division. “ABB’s four new robots offer 22 variants and energy savings of up to 20%, responding to our customers’ needs; offering greater choice and flexibility for more sustainable production. These new robots will help our customers build resilience across a range of industries including automotive, general manufacturing and foundries.”

ABB’s OmniCore controller and lighter robot design lead to energy savings of up to 20%. Featuring ABB’s TrueMove and QuickMove motion control technology, ABB says the robots can achieve class-leading repeatability with a minimum of 0.03mm deviation. These capabilities make the new series of robots suitable for complex tasks such as spot welding, laser welding, screwdriving and riveting.

“Our new robot range meets the needs of the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) industry,” says Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics Automotive Business Line.“As manufacturers ramp up the production of EVs and batteries, they can choose from a wide range of ABB robots to ensure they have the right variant to handle batteries of different sizes, from individual cells and modules to complete packages.”
For further information www.abb.com

Leuze is introducing new tower lights for machine tools in a robust aluminium housing.Thecompany says that its TL 305 series impresses with bright and homogeneous illumination as well as an optional IO-Link interface.

Tower lights are indispensable in machine tools construction, making status, faults and ongoing processes clearly visible from a distance.The new Leuze tower lights of the TL 305 series can do all of this extremely reliably, reports Leuze,lighting up brightly, uniformly and fully. This capability enables optimum signalling, whether at the machine, on the conveyor belt or for access control. The compact towers are available preconfigured with three, four, or five segments.

Leuze’s new range of tower lights includes TL 305 models with a predefined colour assignment, as well as TL 305-IOL models with an IO-Link interface. The IO-Link variants allow different operating modes and provide an extensive selection of colours. On request, the tower lights are also available with an additional acoustic signaller.

System operators benefit from the immediate usability of the tower lights. The M30 thread and M12 connectors make them easy to install, while matching accessories simplify installation. A robust design characterises all models of the series, where the aluminium housing allows use of the tower lights even in demanding industrial environments.

The IO-Link version TL 305-IOL, with its different operating modes, offers maximum flexibility. It is possible to actuate segments such as colour, intensity and lighting sequences individually via IO-Link using ‘Segment’ mode. Users can also deploy ‘Level’ mode to visualise fill levels. If fast commissioning is required, users can actuate eight predetermined or user-defined configurations via the three external trigger inputs, even without an IO-Link connection.
For further information www.leuze.com