Automate 2024 in Chicago: The Exciting First Days of the Show

Join along as we showcase some of the many meetings and demonstrations we’ve experienced over the past couple of days at the Automate 2024 trade show in Chicago!

 

OnRobot

Let’s face it - a robot without a proper end tool is simply a huge loss in both productivity and potential. Some companies specialize in robots and motion, but others must become experts in that critical aspect called end-of-arm tooling.

OnRobot recently released a brand-new 3-fingered electric gripper that relies on rotational motion instead of parallel motion as used by many others. This gripper is compatible with the connector plate that is standard across OnRobot’s entire tooling portfolio, making tool changes a snap!

 

FANUC

Robot technology has expanded from various traditional purpose-built industrial robots to the more recent addition of cobots, and even those have been around for a while now. But now, these newer cobots are being configured for specialties within certain applications or industries, mimicking the progress of robot technology evolution from previous decades.

Shown for the first time in North America, FANUC demonstrated the CRX 10iA/L, designed for painting and is appropriate for explosion-proof environments with a sealed casing and air connection port for a positive air pressure supply.

 

Cognex

Vision systems are only becoming more prevalent throughout nearly every process of industrial automation. It is natural that AI processing and training algorithms will also become increasingly common.

Cognex demonstrated what has been hailed as the world’s first truly AI-embedded 3D vision system, the In-Sight L38. The booth also hosted a basket-shooting competition using cube-shaped objects thrown through a box, while a camera registered barcodes from the flying objects. Sadly, I didn’t do so well, so I think my future career in basketball isn’t looking so great.

 

MiR

Autonomous logistics remains still one of the less-conquered frontiers of robotics. Many facilities have adopted autonomous forklifts and pallet movers, but there are many complexities involved with navigating a shop space.

The recent addition of the MiR1200 pallet jack forklift combines motion planning and obstacle avoidance with AI, intended to continue moving the needle on making faster, smarter, and more capable assistance for logistical challenges.

 

Kawasaki Robotics

We received a sneak peek of Kawasaki Robotics' upcoming collaborative robot series, developed alongside Neura Robotics. The anticipated new lineup was on display, but the formal availability of these new cobots will be forthcoming in the following months, and we can’t wait to find out what’s in store!

 

Doosan

A new palletizing cobot was launched by Doosan, the Prime P3020, and it’s not ‘just another’ addition to the cobot family. Doosan specializes in collaborative models, each one designed for tasks that help improve every aspect of people’s lives, both within industry and within the walls of your house (as evidenced by the espresso and drink mixing bots at the booth).

 

Delta Motion

Nothing will impress an engineer more than the high-speed motion of any assembly that is able to accelerate and decelerate quickly with a heavy load, and then land with incredible precision on a target. It’s a thing of beauty. Delta Motion uses PID and feedback loops with the RMC controllers to drive anything from small electric drives up to massive hydraulic cylinders that move, cut, position, and orient all kinds of objects across many applications.

 

OTTO Motors

Now a division of Rockwell Automation, OTTO Motors is a catalyst in the joining of many ‘islands’ of control automation that are commonly seen on the shop floor. Now, since a comprehensive fleet management system can be integrated with the rest of the control system, an entire process can be automated from the raw product to final shipping with more robotic control than ever before!

 

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Check out more awesome pics from the show!

Data acquisition and measurement tools from Digilent

 

Automation cart from BWT Automation using Leuze and UR components

 

Sample preparation with ABB and Mettler Toledo automation

 

Automation training system from Festo Didactic

 

New industrial PCs (IPCs) from Premio

 

Linear motion from SEW-Eurodrive

 

A huge ABB spot welding robot for automotive manufacturing