When an application calls for synchronous lifting and pushing of a heavy load, rack and pinion jacks are an easy-to-use, economical and effective option. They combine a simple structure, robust design and a wide range of lifting forces, making them highly versatile and particularly attractive for installation in tight spaces and harsh environments. In fact, rack jacks can be installed as a complete system with many configurations, connected to air cylinders and motors, to guide forces to wherever they are needed in complex applications.

Almost 43,000 registrants came together in Chicago to seek out the latest and greatest automation and robotic technologies during Automate 2024 in May. As always, A3 did not disappoint with a comprehensive conference paired with new automation technologies on the exhibition floor.

ABB Robotics has announced its first Flexley Tug T702 autonomous mobile robot equipped with AI-based Visual SLAM navigation technology and the new AMR Studio software, enabling first-time robot users to easily program and operate entire fleets of mobile robots. The new capabilities simplify configuration and can reduce commissioning time by up to 20 percent, paving the way for a workplace where intelligent robots operate autonomously, amid a critical shortage of skilled labor. 

Intralogistics solutions provider Kardex appeared at Automate 2024, North America’s largest robotics and automation event in Chicago (May 6-9), demonstrating the fastest order fulfillment solution per square foot on the market. Kardex FulfillX is a warehouse execution system (WES) purpose-built to allow new AutoStore systems to ramp up faster and is capable of meeting or exceeding business cases in as little as six months. It has been specifically created by experts at Kardex, a global AutoStore partner, to maximize the capabilities of AutoStore robotic cube storage systems for manufacturing customers. 

Motion has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Allied Circuits, an electrical and automation firm. The transaction is expected to close later this month, subject to customary closing conditions.

ABB has announced the launch of its 2024 Robotics AI Startup Challenge, a global competition designed to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in robotics. The challenge is part of ABB’s ecosystem for innovation, with a previous challenge resulting in the acquisition of Sevensense in January 2024, a Swiss-based start-up and leading provider of AI-enabled 3D vision navigation technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). ABB Robotics' latest challenge will foster innovation and collaboration between ABB and pioneering startups and scaleups worldwide. 

Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot (cobot) company, and MiR, the Danish manufacturer of AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), recently celebrated the grand opening of their new 215,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Odense, Denmark. Partners from UR and MiR's global ecosystems attended the event, including NVIDIA and Siemens, with whom Teradyne Robotics and its companies have recently announced several collaborations. 

Precise positioning of semi-conductor wafers during SCARA assembly operations requires instantaneous braking and holding power while minimizing heat in the system. The latest compact and slender Miki Pulley BXR-LE brake models provide the needed perfectly controlled braking in a confined area of the system using minimal power.

Firmly committed to Industry 4.0 and the future of manufacturing, KUKA Robotics will highlight an innovative solution for educating the next generation of workers and its collaboration with three universities on cutting edge Mixed Reality (MR) demonstrations at Automate 2024, May 6 – 9 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

ABB Robotics will celebrate 50 years of robotic innovation with its latest AI-powered robotic solutions that help companies improve production efficiency and quickly adapt to changing market demands at Automate 2024, May 6-9 at McCormick Place in Chicago (Main Booth #2239; Education Pavilion Booth #5672).