Power Pairings in Manufacturing: New Tech Collaborations From Universal Robots, Rhode & Schwarz, Kawasaki Robotics, and More

Technology doesn't advance in isolation. In our 'Power Pairings' round-up series, we spotlight the partnerships that are advancing manufacturing—where companies from different domains, expertise, and technological backgrounds converge to solve industrial challenges or refine industrial solutions.

CAPTRON Now a UR+ Partner

CAPTRON, a manufacturer of sensor technology, is now an official UR+ partner with Universal Robots. CAPTRON's TCP Calibration Sensors, available on the Universal Robots Marketplace, deliver high-precision tool calibration solutions integrated with Universal Robots' collaborative robot (cobot) platforms.

The TCP Laser Calibration Sensors, available in 1.5 and 3 in. (40 and 70 mm) sizes, offer precise tool tip calibration with a reproducibility of 0.0004 in. (0.01 mm). These sensors are designed for dispensing and welding, maximizing accuracy, reducing scrap, and enhancing production quality. With CAPTRON's URCap Software, manufacturers can achieve plug-and-play integration, speeding up deployment and improving efficiency.

Popular tool center point applications include checking the welder gun wire tip after cleaning and calibration of the glue dispensing tip before each process to ensure precision.

CAPTRON's TCP Calibration Sensors and URCap Software are now available through the Universal Robots Marketplace. For more information, visit CAPTRON UR Products.

Rohde & Schwarz, ETS-Lindgren Partner to Advance Next-Gen Wireless Technologies

Rohde & Schwarz and ETS-Lindgren are continuing their long-standing partnership to deliver comprehensive over-the-air (OTA) testing solutions for next-generation wireless technologies.

ETS-Lindgren has integrated the CMX500 one-box signaling tester and R&S SMBV100B vector signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz into its EMQuest software. This collaboration supports the latest standards, including 5G FR1, 5G FR2, Wi-Fi 7, and A-GNSS.

With this integration, the two companies continue their partnership to advance comprehensive testing capabilities for wireless technologies.

The CMX500 offers a wide range of device testing capabilities, supporting cellular and noncellular technologies such as 4G LTE, 5G NR FR1 and FR2, the latest 5G RedCap technology, and Wi-Fi, up to the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard.

The R&S SMBV100B is a vector signal generator that features ultra-high output power and fully calibrated wideband signal generation. It's a full-featured GNSS constellation simulator, and in combination with the CMX500, it can run realistic and repeatable A-GNSS scenarios under controlled conditions.

Integrating these instruments with ETS-Lindgren's anechoic chambers and EMQuest software creates turnkey solutions that allow customers to keep pace with the latest advancements in wireless technology. These solutions are CTIA-certified for 4G and 5G FR1 and support both SISO and MIMO. Carrier aggregation across hundreds of channels and bands is available for 4G and 5G carrier combinations. Additional technologies, such as Wi-Fi up to version 7, Bluetooth, Narrowband NTN, and RedCap are fully supported using Rohde & Schwarz instrumentation and EMQuest software.

Anyline, Modi Team Up to Create Autonomous Drone Scanning for Warehouse Inventory

Anyline, a leader in mobile data capture and data insights created an autonomous drone inventory management software that can scan an entire warehouse efficiently. Anyline worked with Mondi, a leader in packaging and paper, to develop this autonomous drone barcode scanning solution.

Seeking to improve its inventory management process across multiple, large warehouse locations, Mondi tested several technology options including handheld RFID and camera scanners. A breakthrough was achieved when the company engaged Anyline to apply its mobile data capture technology within DJI Mini 3 Pro drones.

Before using barcode scanning drones, multiple workers used forklifts to manually lift two people at a time to scan inventory across large warehouses, sometimes only once per year. This process involves working at heights and, due to the need for space and extra safety measures, had to be done with overtime outside warehouse operating hours. Now, a single drone operator can scan all the inventory aisle-by-aisle in a warehouse during operating hours. The new process is safer, more accurate, and alleviates after-hours warehouse counts.

Kawasaki Robotics Partners With Olis Robotics to Offer Remote Monitoring, Control of Robots

Olis Robotics, a leader in remote error recovery for industrial robots has partnered with Kawasaki Robotics, Inc., a leading supplier of industrial robots and automation systems, to offer customers the ability to restart production faster, reduce troubleshooting and downtime costs by up to 90%, and gain access to expert support quickly.

Olis users connect directly to their robots through an on-premises device through a secure connection, avoiding the risks and complexities associated with cloud-based systems. Olis is designed to always obey the robot controller's safety restrictions.

For example, a robotic corner board system, integrated with a mixed palletizing and depalletizing cell, featuring a Kawasaki RS007L robot, automates placing corner boards on pallets being wrapped, ensuring load stability. The system, handling multiple SKUs of unstructured products, uses Olis Robotics remote error recovery software that alerts users when the robot unexpectedly stops, and when picking or placing a part fails. After a system failure, users use Olis to run a tool inspection routine and perform remote error recovery, allowing the robot to resume its cycle and get back to work.

"Our new partnership supports the industry gamut from smaller first-time end users and their integrator partners up to more complex AI-driven applications in larger plants. All stakeholders can now easily and cost-effectively monitor, access, and recover their robot cells remotely." — Paul Marcovecchio, Director GI Business Unit, Kawasaki Robotics, Inc.