“The key to success is not through achievement, but through enthusiasm.”
– Malcolm S. Forbes
1. Walmart Did It First
Amazon's developed a new camera system that can identify items as they move down conveyor belts without the need for barcodes. The system is currently being used in two warehouses and is able to identify items with 99% accuracy. The system is still being fine-tuned, and the ultimate goal is to have robots handle the items instead of people. The system is expected to speed up the process of getting packages to customers more quickly and accurately. I’m just saying that Walmart uses a similar strategy by putting hidden digital watermarks in their Great Value brand products.
2. Variable Geometry Print Nozzle
Sculpman is a Belgian startup company that has developed a technology called a “variable nozzle.” This nozzle can be changed to any size during the printing process and can rotate like a calligraphy pen, allowing for the printing of objects with different widths. This can dramatically increase the speed of printing, as demonstrated with a life-sized head model printed in only four hours. Sculpman does not intend to build printers with this nozzle but to work with OEMs to integrate their technology into other 3D printers. While it is an interesting technology, it may be complicated and difficult to use in the real world.
3. Can’t Spell 'Army' Without (Robot) 'Arm'!
The U.S. Army is testing out a new robotic arm to help load artillery rounds, which would help reduce fatigue and injuries among soldiers caused by the prolonged lifting and placing of 100-pound rounds of ammunition. This robotic arm would also help increase the Army's rates of artillery fire. Additionally, the Army is also testing out other robotic augments, such as the Soldier Assistive Exosuit for Resupply, which helps reduce lower back pain. These welcome technologies would provide a helping hand to all 13Bs, as well as make them more combat-effective.
4. A Sports Car for Chasing Microns
The Emira is Lotus Cars’ latest sports car, which employs the latest high-tech quality control technology. Lotus has invested in a 5-axis HC-90TR twin-arm coordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufactured in Castle Donington by LK Metrology, along with advanced, triple-laser cross scanners to automatically measure features on both sides of the car simultaneously. The car’s production also highlights the benefits of the rapid-point cloud acquisition and digitization provided by the CMM, which is much faster than traditional methods and allows for 100% inspection of the Emira. And to think they used to be just two blokes building rattle traps in a shed!
5. Robots With 3D Vision Are the Future of QA/QC
Robotic 3D vision systems are being used in various industries to improve quality control. This technology is being used in metalworking, welding, automotive assembly, and more. This article also discusses how machine learning and calibration adjustments can be used to improve 3D vision systems, and it provides advice for decision-makers interested in using these tools.
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