Joseph F. Engelberger, an engineer and entrepreneur who pioneered the robotics field, died peacefully at his home on the morning of December 1, 2015, in Newtown, Conn. Engelberger – widely known as the “Father of Robotics” and creator of the world’s first industrial robot – revolutionized modern industrial and automotive manufacturing processes and went on to establish robotics in human services. Engelberger was 90 years old. Born July 26, 1925 in Brooklyn, New York, Engelberger earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University. An industry advocate, author, and international ambassador for robotics,…
North American sales of machine vision systems and components grew 6% to $1.8 billion through September, the market’s highest total for the first nine months of a year in history, according to new statistics issued by AIA, the industry’s trade group. Total machine vision sales include sales of machine vision systems and components. The machine vision systems category saw a year over year increase of 6% to $1.5 billion in the first half of 2015. Machine vision systems include application specific machine vision (ASMV) systems and smart cameras. ASMV systems increased 8% to $1.3 billion in the first nine months…
The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has awarded ABB Robotics with accreditation status for its robotics training courses. IACET Accredited Providers are the only organizations approved to offer IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs). CEUs are nationally recognized by a wide range of organizations, including professional associations, regulatory boards, corporations and universities; CEUs can also be transferable college credits. “ABB Robotics is proud of our education programs which train 3,000 manufacturing and industrial automation professionals each year in important robotic operation and programming disciplines,” said Christelle Keefer, director of training, ABB Robotics. “Our partnership with IACET is a…
Matrix Design has received the RIA Certified Robot Integrator designation. In order to become certified, Matrix Design, LLC completed a rigorous process which includes an on-site audit and testing of key personnel among other important criteria. “We congratulate Matrix Design, LLC for joining our growing list of RIA Certified Robot Integrators,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of RIA. “RIA Robot Integrator Certification is a key differentiator for integrators and automation users. Based on industry feedback, we have found that achieving certification has proven to be valuable for integrators looking to showcase their capabilities to both users and suppliers.” “We are thrilled…
Yaskawa Motoman has announced a new leader for their North American sales and marketing team, as well as key organizational changes. Scott Jenkins has joined Yaskawa Motoman as vice president of North American sales and marketing. “Scott brings several years of executive-level industry experience in sales and marketing,” said Steve Barhorst, president and COO of Yaskawa Motoman. “He is a proven executive that delivered exceptional results for ITW Welding Group, a well-respected technologies organization. We are fortunate to have Scott join our executive leadership team, bringing a breadth of knowledge in sales, marketing and product development.” Jenkins was formerly senior…
Nidec Minster Corporation has received the RIA Certified Robot Integrator designation after completing a rigorous process which includes an on-site audit and testing of key personnel among other important criteria. “We congratulate Nidec Minster Corporation for joining our growing list of RIA Certified Robot Integrators,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of RIA. “RIA Robot Integrator Certification is a key differentiator for integrators and automation users. Based on industry feedback, we have found that achieving certification has proven to be valuable for integrators looking to showcase their capabilities to both users and suppliers.” “As the only metal-forming OEM to achieve this distinguished…
The Robotic Industries Association (RIA) today announced the launch of a website paying tribute to Joseph F. Engelberger, known as the “Father of Robotics.” Engelberger, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, was an engineer and entrepreneur who pioneered the robotics field. Engelberger founded the world’s first robotics company, Unimation, in 1956. The tribute site is located on the RIA website, Robotics Online. “It’s important to remember our history in robotics,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of RIA. “This website provides a timeline of his many accomplishments in the field of robotics that is still revolutionizing modern manufacturing processes today.” RIA also…
Diversey Care, a division of Sealed Air, has taken home two of the ISSA Innovation Awards presented at the ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America exhibition in Las Vegas. The awards recognize groundbreaking products and services in the cleaning and sanitation industry. The winners were the TASKI swingo 2100 micro-rider and TASKI Intellibot SWINGOBOT 755, two floor cleaning machines. The TASKI swingo 2100 micro-rider is among the smallest machines in its category, using on-board solutions to reduce labor, chemical, water and energy. The TASKI Intellibot SWINGOBOT 755 is a compact scrubber that enables staff to clean both the floors and other areas at…
Bastian Solutions, a global material handling systems integrator, has announced the expansion of its AutoStore distribution territory. In addition to the U.S. and Canada, Bastian Solutions will now sell and integrate the AutoStore robotic goods-to-person system in Latin America, India, Australia, and New Zealand. “AutoStore provides unmatched storage density and flexibility as well as a high level of throughput and reliability—features our clients, in the U.S. and around the globe, are looking for in their distribution centers,” said Derek Cribley, director of systems engineering at Bastian Solutions. “With key customers looking to integrate this level of automation, we are pleased…
Robot orders and shipments in North America set new records in the first nine months of 2015, according to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group. A total of 22,427 robots valued at $1.3 billion were ordered from North American companies in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of 6% in units and 9% in dollars over the same period in 2014, which held the previous record. Robot shipments to North American customers through September totaled 21,436 robots valued at $1.2 billion, breaking the previous record set in 2014 by 16% in units and 10% in dollars.…
