Holiday from Cutbacks: Prosperity at Fronius All Yearlong

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

I was talking to Stephanie Sartwell at Fronius today and so glad to hear some genuine good holiday news. In a time when most companies are pulling back, many are cutting back and some hurting a lot … this one is prospering and hiring.

Blue skies at RIA member Fronius in Brighton, Michigan

Their office in Brighton, Michigan is nestled in a vibrant pocket of scenic Michigan. Inside are really enthusiastic people who work for a company that has long been a leader in digital welding technology. There have been no layoffs this year; no cutbacks, according to Ms. Sartwell. Business has been good.

Looking back at where they started, as a maker of battery chargers and welding transformers, one can trace the roots of their success today based on a core value “… to continue to foster employees’ enthusiasm for customer-oriented activities and innovations in battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics, and to secure financial independence.”

Talking with Ms. Sartwell is a good way to catch a dose of what drives the success of Fronius – she is enthusiastic and passionate.

“Fronius avoids debt and uses cash which works well in these economic down times,” said Ms. Sartwell. She has happy news to share that they are growing and hiring (executive sales assistant for the Brighton location and area sales manager to work in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area).

“Not everyone’s hurting,” she said, “and it is nice to be able to talk about ones that are prospering.”

We had a good chat that seemed worth sharing. Fronius is a newer member of Robotic Industries Association, and one we are glad to have. Get to know them and all of RIA’s members in the New Year, won’t you? It is a good way to learn about the best new products for users of robotics and automation.

Happy Holidays!

Motion Controls Robotics Handles Economy and Material

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

Demand is up at Motion Controls Robotics, an RIA member since 2005. Unit volume is up, especially for used systems, while revenue is holding its own and may well rise above last year’s mark according to President, Scott Lang.

We were chatting about new content he had posted on Robotics Online (see their video), and he mentioned his company’s expertise in lights-out warehouse design. This includes the integration of automated guided vehicles and automation of the process all the way to truck loading.

Motion Controls Robotics’ customers range in applications from paper to food and beverage, and in many cases the common thread is material handling. They also have a reputation for arc welding systems which leverages their design strength for complex path planning.

President Lang takes solid aim at improving a customer’s bottom line through gains in efficiency and quality. He is on a mission to “keep North American manufacturing competitive” and he backs it up with a successful company stocked with plenty of talent and design resources.

It is hard to argue with success. Business is good for this Ohio-based company and solid results keep their customers strong and happy.

Robot Company Builds Big Reputation on Batches of One

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

If you looked for 10 years to find a robotic solution for welding structural steel and couldn’t find one suitable for low production runs you might conclude this is not a good application for robots. Unless you are Waiward Steel Fabricators, deemed one of Canada’s 50-Best Managed Companies – then maybe you would persist until you finally found it: SmartTCP of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

SmartTCP, an RIA member company since 2007, specializes in robotic welding for batches of one. But how do you justify a robot system for such low runs? It helps if the system is off the shelf and can be installed in six weeks and be run by two operators instead of eight.

Waiward Steel is a big company with big jobs and stakes its reputation on quality. They supply beams, heavy plate work and other steelwork where piece count may be high and often no two fabrications exactly alike.

SmartTCP is a small company that takes on big jobs that other robot companies don’t want. Winning a job from Waiward Steel is a credit to SmartTCP’s reputation. See Robotics Online for the press release about how Waiward Steel chose SmartTCP for a job 10 years in the making. (SmartTCP Chosen by Waiward Steel to Automate Structural Steel Welding Processes.)

If this blog was of interest, you might want to read another blog about SmartTCP: Fabricating Big, Complex Parts with SmartTCP Robot

Parallel Robot from FESTO Parts

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

Parallel (a.k.a. Delta) robots have been around for years but they have such an unconventional look many still consider them to be new in the industry. They are fun to see in action which is no doubt a factor in why FESTO made one entirely from their own components.

Making novel devices, from mechanical jellyfish to flying penguins, is one way FESTO shows the range of possibilities for their products. I had the good fortune to visit the FESTO Road Show and see their proof of concept for a parallel robot. Dennis Adams, who showed me around, said they don’t plan to get into the robot making business, but are (once again) demonstrating how far you can take their products. See for yourself…

The Straight Poop on Material Handling Robots

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

It is a good day when a company that makes home gardening products out of cow droppings can make a case for using robots. This certainly is true for one client of Practical Robotic Services.

“It is green packaging and good business,” said Frank Pagano, General Manager of Practical Robotic Solutions. His company designed a system that uses a Kawasaki robot to handle trays used in the drying process for flowerpots made of cow dung.

“Pots are formed on a forming machine and placed on trays for the drying rack,” said Pagano. “The robot works with an integrated lift to destack the trays and keep things moving.”

Robots are famous for efficiency and affordability, so even a small company can take advantage of the green benefits of the technology. For instance, energy savings and less waste (thanks to an improved process) all play a role in reducing a company’s carbon footprint.

In the end, cost savings usually motivate customers, so it is always nice when a side benefit is preserving jobs. Says Pagono, one customer (a toy maker) avoided the need to outsource to China by installing robots in the injection molding process. The arrangement kept people working right inside the company’s homeland and they are competitive in the global market.

Material handling is one of the most common ways robots are used and Practical Robotic Services specializes in this application. An RIA member since 2006, they are consultants and assist customers with automation planning and implementation. The company provides programming, control design, robot teaching and end-of-arm-tooling.

Packaging Robots at Front of Economic Recovery

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

More than one RIA member has told me the packaging industry is an important early indicator for the economy, and that activity in this sector is looking good according to sources at DE-STA-CO and Adept Technology.

I was recently chatting with Ron Micallef of DE-STA-CO who has a feeling robots will at some point overtake dedicated automation for packaging applications. He explained that DE-STA-CO does a lot of business in end effectors and does quite well in applications such as bag handling.

Ron observed that one of the driving forces for packaging is a growing emphasis on mixed lots for food products. Another is the emphasis on safety and cleanliness, both of which tend to be highly regulated. These thoughts were with me after Ron’s lunch visit, and the case for robots in the food and packaging sectors crystalized even more when I switched on Adept’s fourth quarter report back at the office. 

“There is a tremendous amount of pressure now on food manufacturers to be able to have a lot of flexibility in their packaging,” said Adept Technology President and CEO, John Dulchinos. “And to do that, they are kind of forced into the scenario where they either have to do it by hand or the only alternative to that is robots.”

He went on to say that the packaging business “. . . continues to be our strongest market as we are seeing continued demand for automated packaging solutions from the food handling and pharmaceutical industries, particularly in France. The recent global pandemic is a reminder of the importance of sanitary food handling and food manufacturers are intent on finding ways to protect their consumers, and ultimately their businesses.”

Companies around the world have been affected by continued weakness in the global economy, but many observers, including RIA, feel there is reason to believe the bottom has been reached. Robots merit serious consideration as businesses look to satisfy pent up demand for capital equipment that is affordable, reliable and flexible.

At the same time robots can fulfill a company’s need for better automation, they also help domestic manufacturers cope more effectively with federal mandates and regulations.

“If you look at specific products and markets, like pharmaceutical products, food products, the financial equation or the regulatory environment doesn’t justify moving those to less regulated markets or far-away markets,” said Dulchinos. “And so I don’t see a day where food will all come from China. I think food factories are going to China to service the China market but it doesn’t make sense to produce a Twinkie in China and ship it all the way to the U.S. The equation doesn’t make sense. So there will always be a strong need for equipment here.”

Whether it is end effectors or whole robot systems, RIA members like DE-STA-CO and Adept are enabling more customers to take advantage of affordable robotic automation as a way to combat the pressure of tight budgets and consumer demand for variety at a low price. It is no surprise that these RIA companies are leaders in the industry and should be at the top of any list for business partnerships. To find companies that fit your needs and are seriously committed to robotics, visit Robotics Online at www.robotics.org.

Editor’s note: Quotes and references to Adept Technology taken from material published by Seeking Alpha in, “Adept Technology, Inc. F4Q09 (Qtr End 06/30/09) Earnings Call Transcript.” Attributions to Ron Micalleff of DE-STA-CO based on one-on-one discussions with him.

Roadmap to the Future Examined at Robotics Industry Forum

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

A number of interesting forecasts about robotics are in circulation these days, with governments and think tanks around the world paying close attention to the possibilities. Healthcare is quickly adapting to robotics on the heels of success from da Vinci robotic systems. Commercial viability for agriculture and domestic services is gaining traction with robots milking cows and cleaning floors. Many countries are funding R&D for robotics, and a few are emerging as leaders in certain sectors.

Robotic Industries Association has renowned expert Henrik Christensen, the driving force behind the U.S. roadmap for robotics, as a guest speaker at the Robotics Industry Forum, January 20-22, 2010, in Orlando, Florida. He will share insights about trends in research and development and give his views on the future of robotics.

Although it is a members-only function, the Forum is not confined to just Robotic Industries Association. It includes networking functions with members of Automated Imaging Association and Motion Control Association. This is a new networking combination designed to help speed the adaptation of new robot, machine vision and motion innovations to traditional and not-so-traditional applications.

To preview the background information about the U.S. roadmap for robotics, see “Roadmap to the Future” on Robotics Online.

Optimism Sensed at ATI Open House

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

As usual, ATI Industrial Automation brought together a good crowd of robot makers, integrators and users at its summer open house in Orion Township, Michigan. Guests hailed from far and wide, with interests ranging from oil drilling in Alberta, Canada to press handling in the Great Lakes states and beyond.

With expertise in tool changers, collision sensors, deburring tools and force/torque sensors, ATI is well known in a wide variety of applications and industries. Their Michigan office, near the Palace of Auburn Hills, makes it convenient for industry giants and key players in the robotics industry to gather and exchange ideas and see old friends.

An open house like this is a good way to get insight into trends. There was a general feeling that an economic rebound is on the horizon, and if pent up demand is about to break out then ATI has many ways to help customers make up for lost time.

Is wireless technology ready for primetime in the manufacturing sector? ATI experts looked at this issue and the more traditional network backbones found in Ethernet and Profibus. How refined is robotic deburring and material removal? Thanks to ATI force/torque sensors and products like Flexdeburr and Speedeburr there are many success stories in this area.

Classic products like tool changers and collision sensors were on display as were several new devices. Some will have seen the new giant tool changer used for heavy payloads during the International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show. Their tool changers are even used by medical robots and their new force/torque sensors work under water.

Some of ATI’s visitors have a long journey back home and others were practically within walking distance, but all were treated to a good networking event and a chance to see new technology that can make them more competitive. We were honored to see a large plaque declaring RIA membership since 1995, and salute everyone that made time in their schedule to go to their open house.

Harley-Davidson Rides Robots for Growing Demand on New Tri Glide

Harley-Davidson leads the way at President Barack Obama's inauguration parade with new Tri Glide Ultra Classic

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

RIA member Harley-Davidson has a good news story with their new Tri Glide Ultra Classic, a three-wheel motorcycle just launched in June of 2008 and enjoying growing demand today. If you watched President Barack Obama’s inauguration you would have seen a formation of Harley-Davidson police motorcycles with side-cars (on robotically welded frames) led by the new Tri Glide Ultra Classic police version of its new trike.

 

Demand for the Tri Glide is up and Harley-Davidson is increasing capacity. Their company took steps last year to control costs and appear to be coping with the economic downturn far better than their automotive counterparts. Robots help Harley-Davidson meet quality goals and help them control costs.

 

Mike Kunkle, a Senior Manufacturing Engineer with Harley-Davidson, has contributed his time and talent to Robotic Industries Association on the R15.06 Standards Committee and as a member of its Board of Directors for more than seven years. RIA is proud to have Harley-Davidson as a member and Mike as a guiding influence for Association activities.

 

RIA salutes this great American company and its commitment to robots and robot safety. It is truly good news to hear their company is experiencing a smoother ride than most in today’s bumpy economy.

Rank higher in Robotics Online search results with free POP points!

By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, Robotic Industries Association

 

For a limited time, you can get free POP points that allow you to rank higher in Robotics Online searches. Normally $495, POP points are included at no charge with any advertising bundle order in October.

 

What is a bundle?

Qualified members get free or deeply discounted ads in the Robotics Industry Directory. A bundle upgrades these ads from good to better and includes online ads at discount rates. Bundle advertisers save money and stand out online and in print.

 

What is a POP point?

Similar to how AdWords work on Google, POP points increase your visibility to Robotics Online users through a weighting system that jumps member content ahead of those with less points in a category. You choose the categories and apply the POP points yourself. Order an ad bundle and get FREE POP points!

 

Why October?

Robotic Industries Association goes into production for its 2009 Robotics Industry Directory soon. Members must tell us now of any plans to use their ads. For most, that is free. The bundle is for anyone anticipating 12 months of online ads beyond the print Directory and interested in an arrangement that saves money. POP points are for good customers and a way for us to give sincere thanks.

 

Order Bundle by                   Get this many POP points

October 10                             10 ($4,950 value!)

October 17                             8 ($3,960 value!)

October 24                             6 ($2,970 value!)

October 31                             4 ($1,980 value!)

 

How to order a bundle

Call me and I’ll handle the paperwork (see below for rates). At some time, the process will be run from the Member Control Panel. Soon, it will be so you can purchase and manage your ads in full from this dashboard. Until then, please contact me at 734/994-6088 or by email.

 

For people in the business, Robotics Online is the number-one website on industrial robotics technology and generates thousands of advertising clicks every year. According to Google Analytics, some 18,000 “Absolute Unique Visitors” come around each month and do so much they make better than five times their mass in “Pageviews” running toward 98,000 per month. Thanks to search engine optimization, it is common to see member content indexed by Google and served up from Robotics Online in their searches. POP over and see what you get – great things are waiting for you.

 

FYI – Bundle Rates

Bronze Supplier: $1,500 ($2,160 in pieces)

Silver Supplier: $7,900 ($11,420 in pieces)

Gold Supplier: $7,500 ($10,135 in pieces)

Platinum Supplier: $7,300 ($11,535 in pieces)

 

Integrators: $3,910 ($5,535 in pieces)

 

Sincerely,

Brian Huse

Director, Marketing & PR

Robotic Industries Association

900 Victors Way, P.O. Box 3724, Ann Arbor, MI 48106

734/994-6088

bhuse@robotics.org