Where did the word “robot” come from?
The origin of the term robot can be traced back to the Czech play “Rossum’s Universal Robots” from 1920. Robot is the English version of the Czech word robota which means forced labour.
Notes from the RIA webinar
In a Robotics Online webinar hosted by A3, the Association for Advancing Automation on January 9, Russ Lauer, Director of Automation Sales for Ehrhardt Engineered Solutions, and Rob Veldhuis, Director of Sales for Systematix Automation, shared their expertise on purchasing an automated system.
Russ and Rob offered actionable insights for manufacturers looking to purchase an automation system, ranging from single-station units to large, multi-station systems. Below are the key takeaways for the different topics covered in the webinar:
Inspection best practices
Automating Small Parts Assembly 102 – Inspection
Advances in sensor technology and machine vision capabilities are making automated inspection a strategic, cost-effective solution. The benefits of properly implemented inspection automation include time savings, consistency, increased quality, and reduced labor requirements. With data collection and analysis built into the system, defect prevention and process improvements can also be achieved. When incorporating inspection into an automated assembly process, there are many important factors to consider.
Design rules and essentials
The most important rule when designing a small parts assembly process is to keep it simple. Don’t try to automate so much that the machine, controls and operating procedures become complex, inconsistent and unreliable. Simplicity is essential for a reliable assembly process with minimal downtime.