Mitsubishi Electric’s new collaborative robot, the MELFA ASSISTA, has been developed to work alongside human operators without the need for guards or safety fences, while meeting new requirements for adequate distancing of workers in manufacturing sites. 

From voice control to the implementation of 3D vision, the pace of development in robotics is accelerating rapidly. But perhaps the most significant trend right now is the embedding of artificial intelligence into mainstream robotic systems. This is delivering extended capabilities and enabling the full potential of predictive – even prescriptive – maintenance to be realised.

Applying new technology to a physical process or manufacturing system is an essential part of progress, however the practical side of implementing the latest Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Smart Technology solutions is bringing its own unique challenges. That in turn is leading to new automation solutions.

These smart technologies are extending traditional machine control architectures with more enhanced data processing, learning and decision-making capacity. They hold the potential of increased availability, efficiency and reliability through predictive and prescriptive maintenance, as well as improving productivity with the ability to make autonomous decisions.

The current trend of robot control is changing with PLC-based solutions offering different benefits and opportunities over the traditional dedicated robot controllers. So what needs to be considered when selecting the right solution for the application? Here Barry Weller, Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, looks at how to determine which robot control option is best.

The MR-J4 servo amplifier series from Mitsubishi Electric incorporates a multi-network interface called ‘Servo Open Network’. It enables the user-friendly drive to be compatible with all relevant motion control systems worldwide. Machine manufacturers who offer their solutions globally will benefit from the open network connection feature of the MELSERVO MR-J4 amplifier series. 

Mitsubishi Electric has released the company’s smallest and most powerful compact PLC to date, the FX5UC series Micro PLC. Its diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack ever more functionality into a smaller space - while also providing the web access and network connectivity demanded by the latest Smart Factory applications.

Faster time to market and increased production flexibility can be achieved using Mitsubishi Electric’s M8 Series CNC controllers with Direct Robot Control (DRC) functionality. Both the large touchscreen M800 and the M80 models offer DRC as standard. It allows machine tool operators to program and use robots quickly, direct from the CNC panel without specialist robot programming expertise.

Mitsubishi Electric has extended its MELFA articulated arm and SCARA robot offering to include a range of delta robots. These combine Mitsubishi Electric’s award-winning servo technology with the latest mechanicals from e-F@ctory Alliance partner Codian Robotics. This combination enables the user to achieve reliable performance in higher speed pick and place operations, with the advantage of simple set-up and programming from one the m...

Mitsubishi has announced its decision to invest in BBOXX, a next generation utility. Since its establishment in 2010, BBOXX has provided clean and affordable energy and other essential modern utilities. It delivers innovative solar home systems (SHS) consisting of solar panels, battery storage, and a variety of home appliances on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Mitsubishi Electric has assisted Western Mechanical Handling (WMH) to develop a fully automated inline cell for cutting and slicing food of any size and shape on the fly. The solution is based on Mitsubishi Electric’s MELSEC Q series high-performance PLC, plus system-matched components including HMI, variable speed drives and two MELFA articulated arm robots. The resulting machine maximises performance, flexibility and productivity for cust...

As Industry 4.0 turns into a reality, businesses that are introducing more robots into the production environment will be able to benefit from increasingly efficient maintenance regimes. As with any asset, these critical machines will run at peak efficiency when operators have access to predictive maintenance tools. The latest predictive analytics solution supplied with Mitsubishi Electric industrial robots uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a ...

It has been announced that Mitsubishi Electric has extended its inverter portfolio with a 690V version of its FR-A800 series inverters. The new models of the FR-A870 690V line cover power outputs up to 1.5MW. Yet this increased power is delivered in a slim package that starts at just 380mm wide, offering significant space saving potential. 

With an extended operating temperature range of -20 to +65°C, and protection ratings to IP67F/IP66F, the GOT2507T-WTSD seven inch operator terminal from Mitsubishi Electric meets the needs of harsh and demanding applications. No additional protective measures are required for washdown with high pressure water or use in power equipment that is typically located outdoors. 

It has been announced that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) signed a letter of intent to join the Charter of Trust for Cybersecurity in Tokyo, expanding the Charter's reach into Asia. The membership is expected to be concluded by the end of September, 2019. As the 17th Charter partner, MHI will be the first Asian company to become a member of the global cyber security initiative.

The perfect beer is a harmonious blend of art and science. Automation can help by performing the measured and repetitive tasks while allowing brewers to focus on more creative, interesting and rewarding aspects. So when Sadler’s Ales, a historic Black Country brewery, started to grow its business, it decided to adopt an automated process control solution from Mitsubishi Electric to improve productivity and make the quality of its craft...

Recent developments are opening new opportunities and catapulting the industrial robot arm into a journey around the production environment. Robots undoubtably take the drudgery out of many repetitive manufacturing, packaging and processing tasks. Engineers are generally fascinated by the idea of improving production processes and keen to integrate robots, so the decision as to whether one is used or not boils down to economics; operators wa...

It seems a long time ago now since various malware attacks on the operational layer changed the security landscape and highlighted vulnerabilities in the de-facto automation architecture. However, as we move along the road towards Smart Manufacturing with a view to improving efficiency, productivity and reliability of supply using the principles of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the subject of cyber-security is becomin...

Automation has always lent itself to the manufacture of mass produced disposable medical devices and the bulk processing of samples - for two main reasons; initially for speed and repeatability, and then because human presence poses one of the biggest contamination risks in a clean production or processing environment.

Through its new cloud-based solution for pro-active maintenance based on the AI platform within IBM Watson Mitsubishi enables smart analysis of operational data to predict and highlight future maintenance requirements. The theory is that sometimes service schedule requirements for robots are inadvertently missed which, despite the extended duty-cycles and the general reliability of modern robots, is not a healthy situation for continuous pla...