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The robotics industry’s most prestigious award will be presented May 8 at Automate in Chicago.

Stephen Greene, Vice President, Global Marketing and Stratus Strategic Partnerships of Intelligent Platform Solutions answers five questions on quality.

ROME—Automation firm Comau and aerospace supplier Leonardo S.p.A. are working together to develop self-adaptive robotic technology that can autonomously inspect helicopter blades up to 7 meters long.

System integration strategies vary by industry and project scale. Success relies on thorough planning and execution, especially in machine vision technology. Here are key integration elements for success with vision technologies.

Automating testing and inspection requires careful consideration of tools, including robot type, end-of-arm tooling, and ancillary systems. While cobots are popular for quality tasks, their full collaborative capabilities may not be utilized in some applications, leading to higher costs without maximizing benefits.

Automation systems encompass various technologies beyond just robots, such as machine vision. Integrating machine vision with robots enhances automation capabilities. Advancements like 3D imaging, AI software, and industrial computing are driving new applications and efficiencies across industries.

Automation in manufacturing, particularly in quality control, is crucial for boosting productivity and reducing errors amid a shortage of skilled operators. Vision system technology offers a powerful solution, automating measurement and inspection processes to streamline operations and enhance accuracy.

Quality organizations are at the forefront of adopting AI in electronics manufacturing, addressing well-defined challenges that impact business efficiency. While traditional quality control methods like functional tests and visual inspection are common, AI's integration is revolutionizing these processes with advancements in machine vision and enhanced analytical capabilities.

Manufacturing automation is on the rise, offering quality control workers a career advantage. Stefan Friedrich of New Scale Robotics notes that as manufacturers embrace automation, it becomes more user-friendly, aiding new workers in using robots and software effectively.

Automate 2024 is seeing record registrations, indicating a surge in automation growth in North America. Anticipated sales recovery in the latter half of 2024 spans industries like healthcare, construction, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, driven by the recognition of automation's benefits in handling challenging tasks.