"Falling down is allowed; getting back up is mandatory.”
– Jorge Lorenzo, five-time MotoGP world champion
1. High-Fidelity Machining
Seriously, this is some quality audio science! Soraluce, a European CNC machine tool builder, has the tech to control chatter and vibration during cutting operations, similar to noise-canceling headphone technology. Their patented Dynamic Workpiece Stabilizer (DWS) and Dynamic Active Stabilizer (DAS) systems use electromagnetic actuators and accelerometers to read and cancel out machine vibration in real time. Frankly, the tech is more Bose than Focal or Sennheiser, but that’s okay!
2. The Solo
Initially debuted on Penta’s secret Instagram page and later displayed at IMTS 2022, Penta Machine’s latest 5-axis CNC is the Goldilocks between their office-friendly Pocket NC and their small-footprint industrial CNC. However, as of this week, they are officially accepting preorders for 2024 delivery! The Solo fills the gap in the market for a more robust 5-axis milling machine that fits through standard doorways.
3. Humanoid vs. Industrial Mobile Robots
Who are you betting on? Why not both? So, as I’m sure most of you have heard by now, Amazon is taking Agility Robotics’ Digit for a trial run in their warehouses. Well! Things are getting a little spicy, as Boston Dynamics’ chief technology officer, Aaron Saunders, doesn’t believe humanoid robots like Digit are up to the task! Yeah, get your popcorn. Saunders thinks Boston Dynamics’ industrial mobile robot Stretch will be more efficient for such applications. Dude, this is a title fight for technological viability!
4. A New Standard for Additive Construction
ISO and ASTM have published a new standard for 3D printing in construction: ISO/ASTM 52939:2023. It focuses on quality assurance for non-metal 3D printing processes, covering quality control in production and delivery but not for environmental protection, health aspects, or material properties. This should improve construction printing amid labor shortages and help provide sustainable solutions, but hopefully, we won’t see history repeat with lead paint chips, asbestos, or anything of the sort. Fingers crossed!
5. The Potential of Automotive Microfactories
Movie time! Hyundai's new microfactory in Singapore utilizes advanced automation, AI, and robot dogs (probably an army of Spots since Hyundai now owns Boston Dynamics) to revolutionize car manufacturing. The 935,000-square-foot facility aims to produce up to 30,000 cars annually, with robots handling more than half of the manufacturing process! So, if you’re like me, nearly a million square feet doesn’t sound so “micro,” right? For reference, that’s just a third of Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson.
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