Cleaning up one of Tasmania’s dirtiest jobs
16 March, 2009Zinc smelting began in 1917 on the site of Nyrstar’s Hobart plant in Tasmania. For generations it has involved hard, dirty and risky jobs. One of the toughest — skimming the waste ‘dross’ off molten zinc just poured into ingot moulds — was done by hand with a rake, until four ABB industrial robots took it over in 2008.
Robotic tool changer module
14 March, 2009 byATI-Industrial Automation has introduced a high-power tool changer electrical module that passes current up to 28 A, 500 VAC/700 VDC and includes Amphenol MS-style connectors and a protective earth safety ground. Other features include a fluid-resistant seal on the contacts and specially designed contact pins for low resistance.
Robotic tool changer module
28 January, 2009ATI-Industrial Automation has introduced a high-power tool changer electrical module that passes current up to 28 A, 500 VAC/700 VDC and includes Amphenol MS-style connectors and a protective earth safety ground.
RMIT student wins robotics award
08 January, 2009Chun-Yen Lai from RMIT University has won ABB's 2008 National Robotics Innovation Competition, after devising a robot that automated the manufacture of key furniture components.
CSIRO mine automation technology goes global
20 October, 2008CSIRO has signed an agreement to commercialise its innovative underground longwall automation system, known as LASC technology, with one of the world’s largest longwall mining original equipment manufacturers, Joy Australasia.
Rio Tinto's Pilbara train drivers set to strike
08 October, 2008Train drivers at Rio Tinto's Pilbara operations are expected to walk off the job for 12 hours this Saturday 11 October, as part of a push by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to get driver compensation for Rio's planned driverless train system.
Robots help recreate the Big Bang
26 September, 2008Two of ABB's IRB 140 robots were part of the laser welding system that manufactured the two accelerator rings of the Large Hadron Collider, located at CERN on the Swiss-French border.
Clean room robot
05 September, 2008ABB has upgraded its IRB 6640 robot to create a ‘clean room’ version. Working in close cooperation with strategic partners from the photovoltaic industry, the project was undertaken in response to the strict specifications for thin film production processes used in solar module manufacturing, where cleanliness is a critical factor.
Solar cell production robot
05 September, 2008ABB has announced a standard compact solution for solar cell manufacturing plants — the FlexPicker-System Solar. The standardised robotic cell was specially designed for loading, unloading and handling processes in automated production lines for solar cells.
Research and development helps Australian manufacturers
25 July, 2008Melbourne-based automation and robotics specialist Andrew Donald Design Engineers is reaping great benefits from its work with Australian manufacturers. The company works with its customers to design automated processes to improve efficiency and productivity, and with its strong focus on research and development, has claimed the Australian Government’s R&D Tax Concession since 1998.
Automatic identification of robot faults
02 May, 2008ABB Australia, a leading power and automation technology group, has announced a service concept for its customers’ robots that will identify and predict problems remotely, then automatically dispatch help.
Robot software
17 April, 2008ABB has announced that it has further enhanced its IRC5 controller operating system with the latest release of RobotWare. RobotWare 5.10 adds a host of improvements aimed at delivering greater levels of control and accuracy for robot applications.
High payload robot
20 February, 2008ABB has announced the launch of a new stronger robot, IRB 6640. This new robot is perfect for various applications within material handling, machine tending and spot welding.
Robotics innovation competition
22 August, 2007ABB Australia has launched the ABB Australia and the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia inaugural National Robotics Innovation competition.
Centre for mine automation to be established
09 July, 2007Rio Tinto has announced major funding for one of the world’s largest civilian robotics research centres, a centre for mining automation, which will be based at The University of Sydney.
