May 2021

NEWS BRIEFS ODVA, THE INTERNATIONAL automation standards organisation, has decided to stop using the terms “master” and slave” to describe the relationship between devices in industrial communications hierarchies. It says it wants to eliminate the use of “hurtful” terminology and help to create a “more inclusive” industry. ODVA has issued new editions of its DeviceNet and ControlNet specification that replace the words “master” and “slave”. In future, it will use the terms:  “client” and “server” for EtherNet/IP;  “controller” and “device” for DeviceNet; and  “system time supervisor” or “active keeper” for ControlNet. Profibus and Profinet International (PI) has told Drives & Controls that it is also planning to stop using the terms “master” and “slave” in its publications. A spokesman for the CC-Link Partner Association Europe says it is aware of the issue and is considering what terms to use in future. ODVA ends the use of ‘hurtful’ master and slave networking terminology n NEWS May 2021 www.drivesncontrols.com 8 ROCKWELLAUTOMATION and the Italian robot-maker Comau have teamed up to offer industrial customers easier, smarter, andmore productive ways to design, deploy, andmanage robot applications. The development will allow engineers to program entire machines, including Comau robot arms, in a single environment controlled via Rockwell Logix-based controllers. They will also be able to use Rockwell’s Studio 5000 design software to simplify the task of coordinating traditionally separate robot andmachine control systems. Machine-builders, systems integrators, and others will be able to use digital engineering tools such as Rockwell’s Emulate 3D digital twin software to create digital models of production lines including Comau robots, and to auto-generate machine control code. “Industrial companies are looking for efficient ways to integrate robotics into their operations for process optimisation and agility,”says Rockwell’s chairman and CEO, Blake Moret, who believes that the collaboration with Comau“will simplify programming and lifecycle management, accelerating time-to-value for our customers.” Rockwell and Comau (which is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) say that their combined technologies will offer benefits beyond enhanced integration. For example, end-users will be able to use analytics and digital twin tools to gain deeper insights into machine performance and production optimisation. They can also use safety and security systems to reduce business risks. Operators on factory floors will be able to use Rockwell’s FactoryTalk software to view both line and robot control systems via a single interface. In-plant and remote technicians will only need to learn and maintain one architecture to monitor both systems. They can also use Rockwell’s augmented reality (AR) tools to improve maintenance. Comau’s portfolio includes more than 40 different industrial robot and cobot arms, with load capacities from 3-650kg. It also supplies automation components.  Comau UK has developed and deployed a semi- automated battery module and battery pack assembly line for the publicly-funded UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Coventry. The line is the first battery manufacturing equipment to be commissioned at the 18,500m 2 centre, which is part of the UK’s Faraday Battery Challenge programme, aimed at fast-tracking the development of high- performance, durable, safe and recyclable batteries. Comau technology is managing the entire process from cell preparation and pouch cell stacking to battery pack assembly. The flexible line will allow UKBIC to manufacture a variety of battery modules and packs, without needing major changes. It can be scaled to handle bigger production volumes. www.rockwellautomation.com www.comau.com Rockwell and Comau simplify robot integration in machines p The Japanesemotor-maker Nidec is investing €1.5bn to build at least two factories in Novi Sad, Serbia, that will manufacture automotivemotors and inverters, with a plannedworkforce of around 1,200.The factories are due to open inmid-2022. Nidec also plans to use the base to launch“multiple” businesses in the future. It has also formed a strategic alliance with the University of Novi Sad. p Wootzano , a three-year-old robotics start-up based in County Durham, has won an order worth more than £300m from a large UK packing house for its Avarai fruit- packing robots – claimed to be one of the biggest orders yet for a UK robotics company. Wootzano’s technology can handle, weigh, inspect and pack delicate produce. It can also predict shelf-lives and cut supply-chain times. p The US-based Robotic Industries Association (RIA) , Motion Control and Motors Association (MCMA) and AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging organisations have merged into the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) , which represents more than 1,100 companies in the automation industry. A newWeb site will serve as a hub for companies or organisations wanting to connect with the automation community. www.automate.org p Omron Industrial Automation Europe has signed a distribution agreement with OnRobot , the Danish manufacturer of tools for collaborative robot (cobot) applications. It will allow Omron to offer OnRobot’s products to its customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa. They say the agreement will give users more agility when implementing cobot systems. p UKIVA (UK Industrial Vision Association) has announced that its 2021 Machine Vision Conference & Exhibition (MVC), due to be held in Milton Keynes on 15 July, will now be an online event. UKIVA is planning to hold its next physical conference and exhibition in Milton Keynes on 28 April 2022. The 2021 conference will be hosted on the Technology Presentation Hub developed by the PPMA Group of Associations. Visitors will have a choice of presentations across eight“theatres”from 15 July. www.machinevisionconference.co.uk p Universal Robots has promoted Mark Gray to the newly-created role of country manager for the UK and Ireland. In his new position, he will continue to educate the market on how cobots can help companies to boost productivity, become more competitive and create more jobs. www.universal-robots.com Robots and other automation equipment supplied by Comau are being used at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry.