In the dynamic world of automation, innovation drives efficiency and productivity. Among the most transformative advancements is the integration of smart materials into custom sensors, offering unparalleled accuracy, adaptability, and durability. Smart materials, also known as intelligent or responsive materials, significantly alter their properties in response to external stimuli such as stress, temperature, moisture, pH, electric, or magnetic fields. These materials include piezoelectric materials, shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, and magnetostrictive (MR) materials, each providing unique benefits in sensor applications. Smart materials detect minute environmental changes, translating them into precise electrical signals. This heightened sensitivity ensures sensors provide more accurate data, crucial for meticulous control and monitoring. Shape memory alloys, for example, change shape with temperature variations, making them ideal for sensors in fluctuating thermal environments. Designed to withstand harsh conditions, smart materials ensure sensors remain functional over extended periods, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Smart material sensors monitor machinery health in real-time, detecting wear and tear early to allow timely maintenance, minimizing disruptions, and extending equipment lifespan. Smart sensors detect anomalies in real-time during manufacturing, ensuring any deviations from specifications are quickly corrected, enhancing product quality. Smart sensors optimize energy consumption by identifying areas for reduction without compromising performance, essential for sustainable and cost-effective operations. The integration of smart materials into custom sensors represents a paradigm shift in industrial automation. As these materials evolve, expect more sophisticated sensors that push technological boundaries. In this article from MIT Technology Review, some of the possible applications on the horizon for these materials are explored. At Intellimech, we endeavor to be the forefront of this revolution, continually striving to implement the latest advancements in smart materials to create innovative solutions when required. By harnessing the power of these materials, we help our partners achieve greater efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Stay tuned to our Latest News page for updates on how smart materials are shaping the future of industrial automation. Together, we are building a smarter, more responsive world.
Get Ready for Something New in 1, 2, 3(D)…
Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the way a great of deal of products are engineered and brought to life. By utilizing additive technology, manufacturers are able to quickly and easily create complex parts and products with greater accuracy and precision than ever before. A very popular material used for additive manufacturing via 3D printing is ceramics. Ceramics are widely adopted in 3D printing due to their strength, durability, and heat resistance. Ceramics are used in additive manufacturing for a wide range of applications, from aerospace and automotive industries to medical and dental implants. Ceramics are ideal for creating intricate components that require high levels of precision and accuracy. They are also being used to create prototypes and parts that cannot be manufactured using traditional methods. The use of ceramics in additive manufacturing is also being combined with automation technologies, such as robotics and machine learning techniques, to make the production process even more efficient. By utilizing this automation, manufacturers can reduce production time and costs while also increasing the accuracy and quality of the finished product. Automation also allows manufacturers to quickly and easily create complex parts and products with greater accuracy and precision than ever before. Additive manufacturing and automation technologies are revolutionizing the way products are created and manufactured. This technology is helping to make the production process faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective. In this article from MIT Technology Review, the invention of a new method of 3D printing using ceramics is discussed along with some benefits of the material itself. If you’re exploring making use of additive manufacturing technologies or interested in using materials like ceramics or composites, connect with the team at Intellimech today. Our highly-experienced engineers can leverage their knowledge and experience to help turn our partners’ visions into reality.
Automation, Anywhere & Everywhere
As automation technology becomes more sophisticated and advanced, it is increasingly being used to automate off-highway applications. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and robots are becoming popular tools for this purpose, as they can provide a cost-effective, efficient and safe way to perform various tasks, such as material handling, inspection and maintenance. AGVs are self-navigating vehicles that can transport materials and products along predefined routes. They are typically equipped with sensors and cameras, which enable them to detect obstacles and follow pre-determined paths. AGVs often employ an onboard controller that allows them to make decisions and adjust their route if needed. Robots are more advanced than AGVs and are capable of performing more complex tasks such as welding, painting and assembly. They are usually equipped with application-specific sensors and machine vision cameras that allow them to identify objects, determine the best path to take, and detect any changes in the environment. Robotic systems are also able to adapt to changes in their environment through machine learning models, making them ideal for off-highway applications. Off-highway automation is becoming increasingly popular in the manufacturing and logistics industries, as companies look to increase efficiency and reduce costs while keeping safety at the forefront of their operations. AGVs and robots can provide this advantage, making them a valuable tool to make use of. In this article from MIT Technology Review, the use of drones and robots along with machine learning methods to perform industrial inspection is discussed. Intellimech’s experience with engineering off-highway automated systems, mobile control, and machine vision can help our partners’ projects go the distance. Connect with us today to discuss the specifics of your application.
Lighter, Stronger, Faster (Choose Three)
The aerospace industry relies on advanced materials, such as composites, to manufacture lightweight and durable aircraft components. The production of these components requires precise and consistent processes, making it an ideal candidate for industrial automation. One key area where automation is used in aerospace composite manufacturing is in the layering and curing of composite materials. This process involves laying layers of composite material, such as carbon fiber or glass fiber, onto a mold and then curing it under high pressure and temperature. Robotic systems are often used to handle the composite material and lay it onto the mold with high accuracy and repeatability. Another area where automation is used is in the inspection of composite components. Machine vision systems, which use cameras and software to analyze images, can be used to inspect the surface finish and dimensions of composite parts to ensure they meet stringent quality standards. In addition to improving efficiency and consistency, the use of automation in aerospace composite manufacturing also has safety benefits. Many of the tasks involved in composite manufacturing, such as handling hazardous materials or working in extreme environments, can be performed by machines rather than humans. Overall, the use of automation in aerospace composite manufacturing has helped the industry produce high-quality components far more efficiently and safely. As the demand for advanced materials in the aerospace industry continues to grow, it is likely that the use of automation will increase in this sector. Intellimech’s team has decades of experience with the engineering, deployment, and support of cutting-edge composites processing technologies to achieve our partners’ target objectives. Contact us today to start the conversation about how Intellimech’s engineers can leverage our talents to help with realizing your goals.
Becoming an Expert at (Robotic) Manipulation
A common challenge when examining manufacturing or laboratory processes is successfully manipulating an object with a variable presentation, i.e. a different orientation, dimension, color, texture, etc., when an element of that process requires uniformity. For instance, consider a pick-and-place system that’s packing ceramic tiles. If the tiles (or any process with a comparatively “large” batch size) are exactly identical, the only variability in presentation may be their orientation on a conveyor. A simple mechanical feature could be used to align the tiles uniformly before presentation to whatever is being used to perform the pick-and-place, whether a SCARA robot, a traditional robot, or a cartesian system. If the tiles (or any process with a “small” or individual batch size) aren’t exactly identical, a machine vision system could determine the color, position offset, and rotation, then communicate that to a motion system which would compensate for the orientation during the pick to place the tile neatly with its same color. Along the same lines, the method used to mechanically accomplish the pick would need to accommodate the product variability; this could be done using anything from vacuum to force-monitored grippers depending on the target. In this article from MIT Technology Review, a research project to develop a more dexterous robot using machine learning is investigated. No matter the challenge with your process, Intellimech’s engineers have the knowledge and experience to help realize your goals and minimize risk. Connect with our team today to explore your particular objectives and how we can help create the application solution you’re seeking.
Giant Steps in Advancing Manufacturing, Microns at a Time
Additive manufacturing methods, especially 3-D printing, are quickly evolving to become commonly employed means of both prototyping and production. The opportunities presented by this unique method of manufacturing can include the ability to create complex parts and geometries that aren’t feasible, or even possible, using some traditional machining or fabrication technologies. In this article from MIT Technology Review, a revolutionary new jet fuel nozzle built by GE Aviation using a metal sintering additive process is explored. Achieving successful output using an additive manufacturing process will often combine many specific technical challenges: precision motion control, high-performance I/O systems for controlling processes, and powerful yet straightforward control and visualization of the entire system. Our engineering team at Intellimech has the in-depth experience needed in several additive manufacturing processes to help your application be successful, whether you’re interested in optimizing your existing system or seeking a completely new methodology to apply to your specific needs. Connect with us today and let us help you get started engineering a comprehensive solution to achieve your goals.
Way More Than Meets the Eye
The prospect of implementing machine vision to successfully realize the goals of an application can sometimes seem daunting at first glance. Selecting an appropriate combination of camera, optics, and lighting for the specific task may be involved but can be critical in enabling the system to effectively meet its objective. Equally important as hardware selection is intelligently making use of software tools to process the visual information being captured. Whether our customers’ applications call for verifying the output from laser marking systems, providing color and fill level inspection for high-speed production processes, inspection of critical feature dimensions, or providing object counts and alignment information on a conveyor, our engineers have experience with integrating a wide variety of machine vision systems and sensors and using cutting-edge software tools to meet and surpass your performance requirements. In this article from MIT Technology Review, continuing development of vision algorithms and their impact on reducing the complexity of hardware required for self-driving vehicles is explored. If you have an application that may benefit from or definitely requires a skilled implementation of machine vision, Intellimech’s engineers are ready to leverage their knowledge to help you succeed. Contact us today to start working towards a solution that meets your needs.
Building Efficiency with Automation
When organizations look at the prospect of creating or expanding a footprint of automation in their facilities and processes, it’s commonplace to examine the effect that the new equipment will have on enhancing productivity. This boost can often manifest itself in several ways: an increase in throughput or capacity, fewer instances of rework or rejected products, applying human talent more usefully to other parts of the process, a reduction of consumables or waste, or a combination of all of these and more. Our engineers at Intellimech are passionate about understanding our partners’ specific needs and concerns. We work closely with you to help maximize the value that applying automation will provide and deliver tangible return on investment. In this article from MIT Technology Review, a new automated system for laying bricks is introduced and discussed. If you’re looking for a solution to positively impact your organization’s efficiency, connect with the team at Intellimech today and we can help you in creating and capturing value in your processes.
A Little Communication Goes a Long Way
No one would argue that effective communication is a hallmark of any successful team. That same principle applies to successful automated solutions, as well. Communication in an industrial environment can take on many different forms, whether it’s an automated cell’s integration with a manufacturing execution system (MES) for recording part history and serialization, or different cells being coordinated by a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, or even sensors providing real-time measurements to a machine’s control system in microseconds in order to make precise adjustments to a process. The engineering team at Intellimech applies their comprehensive knowledge of industrial and machine networks, from Ethernet-based fieldbuses to office IT networks, to make the best possible use of available technologies to successfully realize our partners’ objectives. In this article from MIT Technology Review, the performance improvement in a robotic system employing effective real-time communication is explored. Whether you have an existing automated system that you’d like to examine your options for updating or are interested in a new turnkey system that integrates seamlessly into your specific manufacturing environment, connect with Intellimech today to learn how we can help you surpass your goals.
A Stronger, Lighter Future Thanks to Composites
The race is on for companies to find new, innovative ways to enhance their product offerings, or even develop new ones, by taking advantage of the unique possibilities that composite materials and their associated manufacturing processes offer. At Intellimech, our team has extensive knowledge and decades of experience with composites manufacturing and has delivered solutions for automated fiber placement, automated tape laying, filament winding, and compression molding processes to a number of diverse industries and customers. In this release, Purdue University announces a partnership with other institutions and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop tools and methods for applying composite technologies to vehicles, wind energy, and compressed-gas storage. If you’re considering applying composite materials and automated manufacturing processes, don’t hesitate to contact us. Intellimech’s engineers are committed to helping our partners succeed by applying these cutting-edge technologies and methods to create and capture value.