President´s Report

More than 150,000 new industrial robots were sold all over the world in 2011! This is by far the highest number of sold robots ever recorded in one year.  Robot suppliers are increasing capacities and the success story of industrial robots is ongoing.

IFR Round Table on the Industrial Breakthrough with Robots

CEO's will discuss at AUTOMATICA

The first results of World Robotics 2012 will be presented and afterwards the CEOs of important robotics companies will discuss on "Industrial Breakthrough with Robots".

Finalists nominated for the 8th IERA Award

Session and Presentation at AUTOMATICA in Munich

Five Finalists have been nominated by the IERA Award Committee to present their story of the genesis of a successful innovative product in robotics and automation in a IERA Award Session at AUTOMATICA.

Robot Manufacturers at AUTOMATICA

Many square metres occupied by IFR Members

AUTOMATICA has become established as the leading innovation platform of the automation industry after only four events and one of the world's largest robotics fair. Many IFR members will present their innovations at AUTOMATICA 2012, which will take place on the grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 22 to 25 May 2012.

New IFR Association Member

Malaysia Robotics and Automation Interest Group (MYRAIG)

We are glad to welcome our new IFR Association member MYRAIG the Malaysia Robotics and Automation Interest Group located in Serdang, Malaysia.

Stäubli, France - IFR-Partner

TP80 Fast Picker: The next Generation of High Speed Picker

Stäubli Robotics is introducing the TP80 Fast Picker, a new series of high-speed pickers that deliver greater speeds, up to 200 picks per minute, and more flexibility at a lower cost to the packaging market. Stäubli has long set the standard for high speed and precision in robotic performance, ensuring the highest possible throughput and shortest cycle times.

Schunk, Germany - IFR Partner

Powerball arm: Maneuverable, powerful and high-precision

The Powerball concept from SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems, takes another step forward: With the fifth generation lightweight arm, the pioneer of modular robotics presents an especially compact and flexible aid for stationary and mobile applications in service robotics and industrial handling.

Reis, Germany - IFR-Partner

Take it easy - Technolam ease their workers from heavy loads

Technolam, one of the three leading suppliers for base materials in Europe, automated the supply to the automatic cutting machines using robots from Reis.

ABB, Sweden - IFR-Partner

Fast and flexible, safe and strong

ABB has provided a turnkey automated welding line for China's newest and technically most advanced automotive factory. The highly flexible solution enables different car models to be produced on the same line and performs 4,000 welding operations that are 25 percent faster and 30 percent stronger than conventional welding.

Adept, USA - IFR-Partner

Clean Solution for Chocolate Factory

A large Korean based chocolate company specializes in making variety of chocolates in large volume. The company thrives to deliver high quality chocolates packed into a specialized box in variety of shapes and forms.

Kawasaki, Germany - IFR Partner

Automation at the highest degree: How to manage 6 dimensions in only one system

Quality food is no standard product / Individual solutions for sorting and handling of raw material, developed by CLK (Münster, Germany) combined with Kawasaki Robot technology

KUKA, Germany - IFR Partner

Extreme loads in extreme settings

The KUKA "titan" heavy-duty robot enables increased output in the core shop at the "Fritz Winter Eisengießerei" foundry. The use of robots improves ergonomics and reduces the strain on the worker, while increasing the process quality at the same time.

Reis, Germany - IFR-Partner

Laser welding - too Dangerous for Humans

A Medium-sized manufacturer of hygienic furniture relies on laser welding to produce high quality products. Laser Welding cannot be done manually due to safety reasons. Thus, the use of a robot and a special welding cabin is necessary to protect humans.

KUKA, Germany - IFR Partner

Testing to the limits with KUKA

Zwick, based in Ulm-Einsingen, began manufacturing testing machines back in 1938 and grew, in the ensuing decades, to become one of the world's leading manufacturers of machines for materials testing. The company is steeped in tradition and its product range covers materials testing machines for compression, tensile and bending tests on material specimens, workpieces and components. In order to enable the testing systems to work around the clock and with consistent accuracy, Zwick has automated the handling of specimens using robots from KUKA.

RIA, USA - IFR Industry Association

2011 is Record-Breaking Year for North American Robotics Industry

North American robotics companies sold more robots in 2011 than ever before. A total of 19,337 robots valued at $1.17 billion were sold to companies in North America, beating the previous record of 18,228 robots sold in 2005. 

RIA, USA - IFR Industry Association

Catherine Morris of ATI Becomes First Woman Chair of RIA

Catherine Morris has been named the first woman Chair of Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry trade group representing more than 265 companies involved in robotics in North America.   Morris becomes RIA's 20th Chair since its founding in 1974, succeeding Dean Elkins of Yaskawa Motoman, who served as Chair in 2010 and 2011.  Elkins remains on the RIA Board as Past Chair.

Danish Technological Institute, Denmark - IFR R&D Institute

A retrospective overview of European Robotics Forum 2012

The three intensive forum days at ERF2012 were concluded on Wednesday the 7th of March. Researchers, representatives from the robot industry and a number of official representatives from the European Commission - 550 in total - visited the forum and participated in the more than 40 workshops. Many expressed great satisfaction with their participation. 

ABB, Sweden - IFR-Partner

ABB Robotics wins red dot "best of the best" design concept 2011 award

ABB's design concept for a small parts assembly robot, nicknamed FRIDA (Flexible Robot Industrial Dual Arm), has won the prestigious red dot "best of the best" product design award within the workplace category at this year's awards ceremony in Singapore.

RIA, USA - IFR Industry Association Member

News and Service Summary

News and offers from RIA to RIA members and non-members. Find out more ...

17-22 Apr, 2012

SIMTOS 2012

SIMTOS leads the advancement of global machine tool industry and the machine tool market of Korea.

8-10 May, 2012

The Vision Show

The Vision Show is North America's leading showcase of machine vision and imaging components and solutions. The accompanying conference features practical, real-world training that you can put into practice right away.

15-17 May, 2012

AUTOMEX2012

AutoMEX Conference 2012 is organized by the Malaysia Robotics & Automation Interest Group (myRAig), MySET.

21-22 May, 2012

ROBOTIK 2012

ROBOTIK presents innovative and well-engineered robot applications in combination with new visions and future trends of the German robot community.  

22-25 May, 2012

AUTOMATICA 2012

AUTOMATICA is the central meeting point for manufacturers and users of assembly and handling technology, robotics and machine vision. It is equally ideal as a platform for suppliers of the associated technologies.

23 May, 2012

IERA Award Session and Presentation

The finalists of the IFR/IEEE Invention & Entrepreneurship Award will present their applications at the AUTOMATICA in Munich.