Rethink Robotics Introduces Intera 3

BOSTON (June 19, 2014) – Rethink Robotics today announced Intera 3, a major upgrade to its advanced software platform. With Intera 3, Rethink Robotics doubles the performance and expands the abilities of Baxter, one of the first human-safe robots. Rethink Robotics’ latest software makes Baxter work twice as fast, with twice the precision previously possible.          

Intera 3 demonstrates the power of software to deliver continuous innovation more quickly and frequently, adding ever-increasing value to Rethink Robotics’ inexpensive robot.  It represents a game-changing approach to automation in manufacturing—moving robotics from fixed to flexible—with software–driven robots that adapt and evolve.  As the software advances, Baxter’s capabilities will continue to expand, even as the physical robot remains the same—debunking the age-old idea that hardware improvements are required to enhance performance and ability.

“We’ve told our customers that our robots will get better and better through software,” said Scott Eckert, CEO at Rethink Robotics. “If you haven’t seen Baxter lately, you need to take another look, thanks to the innovation delivered by our software platform, Intera.” 

With Intera 3, Baxter’s skill set immediately expands to a broader range of applications, including:

• Tending to machines such as CNC lathes, ultrasonic welders and press brakes

• Packing and unpacking of parts and components

• Line loading and unloading

•  Kitting

The software will be available for all existing Baxters, and all new production beginning in mid-July.  

“We needed a more flexible automation solution that can quickly and easily be modified to meet the fluctuating demands of our customers,” said Scott Borthwick, production supervisor at California-based Kaiser-Permanente Optical Lab. “With Rethink Robotics, the software makes it possible for our team to train Baxter on new tasks as they arise, with no loss of productivity.” 

Rethink Robotics’ industry-leading combination of advanced software and robust hardware brings the future of interactive robotics to market now. For manufacturers and distributors, interactive robots which can work side-by-side with humans are a workforce multiplier, freeing up human labor to focus on work best performed by people. Industry leaders in automotive, plastics, electronics, consumer goods and other markets are already deploying Rethink Robotics’ Baxter, gaining new flexibility and productivity.  The resulting integrated workforce delivers lower costs, increased agility in responding to market and demand fluctuations and additional resources for fueling innovation – all contributing factors to competitive advantage.

“Automation is a critical part of our strategy to drive continuous innovation,” said Andy Hill, manufacturing manager at Missouri-based King Innovation. “Rethink Robotics’ software-driven Baxter supports our efforts in this mission, with ongoing advances in what the robot can do.”

ONExia is the Rethink Robotics Distributor for the Mid Atlantic region. For more information please visit onexia.com/baxter.  

Baxter Robot Gets New Software

Rethink releases Intera 2.1 Software for the Baxter Robot

Rethink Robotics announced today that they are releasing the latest version of software for the Baxter robot, which they are calling Intera 2.1.

See the release here:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rethink-robotics-launches-intera-21-for-manufacturing-innovation-256527201.html

As we previewed earlier in our “Wow!” blog post, this software up-grade significantly improves Baxter’s ability to meet human cadence rates and provides greater precision in handling parts and tasks.

In the news release, Scott Eckert, CEO at Rethink Robotics is quoted as saying, "Interactive robot technologies like Baxter are redefining the modern workforce so that safe, affordable robots can work side by side with people to make companies of all sizes more competitive.  Intera provides the platform to drive this innovation,"

Baxter is ready to go to work!

Contact us today to see how Baxter can improve your productivity and free up your employees for higher and greater tasks. We have a special introduction to the Integra 2.1 software scheduled on May 14^th at the Embassy Suites in Cockeysville, MD. Or, contact us for a private demonstration.

Greg Selke
CEO ONExia Inc
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Wow!

ONExia represents some of the best manufacturers in the Motion Control and Industrial Control industry. Some products occasionally receive software up-dates as small improvements and bug fixes occur. Rethink Robotics, the manufacturer of Baxter, is an exception where a tremendous amount of work is going in to both improving the operation of Baxter and greatly adding to the tasks that this robot can perform.

Yesterday afternoon we had a “Wow!” moment at ONExia as we tested a Beta version of the next Baxter software release. We tested Baxter on a move that previously would have taken as much as 15 seconds to complete. The improvements in this new software revision have that same move down to 6 or 6-1/2 seconds, with improved accuracy! Baxter will now be able to work at a true human cadence, especially over sustained time. Applications that Baxter could not do in the past due to throughput will now be possible.

Please contact us if you would like to see Baxter in person, running this new software release. Also, ask about the special promotion valued at $7,000 being offered through the end of March.

Greg Selke
CEO ONExia Inc
Linkedin

Technology Review - Datalogic Vision Systems

Are you looking to add vision to you current machine automation process or looking to upgrade to a newer system? We offer the solutions to do both. Our feature machine vision partner Datalogic offers a complete selection of standalone smart cameras and vision processors designed to make integrating vision a simple and cost effective process.

Smart Cameras

Datalogic Smart Cameras

Smart cameras are stand-alone industrial digital cameras with built-in controls and software for processing images. Smart cameras are used for a wide variety of applications including inspection and quality control, position and orientation, robot guidance, and many others. Models are available with image resolutions and features to match any application.



Vision Processors

Datalogic Vision Processors

Vision processors  are general purpose, industrialized machine vision inspection systems that allow for incredible flexibility in programming. With a wide range of available high-resolution cameras, vision processors can deliver the right solution for general purpose machine vision needs or specific application inspection requirements. Models are available to control up to 4 digital cameras and a variety of processors up to the powerful Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core microprocessor.

For more information on machine vision solutions visit onexia.com/datalogic or contact one of our engineers to discuss your potential application.

Tim Pelesky

Marketing ONExia Inc

Linkedin

A Delta Robot with Open-Architecture Controls Capability

Codian D4-500 Robot

ONExia is representing an exciting new Delta Robot from Codian Robotics. Available in 2, 3, and 4 axis versions with over-all reaches up to 1.5 meters, the Codian Robots cover a wide range of very high performance applications. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Codian Robots is the open-architecture controls capability. Codian Delta Robots can be controlled by Allen Bradley PLCs,  Delta Tau servo controllers or other popular controls.

You can see a Codian Delta Robot in operation at ONExia's Robots in Motion Open House.

The Robots in Motion open house will be held on Wednesday, February 26th from 10 AM until 2 PM. Come anytime to enjoy some refreshments and interact with some of the latest Robotics technologies.

For more information go to onexia.com/robotics

Greg Selke
CEO ONExia Inc
Linkedin

ONExia Robotics In Motion - Open House 2/26/2014

As a follow up to our recent blog titled "Picking the Right Robot", we are going to have some interesting Robot technology on display next week at our Robots in Motion open house. At the high-performance end of the spectrum we will have a Delta-style Robot from Codian Robotics controlled by an Allen Bradley PLC, and an Articulated Arm Robot from Denso.

In the "no programming required" area we will have a ONExia ONEreach Cartesian Robot and the fantastic Baxter from Rethink Robotics.

Also on display we will have adaptive Grippers from Robotiq and Smart Cameras from Datalogic.
The Robots in Motion open house will be held on Wednesday, February 26th from 10 AM until 2 PM. Come in any time to enjoy some refreshments and interact with some of the latest Robotic technologies!

For more information visit: onexia.com/robotics

Greg Selke

CEO ONExia Inc

Linkedin

Buying Baxter from ONExia

Rethink Robotics Baxter

ONExia is going above and beyond the normal sale when it comes to purchasing a Baxter. We will review the potential application and make sure that Baxter will be capable of completing every task to the best of its ability.

Services offered by ONExia:

Presale

• ONExia will test application to make sure it is something that is best suited for Baxter.
• The application will be documented and recorded for further review of the engineers at ONExia.
• Results and feedback will be provided to customer to review.
• If application and results fit a quote will be delivered.

After Sale Support

• ONExia will be there on the day of to assist in intial setup.
• Full training will be provided for those purchacing a Baxter.
• ONExia will troubleshoot all issues and provide warranty repairs.

Additional Services

Custom End Effector

• Additional training.
• ONExia will troubleshoot and repairs that come up out of warranty.
• Facilitate Use of Baxter
• ONExia has the capabilities to build conveyors, grippers, and gripper modifications.
• Tooling to facilitate parts placement and other products and services is also available.

Greg Selke

CEO ONExia Inc

Linkedin

Picking the Right Robot

Denso Robot

Robots can be used to automate manufacturing lines of all sizes and volumes. The main goals of using robots are to accelerate cycle times, increase throughput, and eliminate bottlenecks on a line. Each type of robot has its pros and cons so selecting one is based on what works best in the application with regards to time and budget.

An evaluation must be done of the application. The main things to consider are load, orientation, speed, travel, precision, environment, duty cycle and programming.

1.   Load.  This can limit which robotic solutions are available right away. Consult the manufacturer’s specs to each robot to see if it something the robot can handle. Heavy payloads can deflect a robotic arm making it harder to consistently position the load with accuracy.

2.   Orientation. This depends on how the robot is mounted and how it situates parts or products that are being moved. Space within the work envelope must also be considered. The main goal of this is to match the robot’s footprint to the work area.

Codian Delta Robot

3.   Speed and Travel. Similar to load robot-manufacturers also list speed ratings. If the application being considered is pick and place, the amount of time during part transfer must be given heavy consideration. Cartesian robots will typically best fit in this application when distance is a factor because they can be customized externally by length and internally by using faster actuator components (belt, linear, ball screw, etc.).

4.   Precision. Delta, SCARA and six axis robots have a predefined accuracy rating making it easy to determine their repeatability of movement. Although this is ideal for some applications it can lock the user into one level of accuracy. A Cartesian robot once again can be customized if necessary for better precision. Also consider deflection. Heavy payloads = tougher success with precision.

5.   Environment. Three main things need to be considered: space available in work envelope, hazards and environmental situations. Overhead mounting is a good option in limited space or pick and place applications. For environmental issues many robots are available in an IP65 model.

ONEreach Cartesian Robot

6.   Duty Cycle. This depends on the user’s intent. A robot running 40 hours a week will have a longer lifespan than a robot running 24/7. Robots have varying maintenance schedules so finding one that limits downtime but has a long run life is essential.

7.   Programming. The most suitable robot for an application also depends on the requirements for controls and programmability. Typically the most basic controls are available with a Cartesian robot because of the simplicity of the design. Articulated, Delta and SCARA robots require more advanced functions which results in more time implementing them into action. Another thing to consider is communication with external additions such as an end effector, tool or vision system.

Robots are becoming a necessity in any automation application and can show an impressive ROI within weeks of implementation. For more information visit onexia.com/robotics or contact one of our engineers to discuss your potential application.

Tim Pelesky

Marketing ONExia Inc

Linkedin