🤖 We Dream Of Conveyors And Robotics 🐑

irreverant take on robotics and automation

January 17, 2023

Don't blame automation for poor results..people chose it, programmed it, and maintained it!

Daydreaming My Reality

📣 Topics of the Day 📣

  • Vendors Don't All Suck

  • Watcha Tawkin About Tawi?

  • Get'N Some Action At CES

  • Tech of the Day: Servo-ing Up Motors

Todays Newsletter Brought To You By

Kaufman Engineered Systems

Are you tired of your current equipment lacking the power and precision you need? Well, Kaufman Engineered Systems is here to give your business a lift! Their state-of-the-art automation solutions will have you saying "Hold my beer and watch this" when you get their systems fired up. From end of line, to palletizing to complete conveyor systems they'll hook you up cause they got the tools to make your job a breeze. Don't be left in the dust by your competition, call Kaufman Engineered Systems today. You'll thank me later!

Vendors Don't All Suck

I'm in sales. At this point it's in my blood, like a veneral disease. On the one hand since you already have it you don't need to worry about catching it any more. But on the down side you get huge boils in the most inconvenient of spaces. That's life in sales. So be kind to sales people. But just like an STI not all vendors are the same. Some are great, some are "meh", and some just really suck and are painful to deal with.

Here are the top 4 things to keep in mind to separate the best from the worst:

  1. Knowledge - Do they know what the heck they're talking about? Can they answer your questions in a logical manner or do they dance around topics leaving you feeling empty inside, like an empty cicada shell? If who you deal with on a day to day basis can't answer your most basic question then run. You need someone that can help you become the hero in your beautiful story!

  2. Quality product - Kick the tires on their tech. Pull a Dwight and shove it, kick it, and make sure it's sturdy. You're buying for industrial use, so if something seems weak and flimsy just wait until it has hundreds or thousands of hours on it. I've seen machines self destruct due to poor design.

  3. Price - Buyers will lie and say they don't buy on price. That's hogwash. Ok, don't get your knickers in a bind, not all buyers will lie but I will say that all use price as. filter. If the price is too high...disqualified, if the price is too low....disqualified. The key here is that the vendor gives you a price that is within 20% of their competition AND includes OR makes you aware of EVERYTHING, and I seriously mean EVERYTHING that you'll need to worry about to execute the project. Maybe you need a new server, facility changes, etc. They better tell you before you cut them a purchase order.

  4. Last and the most freakin important...Service and Support - Who you call when stuff breaks makes a huge difference. Do they answer the phone at all hours of the night? Do they give you one phone number to call when you have an issue? Make sure you clearly communicate your expectations with the vendor on service and support. It's only fair that you be clear and that they honestly respond.

This guy below seems like a pretty average go and get's it!

Watcha Tawkin About Tawi

I read about a company that specializes in lifting automation and they have some pretty impressive equipment. Their lift assist devices and vacuum lifters are like the strong silent type, they just quietly go about their business of lifting heavy loads with ease.

Their electric chain hoists, on the other hand, are like the jocks of the lifting automation world. They're strong, fast and can lift heavy loads with ease, just like a high school quarterback carrying a keg to a party.

Tawi's gantry cranes and jib cranes are like the nerdy engineers of the group. They may not be as flashy as the electric chain hoists, but they are precise and methodical, ensuring that every lift is executed with precision and accuracy.

Their vacuum tube lifters are like the weird uncle of the family, they may not be as understood, but they do their job and do it well. They can lift oddly shaped and fragile items with ease, just like your weird uncle can eat an entire pie without gaining weight.

Tawi's vacuum lifting systems are like the ambitious young intern, eager to prove themselves and take on any task. They are versatile and can handle a wide range of loads and materials, just like an intern who is willing to make coffee and do paperwork.

Overall, this combination of lifting automation equipment is like a well-oiled machine, each component plays its part to ensure that the heavy lifting is done with ease and efficiency. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good lifting automation equipment, they make our lives easier and more fun, just like a good dad joke.

I think Tawi has some cool tech and even though they've not paid for this post I'd say take a look! I bet they'll throw in some of their sweet Tawi branded merch too, send some my way too while you're at it!

Tech of the Day: Servo-ing Up Motors

Servo motors are the boss. The type of electric motor that is master of the automation and robotics domain. Commonly used in industrial and commercial applications. They are known for their high precision and accuracy, and are often used in applications where precise control of position, speed, and torque is required. No slop allowed here. Servo motors come in a variety of different types and styles, each with its own unique set of features and capabilities.

One of the most common types of servo motors is the standard DC servo motor. Good ol' reliable DC. These motors are powered by DC electricity and typically have a high torque-to-inertia ratio, making them well-suited for applications requiring rapid acceleration and deceleration. They are also relatively inexpensive and are often used in applications such as robotics and automation.

Another popular type of servo motor is the brushless DC servo motor. These motors use electronic commutation(switching between phases(topic for another day)) rather than brushes to control the rotor position, which allows for better efficiency and longer life. They also have a higher power-to-weight ratio than standard DC servo motors, making them well-suited for applications where space is limited.

Stepper motors are another type of servo motor that are commonly used in industrial applications. These motors use a series of electromagnetic coils to rotate the rotor in precise increments, allowing for precise control of position. They are often used in applications such as CNC machines and robotics.

AC servo motors are another type of servo motor that are commonly used. These motors are powered by AC electricity and typically have a high torque-to-inertia ratio, making them well-suited for applications requiring rapid acceleration and deceleration. They are also relatively inexpensive (cheap).

When choosing a servo motor for your application, it is important to consider several factors such as power requirements, speed, torque, and environmental conditions. Additionally, you should also consider the control system that will be used with the servo motor, as well as the overall cost of the system.

Overall, the best style of servo motor for your application will depend on a variety of factors including your specific requirements, the environment in which the motor will be used, and your budget. By carefully considering all of these factors and working with a qualified expert, if you can find one, you can be sure to choose the best servo motor for your application and achieve optimal performance.

Hey we've got a guy for that! We now have a list of 900+ vendors in our basic list!

Get'N Some Action At CES

CES is the mecca for all things electronics. Want to see the newest televisions? CES. Kick the tires on the hottest laptop? CES. But this year CES was a little different. First, attendance was reportedly more than double than last year (I blame Covid), about 100K attendees this year. More interesting though is that there were not major advancements to really talk about. A lot of similar tech that's just gotten better. Which is a good thing.

In the robotics and automation exhibits there wasn't anything mindblowing BUT, and this is a big ol' BUT, the tech has evolved. Evolved into robotics and systems that are actually useful. Companies are focusing on tech that can have a meaningful impact on life. My top 3 are actually highlighted in this video below from CNET.

#3 Aeolus - The Japanese worry about their elders and it shows. They're leading the way on nursing home care robots and the AO Bot is no slouch. It's more than capable of handling the basic stuff that needs done around a nursing home so it's a shoe in.

#2 John Deere - The big Deere is on the run. They're looking to best the likes of CNH and CAT and become the clear leaders in the autonomous tractoring game. Hell maybe you'll be able to tie your Farm Simulator game to a real tractor some day.. But in reality John Deere is on a roll releasing tech that will make their farmers more time efficient and resource efficient.

#1 Luna- WTF, a $500 pet robot....but I want one. I think my kids will absolutely love it. Take my money and kick me in the shin. I predict that this little bot will spawn a whole industry built around the pet robot business. Imagine if you grew up with a pet robot, like a really good one that wants to play with you? Now couple Luna with the speed of advances in AI and the possibilities are next level astronomical. Will we be seeing pet robots that can understand human emotion and react accordingly? I'll say yes, it's coming!

Have feedback or want to contribute a video, article or tacos? Maybe I'm interested maybe I'm not sure that I'm looking for it. If you have something constructive you can catch me on Twitter. @robotsrcoming or email us at [email protected]

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