Video of the Week: Aerobotix Completes 40th Robotic Restoration of F-22 Air Inlet Ducts
Aerobotix, an AS9100-certified FANUC robotics integrator, has announced it supported the 40th restoration of air inlet ducts on F-22 Raptor aircraft, as part of a maintenance contract with the U.S. Air Force. The company’s automated painting system gets aircraft back in the sky 80% faster, and has saved the Air Force $8.8 million since 2016.
With funding from the Air Force’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, Aerobotix developed an automated painting system that restores the performance coatings on F-22 air inlet ducts far more quickly, cost-efficiently and accurately than manual painting. The company said it is on track to restore its 50th F-22 by early 2023.
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Robotics-World News
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Universal Launches UR20 Cobot for Machining Tasks
Universal Robots has announced its UR20, a collaborative robot (cobot) designed for machining tasks in the manufacturing space. The company plans to demonstrate the UR20 at the upcoming IMTS manufacturing show, Sept. 12-17 in Chicago.
The tedious task of loading and unloading parts into machines has long been one of the applications that have gained traction for cobots, Universal said. The UR20, with a 1,750 mm (68.9-inch) reach and 20 kg (44.1 lbs.) payload, expands automation opportunities such as the ability to reach further into machines, tend several machines in the same cycle, and handle 25% heavier parts. While the UR20 is Universal’s heaviest robot, it is the lightest cobot in its class, weighing 64 kg (141.1 lbs), the company said.
Robot sales in North America have hit a record high for the third-straight quarter, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), which tracks sales statistics in the robotics sector. The record was driven by a resurgence in sales to automotive companies, and continuing needs to manage increased demand to automate logistics for e-commerce. 
