Researchers are working with a mobile robotic platform called Husky A200 that could be used for autonomous logistic tasks on construction sites. This mobile robot is one of many projects pursued by the Fraunhofer Italia Innovation Engineering Center to advance the cause of digitalization in construction and bridge the gap between robotics and the building industry. Researchers at this center based in Bolzano, Italy, are developing a software interface that will enable mobile robots to find their way around in construction sites.
The U500/UR18 ultrasonic sensors with IO-Link from Baumer are valuable information suppliers and additionally backwards compatible to established control systems.
KUKA has been working with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) and other industrial partners on a joint project of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and KIT (Karlsruhe) for integrating hybrid LMD technology into the production chain. The process used is laser metal deposition (LMD), popularly referred to as “3D printing”. KUKA robots form the basis of the system.
How can mass production methods be applied to individualized products? One answer is to use a combination of digital manufacturing technologies, for example by integrating digital printing and laser processing into traditional manufacturing processes. This paves the way for in-line product customization. Six Fraunhofer institutes have pooled their expertise to take the new process to the next level.