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BARA presents its fifth quarterly newsletter, published 21st October 2008

Please follow this link to our website for Statistics for New Robots 2007.

BARA

Hello to all of our members. Firstly, I must clear up a slight error from the last newsletter - IFR were not taken over by VDMA, but they are now run from the VDMA offices in Germany. Sorry if this caused any confusion.

Liz Maxted-Bluck
Administrator/Editor

Mike Wilson, our President has provided the following downloads and information for the benefit and in the interests of our members:-

CenFRA TAG Membership

CenFRA has been formed to provide independent advice and guidance to the food and beverage sectors on the application, development and implementation of robotics and automation systems.
They are looking for two representatives, one for each group, and they would be grateful if all interested parties could apply to be a candidate by following this link. For the Tag membership Invitation-please click here. These applicants will then be assessed and contacted if they qualify to join the TAG.

BERR Employing People Awareness Campaign

Pat McFadden MP is the Minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, has started an awareness campaign aimed at streamlining businesses to save them time and money. Click here for more details

Click this link for downloadable pdf - Simplifying Employment Law.

Commission tables major green product plan

The European commission has adopted a major policy package to green European manufactured products. The plans will extend the reach of existing EU ecodesign rules, revise and enlarge product ecolabelling practices, set new mandatory green public procurement standards and significantly overhaul the EU's corporate green management scheme. Click here for more details about the major green product plan.

New funding for research in key science and engineering areas

The Technology Strategy Board has announced investment of £72million in innovative new research and development projects. Science and engineering companies can apply for funding for projects which stimulate innovation, with businesses working together, and with academic and research institutions, on new research and development that will lead to successful new products and services.

Phase 1, opening 10 November 2008:

Phase 2, opening 19 January 2009:

Phase 3, opening 16 March 2009:

For more information on how to apply, go to www.innovateuk.org

Semta (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies) urges companies with interests in these fields to consider entering one of these prestigious -competitions- for funding. The areas selected for funding could have a major impact on the global competitiveness of UK science and engineering. For more information, please click here.

Events

Machine Safety Conference (organised by Richard Piggin)

BARA held another successful Machinery Safety Conference at Bletchley Park, near Milton Keynes, on 30 September 2008. Presentations included functional safety and amendments to the Machinery Directive coming into force in December 2009, given the HSE. In a separate presentation, the HSE gave an insight into the new industrial robotics standard which is currently undergoing a major revision. Other notable presentations covered case studies from system integrators, and AS-interface, Pilz, Rockwell Automation, Sick and Schneider Electric. The opportunity to quiz presenters proved very popular in the Q&A session, with some very topical questions and thought provoking responses. See a full review here: http://www.machinebuilding.net/n/n1212.htm

The next BARA Machine Safety Conference will focus on the practical implementation of functional safety, with an overview of standards and legislation (HSE), followed risk assessment and safety system design. There will also be an opportunity to assess different technical strategies via a number of hands-on sessions with demonstration equipment with industry experts (Pilz, Sick and Rockwell Automation).

To be held at Bletchley Park early summer 2009. See http://www.bara.org.uk/info/sig_safety.htm for details.

UKTI Advanced Engineering Sector Team Event in the RBS Williams F1 Conference Centre in Grove. Click here for information. Oxfordshire (near Didcot) 3rd and 4th February 2009
PAA Conference - Lifting the lid on academic laboratory automation. Click here for details. Hinxton Hall, Cambridge 13th January 2009
Skills West Midlands Skills event targeting over 1,500 schools and colleges. Click here for more info. ExCel, London 20th - 22th November 2008
SEMTA Metals, Mechanical and Electrical Skills Showcase 10.00-14.00. Click here JCB Visitor Centre Rocester, East Midlands 18th November 2008
Call for papers Proposal for the Special Sessions and Workshops. For more details Click here. For downloadable pdf Click here. Kings College, London 1st November 2008

Quarterly Quote

The bottom line is that automation lowers the risk of human error and adds some intelligence to the enterprise system.
Stephen Elliot

Press Releases

 

Motoman Robotic handling demo at PPMA show, NEC, Birmingham, last month, included twin-camera vision system. View PDF
Rockwell Rockwell Automation expands integrated architecture system for advanced process control, midrange machine builders, safety and IT convergence solutions. View PDF
WMTN - Online Video West Midlands Technology Network takes green innovation to Westminster View PDF
Eggheads VIEW The popular BBC quiz show - Eggheads - are looking for interesting teams of 6 for their next series. Interested? View PDF
ABB ABB offers new Panel Mount Controller for complete robot control View PDF
Pilz Pilz CE services help customers comply with Directives View PDF
Pilz Pilz announces dates for EN ISO 13849-1 regional seminars View PDF
Pilz Pilz New servo amplifier is ready for extra safety function View PDF
TM Robotics Ceiling mounted robot set for UK launch at PPMA - TM Robotics demonstrates vision for processing and packaging. View PDF
KUKA KUKA launches high-speed robotic palletising solution View PDF
TM Robotics TM Robotics, Elmotec and ICS will show a series of space saving industrial robots at Motek 08 View PDF
Scorpion Vision Ltd Scorpion Vision Ltd - 3D Vision at CenFRA - Automate where automation was not previously possible! View PDF
Rockwell Rockwell Passport to safety - where functional safety can help in today's global marketplace. View PDF
ABB ABB extends welding offering with new robot. View PDF
KUKA KUKA Crown's (furniture manufacturer) new jewels are a pair of KUKA robots. View PDF
ABB ABB demonstrates robotic flexibility at PPMA and Interplas 2008. View PDF
Rockwell Rockwell Automation takes a holistic approach to safety. View PDF
KUKA Air show is soar-away success for KUKA - RAF jet pilots take the challenge. View PDF

Best regards,
Liz Maxted-Bluck
Administrator/Editor

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