Robot maker returns to Sault to set up shop.An industrial robot An industrial robot is officially defined by ISO[1] as an automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes. designer-turned-businessman has returned to the Sault to set up a high-tech robotics and software company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Armed with some innovative proprietary technology, budding young entrepreneur Blaine Wallace designs, engineers and installs automated systems using high-performance robots that grind and polish rings for the jewelry industry. After working for a now-closed ring polishing company in Buffalo, the 32-year-old graduate of Lake Superior State University's robotics program acquired the robotic-based systems and PC-based software he originally designed and assembled, and relocated back to the Sault after Christmas to form his own company, Superior Robotics. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The technology takes raw jewelry, fresh from the casting mold, and grinds off the excess metal using robotic systems similar to those used in the automotive industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. . Traditionally, jewelry polishing and finishing is carried out manually, with a skilled craftsmen sitting behind a grinding wheel for hours on end. "It's a dirty job," says Wallace. Trainees need two months of instruction to obtain proficiency. The turnover rate is high and repetitive strain injuries repetitive strain injury: see repetitive stress injury. See RSI. repetitive strain injury - overuse strain injury are common. That is why companies are eager to explore automated alternatives. "With this you can program a ring style within a half hour and it will produce a high quality ring every time." With intuitive software Application programs that have a friendly interface and work like users would expect. Menu functions are available in a logical order that one finds natural. The most common functions are presented in one menu or are located at the top of the menu list rather than being buried in rigid , his R-100 robot displays a deft touch with airplane-like yaw yaw, in aviation: see airplane; airfoil. See pitch-yaw-roll. , pitch and roll commands, and accuracy of up to 0.4 of a millimetre. "The user doesn't have to know how to use the robot to run the system." Though the product is specifically designed for grinding and polishing rings, Wallace says their PC-based software can be adapted for use in other industries, including palletizing, machine tending, packaging, material handling and assembly. "It can do anything; it's just a matter of programming." Superior Robotics Inc. will provide two versions, the R100-G, developed for grinding rings, and the R100-P, used for polishing rings. Since his former employer closed, Wallace has sold two systems from their inventory at $125,000 (US) a piece, using the cash to start up this venture, and hopes to sell four more systems later this year. He plans to brand the technology under his own name and showcase it at an upcoming international jewelry manufacturing trade show in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. in June. "There is going to be a lot of international exposure there," says Wallace. "This concept is brand new. (In Buffalo) we were the only company really involved in the jewelry industry. Because jewelry-making is such an ancient profession there is not whole lot of automation, but it really is up and coming." Wallace says he will likely hire additional support staff in the near future to make use of the qualified labour pool from the engineering and technical programs at Lake Superior State and Sault College Sault College is one of 24 publicly funded community colleges in Ontario. Sault College is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and began in 1965 as the Ontario Vocational Centre. . www.superiorrobotics.com By IAN ROSS Ian Ross is the name of:
Northern Ontario Business Northern Ontario Business is a Canadian magazine, which publishes monthly in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. The magazine covers business news and issues in Northern Ontario. |
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