Nov 11 2013
Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of industrial robots, has been chosen by ROBO-STOX to represent the burgeoning robotics industry. On Tuesday, November 12 at 4pm EST, Universal Robots’ UR5 robot arm, equipped with a three-fingered gripper from SCHUNK, will press the button activating NASDAQ’s closing bell.
The bell ringing celebrates the launch of the ROBO-STOX™ Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (Ticker Symbol: ROBO), the latest exchange-traded fund to begin trading through Exchange Traded Concepts’ accelerated, low-cost, private-label ETF platform.
Co-founder of ROBO-STOX and publisher of The Robot Report, Frank Tobe, says the choice of Universal Robots as the “bell ringer” was due to its unique industry position:
“We didn’t want to showcase a robot only used in a research lab. We wanted to show viable robotics technology, well-positioned for a future IPO, that is selling and being implemented in a wide range of industries today.”
Ed Mullen, National Sales Manager with Universal Robots in North America, is delighted to have the UR5 robot arm be chosen to mark the launch of ROBO-STOX:
“Our collaborative robots have pioneered a new trend within automation, enabling employees to work directly alongside a portable robot that’s easy to program and doesn't require safety fencing,” he says. "Your new colleague can be a robot that optimizes production and alleviates workers of monotonous tasks, often promoting them to higher skilled positions."
Universal Robots introduced itself to the North American market in September of 2012, implementing a high-tech distribution channel throughout USA and Canada. The Danish company has penetrated a wide variety of industries including automotive, machine tools, medical, packaging, assembly, pharmaceutical, and electronics.
Bringing robotics into multiple industries continues to accelerate the sector, says Rob Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of ROBO-STOX:
“The growing affordability of robotic productivity gains coupled with expanding technological capabilities have helped move the robotics sector beyond the ‘tipping point,’” says Wilson. “By introducing the first comprehensive and focused measure of the value of robotics, automation, and related technologies, we’re giving investors the world’s first benchmark by which to track the growing field of robotics.”
About The “Bell Ringer”
In the NASDAQ bell ringing application, the UR5 robot arm has been integrated with a three-fingered SDH gripper by German manufacturing company SCHUNK with the assistance of the Universal Robots’ distributor, Cross Company’s Automation Group. The six-axis UR5 weighs only 40 lbs. and handles payloads of up to 11.3 lbs with reach capabilities of up to 33.5in. Repeatability of +/- .004” allows quick precision handling of even microscopically small parts. Programming happens through an intuitive 3D tablet touchscreen — or by simply grabbing the robot arm to demonstrate desired movement.
If the robot comes into contact with an employee, the built-in force control limits the forces at contact and does not cause bodily harm, adhering to the current safety requirements on force and torque limitations. Eighty percent of the more than 2,000 UR robots deployed globally operate with no safety guarding in the immediate vicinity of employees. The robot is quickly moved around the production site and integrates in all industries — from the small machine shop to the large auto assembly line. Payback period is typically 3-8 months.
Watch the video showing how Universal Robots brings manufacturing back to United States: http://www.universal-robots.com/GB/Cases/RSS_Manufacturing-Phylrich.aspx
About ROBO-STOX, LLC
ROBO-STOX LLC is the creator of the first benchmark index to track the global robotics and automation market. Through the expertise of its leadership team and strategic advisors, ROBO-STOX looks worldwide to find new innovations in the robotics space, from companies of all sizes and verticals, to deliver the growth of robotics to investors — from individuals to institutions. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ROBO-STOX is the recognized leader in developing investment solutions that target the robotics, automation and related technology sectors. To learn more about ROBO-STOX, please visit www.robostox.com
Source: http://www.universal-robots.com/