Hot Off the Press

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Robotic-System Orders Looking Good

North American robotics companies posted a 13-percent gain in new orders from the North American market through the first nine months of 2004, according to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), Ann Arbor, MI. The growth in units sold represents a seven-percent gain in revenue. Factoring offshore shipments, RIA measures an overall gain in units sold of 19 percent for a 10-percent gain in revenue. Orders for material-handling robots jumped 36 percent in North America through September, and double-digit gains also were posted in assembly, arc-welding and material-removal applications. Learn more at www.roboticsonline.com.

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Deep-Draw Stamper Launches Website

Truex Inc., Pawtucket, RI, a manufacturer of deep-drawn and stamped parts, has launched a new website at www.truexinc.com. The firm offers a complete line of industry-standard smooth and ribbed ferrules--an embedded search engine in the website allows customers to find available ferrules through the use of key characteristics such as material type, ID or length. Customers can also request quotes. Truex offers value-added services including material finishing, heattreating and assembly.

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Atlas Sells EOL Racking Systems to Ford

The Ford Motor Co. Chicago Stamping Plant has ordered 10 end-of-line (EOL) racking systems from Atlas Technologies, Fenton, MI. The systems will go on large transfer presses and on intermediate-sized tandem press lines. From the installations, the plant expects to improve production, reduce ergonomic issues, improve floor-space utilization, reduce part damage and eliminate EOL bottlenecks. Atlas will include height-adjustable tables, anti-fatigue rubberized decking, dedicated lighting and fans to the systems. Learn more at www.atlastechnologies.com.

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