The iconic UR Plus. Source: Universal RobotsThe iconic UR Plus. Source: Universal RobotsWe told you recently that you can check out the new e-series line of collaborative robots, also known as "cobots," at the Universal Robots booth during the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), which runs Sept. 10-15, 2018, in Chicago.

But that's not the only place you'll see them at the show: More than 20 other IMTS exhibitors will also feature applications of Universal Robots' characteristic light-blue collaborative robot arms in their displays. The Danish robotics pioneer, part of Teradyne Inc., calls it a testament to the wide range of tasks and solutions for which it has provided automation. The cobots will be seen handling vision-guided product inspection, riding on top of mobile robots while tending machines, automating laser marking, changing pallets, conducting 3D scans of booth visitors — the list goes on.

Booths at IMTS featuring UR cobot applications include:

  • 3D Infotech (Booth 135750)
  • All Axis Robotics (Booth 236165)
  • ARIS Technology (Booth 236382)
  • ATI Industrial Automation (Booth 236417)
  • Bimba Manufacturing (Booth 134825)
  • Cognex (Booth 135451)
  • Computech Mfg. Co. Inc. (Booth 236896)
  • Emerging Technology Center (Booth 236700)
  • Energid (Booth 121838)
  • Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (Booth 135202)
  • Hurco Companies Inc. (Booth 338319)
  • Igus Inc. (Booth 134521)
  • Midaco (Booth 339347)
  • Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) (Booth 121468)
  • Ready Robotics (Booth 236882)
  • Octopuz Inc. (Booth 236036)
  • OnRobot (Booths 236592 and 236480)
  • Schunk (Booth 432010)
  • Starrett Metrology (Booth 135532)
  • Takamatsu Machinery (Booth S-339488)
  • TUV Rheinland (Booth 135425)
  • Versatech (Booth 236343)

More information on each of these applications can be found here.

The UR+ platform developed by Universal Robots as an online showroom and developer program has enabled collaboration with a wide developer ecosystem working on innovative robot applications. New UR+ grippers have been developed for the UR's new e-series cobots, including the Hand-E by Robotiq; the PR10 collaborative vacuum gripper by Purple Robotics; and a customizable soft robotic gripping system, the SRDK-UR+, designed by Soft Robotics. The latter two also will be launching at IMTS.