Mergers, Acquisitions Alliances and Noteworthy News in Robotics

Sept. 15, 2014
Iten Industries, manufacturer of advanced composite components and materials headquartered in Ashtabula, Ohio, is now offering additive manufacturing and 3D printing services.

3D Systems acquired American Precision Prototyping (APP) and sister company American Precision Machining (APM), both expert providers of rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing, product development and engineering services, further extending its service bureau operations in the United States. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. In addition, the company has signed a lease on a new 200,000 sq-ft facility in Rock Hill, SouthCarolina, increasing its manufacturing and distribution capacity to meet growing demand for its 3D printers and materials. The addition of this new manufacturing and distribution center is part of the company’s previously announced expansion, which is expected to generate hundreds of new jobs over time.

Maverick, acquired CQS Innovation, a Michigan-based system integrator specializing in control and information systems for life sciences, chemical and metals industries. The acquisition further expands Maverick’s batch process and systems validation capabilities, and also increases its DCS capabilities.

Applied Robotics, Inc., and MJM Sales have expanded their strategic partnership to create additional coverage for existing and prospective customers. MJM Sales will now work general industry markets in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Alaska and Hawaii, and Ontario and Manitoba, Canada, as well as the automotive market for Applied Robotics.

To serve customers and partners in Brazil, safety specialist HIMA has formed HIMA Segurança e Controle Crítico Ltda (HIMA Safety and Critical Control) and opened an office in São Paulo in August. The Brazilian company is HIMA’s 16 subsidiary.
 
Iten Industries, manufacturer of advanced composite components and materials headquartered in Ashtabula, Ohio, is now offering additive manufacturing and 3D printing services.

News & Noteworthy
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control Association (MCA), announced that its three associations have reached all time highs for membership. As of the end of July, RIA now has 334 company members, AIA is also at 334 members and MCA consists of 111 members.
 
Microscan, manufacturer of bar-code, machine vision and lighting solutions, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the two-dimensional (2D) Data Matrix code. The Data Matrix was invented in 1994 by International Data Matrix, Inc. (I.D. Matrix), a key innovator in Microscan’s 30-year lineage.

Cognex Corp. has shipped its one-millionth vision system. The Cognex In-Sight vision system was purchased by Medtronic, the world’s largest medical technology company. The In-Sight vision system was hand-delivered to Medtronic’s Tempe, Arizona, facility by Cognex CEO, Robert Willett, on August 11. In addition to delivering the system, Mr. Willett also presented a $10,000 donation to the Foundation for Blind Children, a local charity supported by Medtronic that helps individuals with blindness or low vision live more independently.