What is environmentally friendly concrete? It is a building material that significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions during production by replacing the raw material cement with materials that have a lower energy burden during manufacturing, such as blast furnace slag. Therefore, in Japan's construction industry, the idea of utilizing environmentally friendly concrete is spreading as a means to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. About polished floors Polished floors are a method of finishing concrete to create a floor surface. The polished surface reflects light, brightening the space. Additionally, it is characterized by minimal deterioration from peeling or wear, making it easy to clean. Furthermore, by using special dyes during the construction process, it is possible to add color to the floor surface. This allows for the possibility of painting logos on parts of the floor or turning the entire floor into a work of art. Showcasing environmentally friendly concrete with polished floors Environmentally friendly concrete can be polished just like regular concrete. Instead of covering the surface with paint or flooring materials, the efforts to reduce CO2 can be made visible through polished floors. This makes it an easily understandable expression for visitors and stakeholders.

Shin-Etsu Industrial Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, President Jun Nagai) will start selling the 6-axis force sensor "ZYXer" along with the "Offline Teaching Software ZYXerPath" that enables force control on March 9. "Offline Teaching" is a teaching method that differs from conventional robot teaching tasks, utilizing 3D CAD software to create the robot's trajectory and teach it movements on the software. If 3D CAD modeling data is available, it is expected to reduce the time required for teaching tasks. By using our uniquely developed "Double Output Model" force sensor that outputs to two systems, one output of force data is used for robot control, while the other is utilized for control along the contours of the actual processing target, allowing for high-precision teaching tasks that take into account individual differences and slight misalignments during installation. By utilizing ZYXerPath, there is no longer a need to go to the site for fine adjustments. Additionally, even complex movements can be taught to the robot entirely on 3D data, eliminating location constraints and supporting the rapid digitalization of manufacturing sites.

Shin-Etsu Industrial Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, President Jun Nagai) will start selling the "Hollow Model" of the 6-axis force sensor "ZYXer" from March 1, as a new lineup to enhance the wiring flexibility of industrial robots. ■ "Hollow Model" - Reducing the risk of malfunctions by routing cables to the robot's interior The ZYXer Hollow Model developed by our company features a through hole for wiring at the center of the sensor body, made possible by the adoption of a special detection method. The advantage of the hollow structure is that it allows cables connected to the robot's tip to be routed inside the robot. This increases the flexibility of robot wiring according to the working environment. Additionally, it not only makes the appearance more streamlined but also helps reduce the risk of load changes that occur during wiring to the robot arm (external).

Shin-Toh Industrial Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, President: Jun Nagai) has developed a new application called "Insertion of Flexible Printed Circuit Boards" that utilizes the 6-axis force sensor "ZYXer" to achieve high performance in industrial robots. Flexible printed circuit boards are electronic components that have been widely used in smartphones and various mobile devices in recent years, characterized by being "thin, soft, and light." However, the task of inserting flexible printed circuit boards into different connectors requires very delicate force adjustments, making automation using robots challenging. By utilizing our ZYXer, it can accurately detect even small forces and ensure reliable insertion, contributing to the automation of wiring tasks by robots. 【Three Features of the New Application】 1. Achieves load discrimination of just "0.5g" 2. Control is possible through high-speed communication with a communication speed of "0.83msec" 3. Minimal disturbance effects, eliminating the need for filtering

Shin-Etsu Industrial Co., Ltd.'s strain gauge-based 6-axis force sensor "ZYXer" has significantly expanded its standard lineup from 4 models to 11 models, now offering rated capacity models in the translational direction ranging from ±500 to 9,000N, which are in high demand from users. Previously, due to structural reasons, the rated capacity for twisting force in the vertical direction (Mz) was lower compared to other directions. However, this issue has been resolved through unique design, allowing it to accommodate large loads and speeds. Additionally, it is now possible to choose from two materials, aluminum alloy and stainless steel, for all diameter sizes. The aluminum alloy version is lightweight and non-magnetic, which helps reduce the payload of robots and lowers equipment costs. On the other hand, the stainless steel version excels in corrosion resistance and has high rigidity, achieving high torque while remaining compact. As a company, we will continue to develop specialized force sensors and various robot applications, aiming to expand our robot-related business by introducing them to the market.

The strain gauge-based 6-axis force sensor "ZYXer" from Shin-Etsu Industrial Co., Ltd. has been officially adopted as an option for industrial robots by major domestic robot manufacturers, including Denso Wave Inc., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Fanuc Corporation (in no particular order). In recent years, work robots that contribute to automation and labor-saving have been active in various situations due to labor shortages in production sites and the efficiency improvements brought about by work style reforms. However, there are challenges related to response accuracy and speed when it comes to tasks that require changing movements and forces based on human tactile sensations, making it difficult to completely replace all tasks with robots. Against this backdrop, the demand for our ZYXer, which provides robots with a sense of force, is expanding. The ZYXer boasts mechanical and electrical characteristics that are at the highest level in the force sensor industry, enabling the precise measurement of all forces, from delicate tasks requiring fingertip sensitivity to those requiring significant force and involving complex force movements. We will continue to penetrate the market further while developing various robot applications and introducing them to the market, aiming to expand our robot-related business.

The web magazine robot-digest, specialized in industrial robots (News Digest Co.), has featured Shin-Toh Industrial's force sensor ZYXer in its PickUp section. ◆ [Featured Product PickUp! vol.27] Robots Imitate the Strength and Subtlety of Skilled Workers https://www.robot-digest.com/contents/?id=1598514395-474925

In April 2020, we began production of the strain gauge-type 6-axis force sensor "ZYXer" at our Shinjo business office in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture. The "ZYXer" boasts mechanical and electrical characteristics that are among the highest in the industry, enabling the precise measurement of all forces, from delicate tasks requiring fingertip sensitivity to those requiring very large forces and complex force movements. By doubling the moment resistance compared to competitors, we have achieved "industry-leading standards" in the movement speed of robotic arms. This allows for faster robot operation than ever before, facilitating increased production quantities and reduced cycle times. Additionally, the force detection capability reaches up to ten times that of competitors, significantly enhancing the operational accuracy of robots. By detecting delicate forces, we not only prevent product quality defects but also avoid damage to robotic hands and auxiliary devices, thereby ensuring production stability. Currently, the ZYXer has been adopted by various companies, and we plan to develop and launch various robot applications equipped with the "ZYXer" in the market to expand our robotics-related business.