FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla., July 5, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Innova Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:IVHG), a software company providing software solutions to the service, personal, and industrial robotic markets, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Workspace Technologies, Inc. (RWT)(tm), has developed a system for achieving full 7th axis coordinated control between a robot and servo weld gun with its Universal Robot Controller (URC)(tm) and RobotScript(r) software. This development provides a new level of accuracy and process feedback to assure high-quality welds in an automated production environment for spot welding applications in the industry robot market.
"Manufacturers use industrial robots to position the spot weld gun at various locations on the workpiece, like a car body," explains Walter Weisel, Chairman and CEO of Innova Holdings and RWT. "Using the URC, we can now integrate the welding gun controller directly to the robot controller to fully implement the full advantages of servo technology like increased processing speed, greater positional accuracy, and higher weld quality."
Standard OEM robot controllers are not designed for such integration. RWT's Universal Robot Controller(tm) (URC)(tm) is the only controller proven to integrate a servo gun controller directly with the robot controller.
Unlike proprietary controls, RWT's URC is an open architecture PC control system that is designed specifically for easy integration with other PCs and PLC controls on the shop floor through embedded communications support via an I/O rack or standard network interface. No "black box" or software translators are needed to achieve integration. Moreover, the RWT PC control system's open programming language, RobotScript(r), provides a single man-machine interface (MMI) for integration, programming, and customization. RWT's URC is capable of simultaneously controlling multiple automation devices like robots, machine tools, end-of-arm tooling like a servo weld gun, parts magazines, vision systems, sensors, and more -- all from a single operator interface.
"At RWT, we've recognized the benefits of standards, open architecture, and interoperability for a long, long time," says Walter Weisel, Chairman and CEO of RWT and Innova Holdings, Inc. "Open PC control systems enable manufacturers to easily integrate today's emerging hardware and software products that can help them improve quality, increase throughput and productivity, and ultimately reduce manufacturing costs, while also assuring quality control, interfacing with inventory management systems, and a wide range of other process and business management functions," Mr. Weisel explains. "All this results in tangible competitive advantages to the manufacturer and product enhancements that meet the needs of the consumer."
Most industrial robots provide 6-axes of coordinated motion. An integrated servo controlled weld gun provides 7-axes of coordinated motion. This capability provides:
-- Significant opportunities for process feedback (e.g. detection
of worn, broken, stuck, or missing electrodes; detection of
parts, fit-up gap, or sealer; detection of tip wear, gun
deflection and collision), all of which help in significantly
reducing manufacturing costs.
-- Opportunities for performance improvement (e.g. improved motion
control on large guns' direct robot integration.
-- Wide force range minimizes time and response to weld force.
"In my view, RWT's URC is at least five years ahead of its time," says Ken Kareta, CEO, The Classic Companies, with whom RWT has a longstanding agreement to provide sales, service, and installation. "Manufacturers with production spot welding operations can benefit tremendously from RWT's URC controller capabilities."
About The Classic Companies
Drawing on 30 years experience in the automotive industry, The Classic Companies -- Classic Design, CSI, and Classic Graphics -- provides a full range of manufacturing engineering services from process engineering through simulation and programming, to equipment manufacturing and systems design and integration, to final installation and runoff. The ISO-9001 certified organization operates from three facilities in the Detroit area. Some of its customers include BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Johnson Controls, and other manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, and general industries.
About Innova Holdings, Inc.
Innova Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:IVHG), Fort Myers Beach, Fla., builds shareholder value by developing and acquiring technology-differentiated solutions with extraordinary potential for profitable and sustainable growth. Innova is chartered to continue expanding its growing suite of technologies.
About Robotics Workspace Technologies, Inc.
Robotic Workspace Technologies (RWT), Fort Myers, Fla., is a leading provider of non-proprietary, open-architecture PC controls, software, and related products that improve the performance, applicability, and productivity of robots and other automated equipment. Its technology has been applied in industries ranging from agriculture to automotive, to medical and R&D. RWT is recognized internationally for its pioneering contributions to the robotics industry. Its founder, Mr. Walter Weisel, has been a driving force in the robot industry for the past 32 years, and is a recipient of the prestigious Joseph F. Engelberger Award, recognizing his contributions to the advancement of robotics and automation.
RWT(tm), Universal Robot Controller(tm), URC(tm) RobotScript(r), and TeachPoint File Creator(tm) are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Innova Holdings, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Forward-looking statements such as "believe," "expect," "may," "plan," "intend," etc. contained herein are within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company's beliefs and assumptions it made using information currently available to it and which reflect current views concerning those future events. Actual results could differ materially. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, since they apply only as of today's date, and accordingly, reference should be made to the Company's periodic filings with the SEC.