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Why AIR?
Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR) unites technical depth, operational strength, and modern capability in a single partner built for ambitious manufacturers.
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Sectors
Discover how AIR can help your drive innovation, efficiency, and scale.
Sectors overview
Medical
Driving innovation in medical device assembly, surgical instruments, orthopedic, cardiology & CRM, peripheral and continence care, and more.
Pharma
AIR partners with leading pharmaceutical companies to design, build, and support advanced automation systems for complex, highly regulated production environments.
Semiconductor
Enabling startups, global semiconductor equipment OEMs, and semiconductor fabs to scale to high-volume production systems.
Food & beverage
Proven experience across a wide range of food and beverage manufacturing processes and products including tea, bakery, pet foods, ready meals, beverage and tobacco.
Automotive
We bring the latest automation thinking, expertise, and equipment from ultrasonic welding, clipping, screwing, and snapping to materials handling, inspection, and traceability.
Consumer goods
AIR brings together deep, specialist automation expertise to deliver complex solutions across cosmetics, personal care, pet care, and electronics manufacturing.
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About AIR
AIR combines deep engineering expertise, industrial scale, and advanced capability in one powerful partner for ambitious, progressive manufacturers.
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Capabilities
Deep process and systems expertise, engineered to optimize performance, efficiency, and long-term operational success.
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Sectors
We partner with ambitious, progressive manufacturers across the medical, pharma, semiconductor, food & beverage, automotive, and consumer goods sectors. Discover how AIR can help your drive innovation, efficiency, and scale.
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Sectors
Emerging technology,
semiconductor and more
AIR in Silicon Valley focuses on high-tech industries, offering specialized expertise in semiconductors, medical products, renewable energy, emerging technologies and data storage. Across our six sites, we work in a range of sectors:
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Medical, pharmaceutical
and more
AIR in Shannon, Ireland focuses on advanced automation for the MedTech industry. Across our six sites, we work in a range of sectors:
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Sectors
Deep expertise for
progressive manufacturers
Across our six sites, we offer specialized expertise and automation innovation to a range of sectors:
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Pharma, medical, food and beverage,
consumer goods and more
Across our six sites, AIR works in a range of sectors:
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Medical devices, filling
machines and more
AIR in Sligo, Ireland delivers advanced automation solutions for medical and life sciences manufacturers, including flexible filling systems and high-speed filling systems. Across our six sites, we work in a range of sectors:
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Deep automotive
expertise and more
AIR in Rochester Hills specializes in the design and manufacture of fully integrated stand-alone assembly, specialized machines, and automated and secondary assembly equipment. Across our six sites, we work in a range of sectors:
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Revolutionizing Electronics Recycling with Automated Disassembly Technology

This post originally appeared on kaonautomation.com. KAON Automation is now part of AIR.
Automated disassembly station with a robot over a conveyor

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electronics recycling, innovative automation solutions are becoming increasingly crucial for efficient and sustainable operations. Our latest development – an advanced automated unscrewing system – represents a significant leap forward in recycling printed circuits boards, also known as PCBs.

This state-of-the-art machine combines precision robotics with advanced machine vision to automate one of the most labour-intensive aspects of electronics recycling: screw removal from PCBs. Using a sophisticated X-Y-Z servo gantry system equipped with 3D vision capabilities, the machine can identify and remove screws with remarkable accuracy and consistency.

The system’s intelligent vision technology scans each panel using multiple high-resolution cameras, creating a detailed map of screw locations. A specialized screwdriver head, mounted on a precision gantry system, then systematically removes each screw. The machine’s innovative design includes features like automatic bit changing and screw verification sensors to ensure reliable operation.

What sets this system apart is its ability to handle varied PCB layouts without reprogramming. The deep learning-based vision system adapts to different screw patterns and positions automatically, making it ideal for recycling facilities that process diverse electronic waste streams.

Key features include:

– Fully automated operation with minimal operator intervention

– Advanced machine vision with deep learning capabilities

– Automatic tool management system

– Comprehensive safety features

– Integration-ready design for existing production lines

With a processing time of under 3 seconds per screw and the ability to handle continuous operation, this system significantly increases throughput while reducing labour costs. The machine’s modular design also allows for easy maintenance and future upgrades.

This development represents our commitment to advancing recycling technology through automation, helping our partners achieve greater efficiency and sustainability in their operations.

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AIR Sligo
AIR Sligo, formerly KAON Automation.
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Talk to AIR’s team about your latest manufacturing challenge. We’re here to help you bring your latest innovations to market quickly and at scale. Ideating, designing, building, commissioning, and supporting your next wave of automated manufacturing.