Presents the manipulation methods of a low powered direct‐drive robot‐arm for heavy object manipulation using a suspension device. Considers manipulation of a suspended tool in the horizontal plane. Presents the algorithm of the hybrid position/force tracking scheme with respect to the...

The pressurizer is one of the critical components in a nuclear reactor, whose main function is to maintain the primary system pressure within specific boundaries. The pressurizer is a large vessel that is made of carbon or low‐alloy steel shell, clad internally with a layer of stainless steel....

Presents an overview of how satellite‐based positioning techniques could be used to develop novel navigational methods for use on mobile robotic platforms. Details are given of the major terrestrial techniques, both internal and external to the robot, which have been traditionally used to meet...

Presents a robot control system dedicated for grinding and deburring robots. The control system is based on an active force feedback system using three axes force sensor attached to the robot’s end effector. This system offers new functionality in rapid programming of the robot by applying...

Demonstrates that present technologies are sufficient to produce a household robot for the elderly or disabled, that is able to undertake a wide range of domestic chores and supply 24 hour care and companionship.

This paper details the design and operation of the BarrettHand BH8‐250, an intelligent, highly flexible eight‐axis gripper that reconfigures itself in real time to conform securely to a wide variety of part shapes without tool‐change interruptions. The grasper brings enormous value to...

Piezoelectric actuators are well established for use in expensive optical equipment. Within the last decade, relatively inexpensive piezoelectric actuators have become established technology in pneumatic switching and the first piezoelectrically driven impactive robot grippers are just starting...

Reports from the Hanover Factory Automation show. Reviews new robots and automation systems. Highlights applications using vision. Identifies trend for off‐line programming software from robot makers.

Placement accuracy in automated production equipment has been a problem since the first automated machine assembled a product on a manufacturing line at the beginning of the industrial revolution, and the demand for machine accuracy has steadily increased since. Adept Technology, Inc. has...

This paper addresses some aspects related to Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC) programming, and is based on two previously published papers and focuses more on application details. Recognising that one of the major problems of today’s Flexible Manufacturing Cells is the diversity of languages...