One of the primary problems in the production of cement testing cubes is inconsistency in quality due to skill differences between operators and low repeatability in human performance of identical operations. To eliminate this problem and to enhance productivity, a state‐of‐the‐art robot...

The benefits and advantages that robots bring to the grinding and polishing of complex and awkward shaped components is reviewed. They are illustrated with examples from industries as varied as automotive and medical engineering. In the first of these, laminated glass windows for armed vehicles...

Reviews the use of robotics for deburring transmission housings at ZF in Saarbrucken, Germany. Outlines a fully automated cell which has been installed for deburring and washing housings in preparation for assembly. Describes how compliant tools are used to maintain the quality of the deburred...

British toolmakers are not renowned for their investment in advanced manufacturing technology. In spite of this mould and die maker, Fletcher & Hamilton has taken the ultimate step and installed the first robotic EDM cell in the UK at its Cheltenham plant. This new facility was introduced...

Reports from the Hanover Industrie Messe on new robots exhibited. Reviews the latest robot controllers. Describes the work of the IPA in developing service robots.

Details how robots are now being commissioned for work on surface treatment, cleaning and preparation. Robots are proving ideal and cost‐effective in applications which are known to be dangerous and where personnel/operator health and safety considerations predominate. Gives examples of the...

In this paper a Virtual Reality (VR) based interactive system for specifying robotic tasks using virtual tools is described. This environment allows an operator to reach into a live video scene and direct robots to use corresponding real tools in complex scenarios that involve integrating a...

Increasingly, the laborious task of removing burrs on castings is being automated with the introduction of robots. This is largely to ensure higher level of consistency and efficiency generally not possible with manual fettling. These burrs are unpredictable in size and shape, and if not...

During the casting of steel components, burrs and other unwanted material are formed which need to be removed in the deburring process. This is usually effected manually in what is an unpleasant, monotonous, strenuous and even a dangerous task. Robotic deburring can overcome these disadvantages,...

This work presents a robot prototype designed and built for a new aided fruit‐harvesting strategy in highly unstructured environments, involving human‐machine task distribution. The operator drives the robotic harvester and performs the detection of fruits by means of a laser range‐finder,...