Looks at refurbishment services which can increase the life expectancy of robots. The services range from a thorough inspection and cleaning to a complete factory‐certified mechanical reconditioning program. At the same time robots can be upgraded to take advantage of current technological...

Examines the growth in the use of, and versatility of industrial robots worldwide and looks at the current situation in Taiwan, which is reported to have the highest annual growth rate of robots. With a shortage of manpower, Taiwan sees automation as its best alternative, particularly in the...

Examines the latest trend in the robotics industry: the renovated robot. Old robots can now be rebuilt and made as‐good‐as new, at a fraction of the price of the latest model, resulting in a growing second hand robot market. Describes the process of a complete renovation of a robot which may...

Examines the development of a powerful AC variable speed drive technology that is reported to offer the best performance yet from an AC drive, allowing it to match and even better the performance of DC motor drives. The technology is called direct torque control [DTC] and uses motor flux and...

Examines the background of off‐line programming for robots and the failure of many simulation robotics programs to become effective industrial robot programs. Looks at the need for the production cell to be identical to the simulation model and the questions to be considered for successful...

Outlines the development of a robot measurement system, ICAROS, which combines the advantages of photogrammetrical and inertial measurement procedures, allowing the acquisition of measuring values for the determination of all [dynamic and static] industrial robot performance parameters,...

Outlines the developments and benefits of Off‐line programming for robots. Discusses the importance of accurate calibration and the measurements devices available. Looks at the various software packages for creating and simulating robot programs and discusses the concept of “open systems”...

Outlines the development of a fully automated unit for dyeing textile samples, in which a robot prepares the sample of textile, mixes the dye and applies the dye to the sample, without any human intervention. This system enables every parameter in the dyeing process to be strictly controlled and...

Describes a polishing cell with two six‐axis robots which has been developed to process panels up to 45 ft long for aircraft skins. The robots have full backup capability and use tailor‐made end‐effectors with force‐feedback control and visual and audio feedback. Outlines the three main...

Describes a unit which has been produced to provide accurate independent position checks on robots or other controlled mechanisms which may suffer impact, interference or may drift from program path during unsupervised repetitive work. Significant variation in presetting the range is available....