Describes how the modular bridge building company, Mabey &Johnson, is using Off‐line programming for work on its newly‐extended flexible manufacturing system [FMS] welding line, to strike every arc in exactly the right place with minimum sensing. Looks at the background and parameters for...

Looks at the move towards integrating robots with highperformance, fully programmable vision systems. Outlines the problems of traditional vision‐aided robotics and the advantage of modern machine vision technology. The latest generation of machine vision systems combine the capabilities of...

Outlines ABB Robotics new manufacturing philosophy of “lean robotization” based on early partnership between customer and supplier and a detailed knowledge of the customers application requirements. Examines two new ABB robots, suitable for a wide variety of functions, and operated by a new...

Looks at research work into crane automation for the construction industry. Describes the six major areas of the project: analysis of existing crane structures and mechanisms, the general problem of remotely grabbing a load, the application of latest sensor technology, system integration,...

Considers that computer models of construction projects are required as a precursor to automation of the construction process. Examines the problem of building computer models for use in the construction industry that contain all the information required for full co‐ordination of the design...

Examines a prototype robot which is being developed to carry out on‐destructive inspection maintenance and repair [IMR] of buildings and structures. Describes some of the areas where IMR is crucial i.e. bridges, tall buildings and petro‐chemical storage tanks and the variety of inspection...

Outlines the background of robotized waterjet cutting and its advantages over traditional punching and manual cutting methods. Discusses the development of the modular cutting box which can be adapted to the customer’s requirements covering the water pressure, the size and speed of the jet,...

Looks at the kind of technological education and training which will be ecessary to staff the successful companies of the year 2000, concentrating on the recent European Automation and Robotics Training Conference held in London, where a discussion of this subject took place. Topics covered...

Describes the work of a German company which has built textile machines for making curtains, lace and velour. The lace making machines are already designed on a CAD system. Describes how ROBCAD is used to generate the robot weld paths directly from the CAD data.

Describes current research work into the development of a three finger industrial gripper suitable for flexible assembly work. Outlines the key aspects of building and programming the gripper and ways of simplifying its control with local computing and looks at the interaction between product...