A small, sheet metal fabrication specialist has recognised the benefits robots can bring and is gradually introducing them.

The role of the industrial robot has changed in the 20 years since it was first introduced. This special report traces the changes in application that have taken place, from the services of machines to active processing such as fettling.

A novel two‐axis motor has been designed by the Moore Reed Co., initially for a computer printer but which has potential/or robot gripper actuation.

A new spray painting robot and several new assembly robots have recently joined Japan's army of robots. Japan's robot fever is, however, confined to only a few industries and its robot population is not quite as people imagine.

One small Japanese company decided to make its own components instead of putting them out to subcontract using a new investment which includes 11 robots. The investment saves £1 million a year giving a payback within three years.

KUKA has made substantial sales of its robots into the auto industry including some 160 to BMW, 150 to Ford, 70 to Daimler‐Benz and 10 to Peugeot. This dependence on the motor industry is not always likely to characterise the firm's business profile in robotics.

The Geneva‐based International Metalworkers Federation keep a watching brief on all aspects likely to affect their union affiliates around the world. They recently looked at the impact of robotics and published their findings. Brian Rooks recently interviewed the General Secretary Herman Rebhan.

Robot applications at General Motors have been primarily in spotwelding and, now, in highly automated paint spraying. But Ralph Behler, program director of robotics and machine perception at the GM Tech Centre, sees the future emphasis shifting to loading and assembly, with R & D now...

The Csepel Machine Tool Company in Budapest has installed a flexible manufacturing system in which a robot, mounted on a carriage travelling on rails, moves between a series of machining centres feeding the machines with pallets carrying components. The components, mostly gearboxes, and their...

Japan is the world's leading user of industrial robots and its industrial robot association is a most active robot trade association. They publish regular statistics, this article by JIRA's executive director presents the figures and outlines the impact of robots up to the end of 1980.