The realisation of a practical generally versatile variable product assembly machine is still far from reality. However, in the same way that a generation 1 Industrial Robot can achieve high levels of versatility within certain restricted activities e. g. paint spraying ‐ spot welding etc.,...

In May 1974, a new research programme entitled “Humanization of Working Life” was published by the Ministry of Research and Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its aims are to temper and to reduce the hindrances, damage, harassments and handicaps of working life. What is involved...

This paper describes a symbolic manipulator control language, WAVE. WAVE resembles a computer machine language and has been used for performing such tasks as a the assembly of a “Model T” water pump, the block manipulation needed to solve the “Instant Insanity” puzzle, bruch caligraphy,...

A simple, parallel‐mode tactile transducer for extracting three‐dimensional digital representations of complex engineering components is proposed. In addition, algorithms for computer processing of the tactile information to produce a compact structural description of the scrutinised object...

Industrial robots have become an accepted form of automation for many companies in Western Europe. The multi robot car assembly line is now the rule rather than the exception and this type of application has advanced the state of acceptance of robots as a viable form of automation. But what is...

The visual instruction software system was designed with typical industrial situations serving as guidelines. The programmer is assumed to have little knowledge of computers. Rather, he is expected to have a detailed knowledge of the task to be performed. The V/I system provides a safe and...

The Battelle Institute e.V., Frankfurt in co‐operation with IPA, Stuttgart, is carrying out a project sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology: “Social Implications of the Introduction of Industrial Robots into the Production Process”.

Assembly by robot has been a challenging goal for research and industry from the very beginning of industrial robot development.

Geometrical transformations are used to specify the spatial relationship between two cubes. The analysis can be applied to the description of the error in a robot placement task in three‐dimensional space, or to the relative location between two arbitrary rigid bodies in such a space.

Modern accountancy offers top management ever more sophisticated instruments, thus enabling it to base its decisions not only on ‘experience/intuition’ but also on the rationalization of data for solving investment problems.