Describes the rationale, purpose, and design of the Loctite Corporation One‐Pass TM (patent pending) robotic flange cleaning system. Also details two complementary Loctite TM formed‐in‐place (FIP) gasket sealant dispensing systems: AccuPump 1000 (a progressive cavity positive displacement...

Antenna and electric field probe calibration requires precise positioning and movement throughout a known RF field. Measurements are usually made in an anechoic chamber. A robotic six‐axis antenna positioner was needed that would work in this environment at NIST. Discusses NIST’s...

At its Deeside plant in North Wales, Pilkington Micronics produces 0.4‐4mm glass panels for use in LCD and emissive displays for watches, calculators and laptop computers. The material for these panels is cut to size, ground and packed at Deeside. Describes the automation of the packing...

The robotized cylinder head and engine assembly lines at the Opel car factory in Kaiserslautern, Germany, make it one of the most advanced of its kind in the world. Designed and installed by ABB as a turnkey system, the project has set new standards for logistics, floor‐space requirements,...

Fettling is the process of removing excess material from castings. This excess material is often formed at the die’s parting lines during the casting process as molten material is injected into the die at high pressure. By using a robot as a positioning tool for the fettling operation, the...

There are two commercially accepted methods of force control used in automated surface finishing today. The first method, “through‐the‐arm” force control, applies force using the position of all the robot axes in unison. The second method, “around‐the‐arm” force control, uses the...

Reviews the 16th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction held in Madrid, Spain, in September 1999; outlines robotic projects relating to construction activities.

The article summarises the results of two projects undertaken within the framework of the European Union Brite‐Euram programme. Describes the problem of automating railway carriage production. Explains the solutions that have been developed for the welding and cutting processes that are...