Reports from the Hanover Factory Automation show. Reviews new robots and automation systems. Highlights applications using vision. Identifies trend for off‐line programming software from robot makers.

Reviews the Essen Schweissen und Schneiden cutting and welding trade show, assesses the latest developments in remote laser welding technology, identifies mounting trend for electric servo guns to replace pneumatic welding guns, reports on growing interest in aluminium welding and outlines the...

PSA's plant in Sochaux began building the Peugeot 307 last year, using a brand new body shop where the role of robots is not only to automate processes but also to ensure that production targets are met. This article outlines how the new body shop operates and the functions that robots undertake.

Automating the welding of custom‐built large structures becomes increasingly necessary due to the growing shortage of manual welders and competition from low‐wage countries. A consortium funded by the European Community is developing the technology necessary to make this possible.

Reports from Industrie 2004 in Paris, the exhibition that took place alongside the International Symposium of Robotics (ISR), highlights the development of synchronous robot control, identifies innovation in the area of laser welding by robot, outlines the need for high payload robots.

418 robots have been installed at Vauxhall Motors’ plant in Luton as part of a £136 million refurbishment project to prepare the factory for the launch of the new Vectra. The bulk of the robots are employed in the body‐in‐white area, with 50 per cent performing handling operations and the...

Describes how Vauxhall Motors has developed new CO 2 welding applications for robots at its Ellesmere Port plant on Merseyside, UK. Outlines how, after successfully robotizing the hood welding process, Vauxhall introduced robots for CO 2 welding which was difficult for operators to carry out....

Reports from the Hanover Industrie Messe on new robots exhibited. Reviews the latest robot controllers. Describes the work of the IPA in developing service robots.

Reviews the new products and processes that were exhibited at the 2001 Hanover Industry Fair. Reports on new developments in machine vision and robotic technology and identifies a trend towards higher payload robots for automotive applications.