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...

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 work that Ford has done in partnership with robot companies to develop production‐quality force‐controlled robots. Reports on the first industrial application of a force‐controlled robot at a Ford transmissions plant. Identifies the applications for which force‐controlled...

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...

Reports from the Hanover Fair on new developments in robotic automation, outlines the latest robot hardware and software innovations to be launched on the market, and describes new applications being taken up by industry.

New haptic robot arms with powerful force feedback could help product design engineers check out complex assembly problems in a virtual reality environment. Companies in the automotive and aerospace industries are likely to be the first to take advantage of the technology. They could be applying...

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.

Reviews new applications of robots in the automotive industry. Describes new compact robot designs which can fit into very small spaces and provide greater flexibility in the body shop. Outlines how paint shop technology is evolving to make greater use of robots. Highlights pioneering...

This article reviews the Industry Fair in Hanover and the International Robots & Vision Show in Detroit. Outlines two new assembly applications being performed by robot. Describes the latest robot technology to be introduced to the market. Highlights new control technology and simulation tools.

Describes a European project to develop vision‐based, closed‐loop robot control technology to facilitate assembly tasks in the automotive industry. Looks particularly at the problem of placing a sunroof on a car body accurately.