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...

Describes the work undertaken by Oxford University’s robotics group, founded in 1985 by Professor Mike Brady. States that these university scientists have their feet firmly on the ground and illustrates this by giving details of a number of industrially‐sponsored projects with which they are...

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....

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.

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.

Reports on the activities of the Renault Institute for Quality to train its employees in the principles of TQ. Asserts that to make progress, there must be a method and that the advisers must be people with authority. Describes the workings of the Institute, and the training programme. Concludes...

Discusses how statistical process control of products is increasingly demanded by suppliers for the prevention rather than detection of defects. Assert that, according to Ford supplier Valeo Embrayages, it is the way it is applied that makes all the difference. Discusses how, before the new SPC...