INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS.

Abstract

Industrial robot technology has been available for nearly two decades but it is only within the last five years that production engineers have shown real interest and seriously considered the technology as a potential problem solver. Judging by two conferences and three exhibitions held recently on opposite sides of the Altantic this interest has suddenly exploded. Why is there such an appetite for information on this subject at the moment? The energy crisis, the emergence of more competitive industrial nations and the expectancy of better living standards have all increased the pressure to reduce production costs and increase productivity. The industrial robot is just one solution to solving these problems. The scope of current thinking, up to giving robots vision, and the machines available is examined in the article.