Robotics最新文献

The paper presents recent trends of production automation in Finland. It evaluates the technological stage reached so far and makes an assessment of future visions. Also some main features of industrial structure in Finland are described to form a better understanding of diffusion of modern automation systems.

In connection with the implementation experience, special attention is paid to the analysis of the impact of production automation on smazll and medium scale industry.

Design and training problems related to the automation-oriented technologies in flexible manufacturing systems are also discussed and a design strategy assessment is made.

Widely varying patterns of diffusion of robots have been experienced to date among the leading industrialised countries of the world. These patterns have been associated with varying national contexts and, in particular, with quite different national policies towards robots. The paper presents results from a study of the relation of national policies and strategies to robot diffusion, focusing primarily on the Japanese and British cases, but also taking account of Swedish and North American experience.

Various factors have been of clear importance in robot diffusion: the means of promotion of robots; the opportunities afforded by industrial structure; the climate created by national labour situations; the role played by robotics supply and service infrastructures; and of course, the effects of government policies, both in the broad sense of those policies which shape the general environment for diffusion, and in the narrow sense of those aimed specifically at robotics.

These issues are discussed with reference to the countries considered. The authors conclude that the correct identification of the nature of development of robotics technology itself, which may be characterised as a case of “evolutionary innovation”, is of crucial importance in understanding the differing patterns of diffusion and the varying effectiveness of the policies pursued.

The paper describes and compares the patterns of diffusion of industrial robots in the oecd countries from the mid 1970s up till 1985. The pattern of application of robots in terms of handling, process and assembly robots, as well as a more specific categories is discussed. It is shown that, in some countries, assembly robots form the most rapidly growing category out of the three main ones mentioned.

The industrial distribution of the use of robots is then addressed. The dominance of the engineering industry (isic 38) is confirmed, but within this industry the pattern of diffusion varies considerably between countries. In some countries transport equipment (isic 384) dominates. In others it is non-electrical machinery (isic 382) and in some it is metal products (isic 381). Electrical machinery (isic 383) seems to be a minor user of robots, except in the case of Japan. With regard to types of user firms, large firms dominate heavily, but there are some signs that also small ones are increasingly investing in robots.

In the short run and in a limited perspective, reduced costs for unskilled and semiskilled labour is the most important reason for most robot investments. The profitability of robots is generally somewhat lower than for average investments in machinery. This is not suprising since many robot investments are made for strategic reasons, and since the benefits from such investments are not realized except in the long run and thereby not reflected in the usual investment calculations. In the long run robot investments should be seen as a part of more comprehensive automation processes. The capital prductivity (e.g. work in progress) can be substantially improved. In some larger companies, robot investments are already part of a capital (and labour) rationalization process.

Sensory feedback control is utilized in order to make a robot intelligent. This paper describes the present status of intelligent robots by introducing robot systems with force and visual sensors developed in Hitachi, Ltd. The force feedback control named “virtual compliance mechanism” can generate the same functions as any other compliance mechanism such as rcc for inserting operation by setting suitable values to the parameters of the software in the control unit. 3-D visual feedback control method is also described in which the slit light method is used to recognize 3-dimensional position and orientation of the object.

The paper reviews the stage reached in, and presents further prospects for, the development of robotics in Czechoslovakia. During the last 15 years, several significant successes have been achieved in the automation of manufacturing technologies in engineering industries (machining, shaping, welding, surface treatment etc.), as well as in that of various metallurgical and chemical processes and in the field of energy.

A wide range of universal and adaptive robots, manipulators and automatic handling and transport systems is at present being produced and implemented in Czechoslovakia. In 1986–1990 - in comparison with the period 1981–1985 - the number of installed robots is expected to increase 4.56 times and the number of implemented robotized technological complexes 2.26 times.

The author describes the main long-term tasks in the development of robotization, which include:

• 1.

  - Modelling of the system structures;

• 2.

  - Development of production integration shcmes;

• 3.

  - Assessment of trends in innovation and use of robots;

• 4.

  - Assessment of social implications related to the process of intensive robotization; and

• 5.

  - Increased cooperation efforts in the promotion and realization of robotics, including international division of labour.

The current robotization development programme adopted in Czechoslovakia makes provision for effective solutions of these problems.

Despite falling prices and more varied applications, the diffusion of industrial robots is taking place at a slower pace than expected. There are not only technical snags but also social barriers to be overcome — displacement of workers, deskilling of certain operations, changes in work methods. Robots do away mostly with unskilled and hazardous jobs and can lead to dramatic employment cut-backs in individual plants. But so far robotisation has affected only a limited number of workplaces in manufacturing. While working conditions may be improved on the whole, reduced manning can contribute to the social isolation of workers. Robotisation can also put a strain on industrial relations unless the workers are properly consulted and their concerns and interests taken fully into account.