Robotics Sourcebook

Robotics Sourcebook provides concise, up-to-date definitions of the terms, acronyms, and abbreviations currently used in robotics. It covers industrial robots, smart robots, and military robots, as well as machine vision, laser systems, CAD/CAM/CIM, advanced manufacturing technology, production processes, bar code identification, and factories of the future. It explains how robots work, and it presents key factors in robot implementation, as well as examples of typical applications, from assembly functions and die-casting to foundry, inspection, and forging. It also analyzes the world robotics market and includes forecasts of market trends. Divided into four parts encompassing 12 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the robotics industry and U.S. industrial performance, along with current international competitors and their markets, including Japan, Western Europe, France, Britain, and West Germany. It proceeds with a discussion of technological developments, research and development, standards, international agreements, definitions of terms, and robotics programs such as those of NASA, the National Science Foundation, U.S. Navy Robotics, and the United Kingdom. Also included is extensive reference material that contains points of contact for additional information and a detailed bibliography, plus photographs, charts, and diagrams. This book should be a useful reference source for engineers or professionals working in the field of industrial robotics.

* A much-needed clearinghouse for information on amateur and educational robotics, containing over 2,500 listings of robot suppliers, including mail order and local area businesses * Contains resources for both common and hard-to-find parts and supplies * Features dozens of "sidebars" to clarify essential robotics technologies * Provides original articles on various robot-building topics

The Sourcebook for Teaching Science is a unique, comprehensive resource designed to give middle and high school science teachers a wealth of information that will enhance any science curriculum. Filled with innovative tools, dynamic activities, and practical lesson plans that are grounded in theory, research, and national standards, the book offers both new and experienced science teachers powerful strategies and original ideas that will enhance the teaching of physics, chemistry, biology, and the earth and space sciences.

Understanding Robotics is an introductory text on robotics and covers topics ranging from from the components of a robotic system, including sensors, to the industrial applications of robotics. The major factors justifying the use of robots for manufacturing are also discussed, along with the use of robots as a manufacturing tool, their impact on people, and the future of robotics. This book is comprised of eight chapters and begins with an overview of the roots of robotics and the use of robots in the manufacturing environment; advances in robot technology and typical applications of robots; reasons for using robots in the manufacturing environment; and the different manufacturing functions they perform, including visual inspection and intricate welding operations. A definition of the word ""robot"" is presented, and the impact of robots on jobs is considered. Subsequent chapters focus on the elements of a robot system, including the computer/controller, actuator power drive, and sensors; sensor applications in robotics; robotic usage by industry; economic justification of robotics; manufacturing technology and the role robotics can play in improving the United States' competitive manufacturing position; and the impact of robots on people and vice versa. The final chapter is devoted to market trends and competitiveness of the U.S. robotics industry and assesses the future prospects of robotics. This monograph should be a valuable resource for technologists and researchers interested in robots and robotics.

How quickly the technological 'flavour of the month' changes. At the beginning of the 1980's many saw 'robotics' as being something of a pana cea for those problems in the manufacturing industries which had been exacerbated by the world recession. Those working at the time in the field of robotics stressed that robots themselves were only part of the solution. Yet in many quarters the 'hype' for the new technology apparently knew few bounds, resulting, inexorably, in many industries painfully discover ing for themselves a new realism, closely followed by disillusionment. In its wider sense the term 'robotics' covers an extremely broad spec trum of technologies ranging from extremely flexible, highly sensory and integrated systems capable of handling a very diverse product range, through to comparatively inflexible, high volume systems which can merely handle slightly different variations of the same basic product. As a result of the one 'buzzword' referring to such a variety of actual system types, the disillusionment which started to become apparent during the early 1980's acted as something of a double edged sword. A given com pany might consider a particular robotics-based technological solution to its production problems, find that it was unsuitable, and so renounce all robotics approaches as inappropriate. Yet just because one position on that spectrum of technological solutions was unsuitable for the company should not have led them to assume that there was no other robotics solu tion that was appropriate.

Robotics for Engineers provides introductory but detailed study of robot design, installation and maintenance. It caters to the needs of the students by emphasizing the practical utility of robot in the field of engineering, science and technology. The book introduces the science and engineering of robotics and provides in-depth coverage of mechanical and electrical manipulation. For every topic, the fundamental mathematical concepts and analytical tools required to develop the relevant theory, algorithms and programming have been discussed sufficiently. ACL programming has been used for developing the robot programming. In the current form, this book is useful for undergraduates, postgraduates and research scholar students for their course and research projects.

Presents information obtained from a variety of knowledgeable sources. Provides an extensive list of various robotics systems, and the potential of "smart robots" grouped into types of models. Includes important technical material on tolerances, load carrying capacities, price, and names and addresses of companies and individuals to contact for further information.