Citation
(2012), "Web sites", Assembly Automation, Vol. 32 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2012.03332daa.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Web sites
Article Type: Web sites From: Assembly Automation, Volume 32, Issue 4
FAPS – Institute for Manufacturing Automation and Production Systems
www.faps.de/1/startseite/index.html
This German web site (translated to English by Google), features the research being conducted on innovative manufacturing techniques for mechatronic products, under Prof. Dr Ing. Joerg Franke, at the Friedrich-Alexander University at Erlangen Nuremberg. The main goal of FAPS is to integrate all factory functions into a computer-integrated overall concept.
The Research link is divided into four groups, each with in-depth information: system engineering, electronics production, biomechatronics, and electrical engineering. The rest of the site highlights pages on: news, including the FAP newsletter and events; various forms of cooperation; career and study opportunities; and specifics on FAP’s history, vision, and mission.
Engineering Research Center for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems
The National Science Foundation (NSF) established an Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMS) at the University of Michigan in 1995. The RMS is a manufacturing system that is designed at the outset for rapid changes in its structure to quickly adjust its production capacity and system functionality in response to sudden market changes and customer demands.
The homepage provides an overview of the ERC/RMS. The rest of this informative site focuses on the center’s: research, which consists of three thrust areas – system-level design and operations, manufacturing control and information, and in-process metrology; industry information which mentions that over thirty industrial companies are the founding partners of the center; patents including images; publications which list 54 selected publications arranged by four categories: systems (design and operations), controls, inspection and sensing, and machines; and news and events.
μBricks
μBricks, headquartered out of New York, is a research and development consulting firm offering μBricks consulting services, a suite of engineering and advisory services for the microsystems, microelectronics, sensors and device packaging communities.
μBricks’ comprehensive web site details its Practices, which primarily works in reducing the “productization risk” of micro- and nano-technologies; services which include Contract R&D, Management Consulting, and Micro-Engineering Workshops; a partial list of active projects; and documents and videos.
The tab, “Global News” houses data on over 50 domain specific global open innovation networks with a total membership that exceeds 3,000 scientists, engineers and business leaders in most regions of the world.
Modular Assembly Innovations
Modular Assembly Innovations (MAI), located in Dublin, Ohio, is the parent corporation of a group of certified minority owned companies offering value-added manufacturing and modular assembly solutions to manufacturers.
MAI’s thorough web site emphasizes its four main capabilities: manufacturing and modular assembly, supply chain management, sequential parts delivery, and manufacturing excellence. The link on strategic direction includes MAI’s strategy for growth as well as company brochures. There are also pages outlining MAI’s companies and history.
Robosynthesis
Robosynthesis Limited offers evolvable, reconfigurable, and practical modular robotic technology. This UK company’s clear and concise web site exhibits its Extreme Modular Robotics Platform (EXTRM) technology along with example configurations. The real world benefits link explains its innovative specifications.
The Resource center tab hosts news, images, and videos.
Associations and Organizations:IDEAS project