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This paper aims to introduce a compact and low-cost robotized system and corresponding processing method for automatically identifying and de-stacking circulation boxes under natural stacking status.

The whole system is composed of an industrial robot, a laser scanner and a computer. Automated de-stacking requires comprehensive and accurate status information of each box. To achieve this goal, the robot carries the laser scanner to perform linear scanning to describe a full depth image for the whole working area. Gaussian filter is applied to the image histogram to suppress the undesired noise. Draining and flooding process derived from classic algorithm identifies each box region from an intensity image. After parameters calculation and calibration, the grasping strategy is estimated and transferred to the robot to finish the de-stacking task.

Currently, without pre-defined stack status, there is still manual operated alignment in stacking process in order to enable automatic de-stacking using robot. Complicated multi-sensor system such as video cameras can recognize the stack status but also brings high-cost and poor adaptability. It is meaningful to research on the efficient and low-cost measurement system as well as corresponding common data processing method.

This research presents an efficient solution to automated de-stacking task and only tests for three columns stack depending on the actual working condition. It still needs to be developed and tested for more situations.

Utilizing only single laser scanner to measure box status instead of multi-sensor is novel and identification method in research can be suitable for different box types and sizes.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanism of sheets ply separation induced by air flow through numerical simulation with two-way FSI (fluid-structure interaction) simulation using ANSYS and theoretical speculation.

The paper primarily establishes a simplified physical model of the sheets ply separation induced by air flow. Then, the force of the air flow acting on the sheet has been analyzed based on the model, and the main factor leading to separation was obtained. Furthermore, the parameter analysis was investigated based on linear stability analysis, from which the factors that affect stable separation are obtained. Finally, a series of numerical simulations are performed to verify the conclusions.

This study shows that the main separation factor is the variable air pressure in the gap between the sheets caused by the dynamic pressure air flow. Increasing the inlet velocity of the flow field will increase the separation distance but excessive velocity will lead to instability. The viscous resistance acting on the sheet and the bending stiffness of the sheet are factors that stabilize the system, and the sheet density and the restoring force can lead to instability.

The paper is one of the first in the literature that investigates the problem of sheets ply separation induced by air flow, which is the primary method for multi-layer separation in sheets de-stacking operations, especially for the high-speed occasion.

THE enlarged scale and more varied content of this year's Business Efficiency Exhibition recalls the importance of the office in modern business. So, too, do those vast, austere rectangular boxes whose modular construction makes them so depressingly alike. Those in London and other major cities can be matched exactly in Frankfurt or Brussels, Milan or Montreal. This is a natural consequence of the tendency for the number of manual workers to decline and of clerical ones to increase.

More than half of the industrial robots throughout the world are used in the automobile industry. The following deals with the most important application so far, spot welding in car‐body construction, and one with a promising future, namely, assembly.

McDonnell Douglas Computer Systems of Hemel Hempstead has taken delivery of the first Chad PCB assembly system in the UK.

CURRENTLY operating on some of the longest sectors of any of the world's carriers, Cathay Pacific Airways pioneered a daily London — Hong Kong service in 1980 which it operated with a stop at Bahrein. A further advance was made in July, 1983 when the airline added a weekly non‐stop service from London. In May, 1984 the airline began flying from Hong Kong on a non‐stop basis for a weekly service which was operated until October when adverse weather made it necessary to keep this as a one‐stop facility. The non‐stop operation to London will however, be resumed in the middle of 1985. More evidence of the growth of long haul routes, in this case to Continental Europe, came with the start of a one‐stop operation between Frankfurt and Hong Kong which is undertaken four times a week and began in April, 1984. The airline also operates three times a week to Vancouver non‐stop from Hong Kong, which is its first service across the Pacific. Overall, the Cathay Pacific network serves 17 countries and includes destinations that range from Seoul in the north to Melbourne in the south, westward to London and east to Vancouver.

British Aerospace, at Bristol, has evolved over the post war years from the legendary names of aviation history; names which still retain a special kind of magic, evoking memories of those 1/72 scale model aircraft so painstakingly constructed during our schooldays. Names which played such a proud part in our history, establishing a place in the hearts and minds of the British people.

Describes the development of laser welded tailored blanks and the benefits they bring to car design. One of the principle advantages is weight reduction, which steel makers have seized on to counteract the “threat” from aluminium and have invested in a number of laser welding facilities. One of these lines, at Laser Welded Blanks (LWB) in the UK West Midlands and supplied by VIL, is described in detail. The system features the VIL‐developed and patented edge preparation station (EPS) that incorporates a precision shear. In this way, the mating edges of the pieces are prepared with the close fit‐up needed to produce high quality blanks and allow welding at high speed. The VIL system, which is limited to linear welds, is contrasted with the more complex non‐linear system developed by some manufacturers.

Here we have the opportunity to take a detailed look at the mechanics of distribution as A.C.S. Hawes, Director of BHS, describes the day‐to‐day organisation of their Atherstone Distribution Centre. He leads us through the decision to centralise their operations, their strategic plan, the organisation of the movement of goods, manning levels and the flow of goods through the centre. He discusses the pros and cons of this method and gives an appraisal: this paper, which had its first hearing at the Centre for Physical Distribution Management National Conference in 1978 is, considering its comprehensive scope, both balanced and concise.