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The industrial robot when associated with a workpiece magazine or conveyor system loading and unloading one or more numerical controlled machine tools opens a new way for automation in low series production. The possibilities for automatic handling together with machine tools within direct numerical controlled systems are discussed. After dealing with the master control selection and the signal flow some limitations resulting from the robot's kinematics are pointed out. Afterwards an actual manufacturing system, installed at the Berlin University, is introduced.

The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors that influence the decision to adopt computerized numerical control (CNC) and direct numerical control (DNC) machines, material working lasers and robots (specific advanced manufacturing technologies – AMT) using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the underlying framework.

Firms that had recently adopted a shop floor manufacturing technology were surveyed. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the 123 responses.

The TPB explained a substantial amount of variance in behavioral intentions to adopt an AMT. As proposed, attitude towards adoption and subjective norms significantly influence a decision maker. However, perceived behavioral control did not have a significant impact on intentions. The TPB was shown to be an effective predictor of technology adoption in a specific context.

Single respondents were used – future research might include multiple respondents. Though sufficient statistical power was realized, there was a relatively low response rate – future research may pre‐screen potential respondents to ensure eligibility.

Primary implications include: adopters may be willing to tolerate a difficult adoption process in order to realize significant competitive benefits; suppliers of AMT may want to develop greater customer knowledge to influence adoption decisions; and champions of AMT adoption may want to proactively influence the opinions of other key stakeholders.

The research context was controlled by focusing on a specific type of AMT. Further, actual technology adoption decisions were investigated. Most applications of the TPB assume that the “intentions” to “behavior” relationship holds.

ON show for the first time at MACH 88 from the Industrial Automation Division of Robert Bosch Ltd., is their flexible Direct Numerical Control (DNC) system for machine tools.

The introduction of technology on the shop‐floor has often been depicted as a stressful experience for workers. Adopts a quasi‐experimental approach to determine whether the automated shopfloor remains a stressful environment when considerable time for technological changes to settle has elapsed. Automation does not seem to create additionalstress. However, computer numerical control (CNC) machine/robot operators and conventional machine operators face different sources of stress. CNC machine/robot operators are more affected by quantitative overload and psychological demands, whereas conventional machine employees are more subject to inadequate support and role ambiguity. Both groups exercised relatively low levels of control over their jobs. Provides suggestions to make the automated shopfloor a better workplace.

BY linking machine tools on the shop floor directly with a cell computer, British Aerospace at Chester is saving over £100,000 every year in the cost of producing wing skins for the A300, 310, and 320 Airbus. The direct numerical control (DNC) system was installed late 1986 by BAeCAM, Preston, and is being extended to other areas this year.

UNTIL mid 1990, Aerostructures Hamble Ltd (AHL) produced on average one mile of punched tape per week to feed programs into its 36 computer numerically controlled (CNC) metal‐cutting machine tools. Now the company has eliminated the need for tape by connecting the machines to the factory's computer network using the integral direct numerical control (DNC) facilities of the CIMITAR ‘Workshop Manager’ installation supplied by BAeCAM, Preston. The result is a saving of around £100,000 per year, plus increased efficiency.

The evolvement of batch manufacturing systems from groups of linked, tape operated NC machine tools to computer controlled integrated systems is described. In the span of a few years, computerized integrated systems have appeared in most major industrial countries and are being built at increasing rate. One of the major problems is the efficient automation of workpiece handling. Here solutions include conveyor systems similar to those existing in transfer lines, industrial robots, circulating tow cars and shuttle transporters. Although a “robot” appears to be the best in principle, existing industrial robots are still limited in their capabilities. However, new developments in robots, some already evident, indicate possibilities at least for parts which are below approximately 100kgf weight. Heavier parts must be fixtured and palletized, and several such systems are described.

In late 1946, Mr. D. S. Harder of the Ford Motor Company introduced the word automation. Shortly after, much was said about the application of the principles of automation to the construction of a completely automatic factory. June, et al conducted a survey of the leading industries in the United States and reported on some of the problems that would have to be solved before an automatic factory could become a reality. Diebold wrote on the problems of automation and its implications for the businessman and his future decisions. He cites what was perhaps the first automatic factory: a continuous process flour mill, built in 1784, near Philadelphia, by Oliver Evans. No human labour was required after the grain was received at the mill until the finished product, flour, was removed. It is also interesting to note that in the early 1800's there were thousands of programmed looms operating in France, controlled by punched paper cards.