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(1) Casting technique comprises the methods of working in which liquid metal is poured into moulds.

A large subset of operations in which robotic arms have consistently failed to achieve their potential are those which require the robot to interact with the environment e.g. assembly, drilling, fettling. Such tasks require “force control” or “active compliance” to either control or limit the interactions. Some of these problems can be circumvented by clever mechanical design, e.g. appropriate chamfering to guide insertion, passive compliant devices. The remote centre compliance (RCC) device is the most commonly used passive compliant device. For example, an RCC device can be used to assemble a peg into a hole (a problem which confounds robots in normal operation due to position uncertainties causing linear and angular misalignment) by providing some “sprung” movement parallel to the surface into which the peg is being inserted. However, in circumstances where operation is required whilst applying desired forces and (within the constraints) arbitrarily varying the position and orientation of the tool, such solutions are inadequate.

An extremely high‐pressure jet of water is an efficient method of cutting soft materials, and combining the waterjet process with industrial robots is an economic alternative to the traditional punch tool method of producing complex‐shaped components for car interiors, such as floor carpets, headliners and door trims. Applications are given of robotic waterjet systems installed in the USA, France and Iran as well as news of a new cutting box introduced by ABB‐IR Waterjet Systems. A further development of the waterjet process is described in which the addition of abrasives enables aluminium castings to be fettled and cleaned.

Industrial robots have become an accepted form of automation for many companies in Western Europe. The multi robot car assembly line is now the rule rather than the exception and this type of application has advanced the state of acceptance of robots as a viable form of automation. But what is the future in other areas and is the industrial robot an economic proposition in less glamorous areas? A recent visit to Sweden, with a few calls in West Germany, revealed a surprisingly wide range of applications for the industrial robot and none more so than in the production work shops of the robot manufacturers themselves. In Sweden high wage rates and strict laws on health and safety at work provide the type of incentive that is conducive to investments in robot automation. But even in this environment robots have to work hard to be economic. They invariably work on two or three shifts and in many applications perform numerous tasks.

FIG. 67: The by‐work for fixing the cores (a) and (b) is complicated owing to the undercutting (u) and the projection (p). The joint securing of both cores is difficult. The cores or the mould are easily damaged. The necessary patchwork means additional expense.

The Secretary of State— (a) in exercise of powers conferred by sections 65, 76 and 180(6) and (7) of the Factories Act 1961 and now vested in him, and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, and

Cellular approach for low‐volume applications. John Hartley reports.