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Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.

This paper aims to present a review of the NPE 2006, Plastics Show held in Chicago, IL with emphasis on robots, their application in the plastics industry and end‐of‐arm‐tooling.

In‐depth interviews with suppliers of robots, injection molding machines, system integration of robots into plastic processing applications, control suppliers and end‐of‐arm‐tooling.

The plastic injection molding industry is moving to production cells with heavy usage of robot machine tending. The need for very short cycle times drives the interest in very fast agile robots with the ability to integrate easily into the production cell approach. New technologies such as in mold labeling also drive the need for suitable robots and competent system integrators to supply successful systems.

Robot builders need to continue to develop specialized robots and tooling to match with advancements in applications in the plastic industry. Users will need to think of robots as a necessary adjunct to any injection molding application.

Presents a review of the NPE 2006, Plastics Show, Chicago, IL, with emphasis on robots, their application in the plastics industry and end‐of‐arm‐tooling.

The purpose of this paper is to review the National Plastics Exposition 2009, Plastics Show held in Chicago, IL, with emphasis on robots, end‐of‐arm‐tooling and their application in the plastics industry.

The approach takes the form of in‐depth interviews with suppliers of robots, injection molding machines, system integration of robots into plastic processing applications and suppliers of controls and end‐of‐arm‐tooling.

The plastic injection molding industry is moving to production cells with heavy usage of robot machine tending. The need for very short cycle times drives the interest in very fast agile robots with the ability to integrate easily into the production cell approach. New technologies such as in‐mold labeling also drive the need for suitable robots and competent system integrators to supply successful systems.

The paper shows that robot builders need to continue to develop specialized robots and tooling to match advancements in applications in the plastic industry. Users will need to think of robots as a necessary adjunct to any injection molding application.

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

The purpose of this paper is to review the automated assembly technology at the Assembly and Automation Expo. While assembly is the feature show, it combines with manufacturing of electronics, plastics and medical devices at the same venue.

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of automated systems, system integrators as well as suppliers of related components motion elements, laser markers.

Automated assembly continues to become more flexible, modular, as well as better suited for smaller lot orders and includes more real‐time inspection capabilities.

The paper shows that new products to be assembled are driving those who provide automated assembly systems to create better solutions. These include solutions that are more cost‐effective, faster and include more quality assessment and tracking as part of the automation.

This paper seeks to review the Assembly and Automation Expo in Chicago with emphasis on new robot innovations and applications on display.

The paper includes in‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.

Robots are an ever increasingly important part of assembly automation. Robot suppliers continue to innovate to expand the capabilities and adaptabilities of their offerings. System integrators are smarter about applying robots to maximize their benefit to the overall system.

Automated assembly system customers can find smarter and more cost‐effective answers to their requirements as the robots become better at addressing requirements for an ever‐widening range of applications.

The purpose of this paper is to explore pneumatic components and the applications they address.

The extensive range of pneumatic grippers and actuators from various manufacturers is presented. An example of an end‐user pneumatic handling solution is given. Applications are then examined in plastics, mortise lock manufacture and food and pharmaceutical industries.

Pneumatic components are long lasting and reliable, giving tens of millions of operational cycles. Gimatic makes modular components that are particularly attractive for direct use by end‐users. Festo is already introducing a range of pneumatic products complying with the European Union safety directive to be introduced in December 2009.

This paper illustrates the versatility and reliability of pneumatic elements in automatic assembly operations.

THAT was an extraordinary statement by an anonymous “government computer specialist” that was reported in The Guardian recently. He was referring to the threat of strike action by the 1,500 members of ASTMS employed by ICL on users' maintenance work.