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A robot system for the intelligent picking of chaotically stored objects by the analysis of depth data is presented in this research article. This “bin‐picking” enables the automatic storing of objects which is a prerequisite for the automatic supply of a processing machine. In order to improve conventional localization systems, special attention is paid – apart from the identification of object positions – to gripping point calculation for the picking and to collision avoidance. To adapt the system to different object geometries, an approach that aims at storing the necessary object data in an off‐line generated data base was chosen.

Describes the benefits of close man‐robot cooperation within a single production cell. A vision system ensures the safety of the human while enabling high levels of productivity.

Based on the successful hardware and software architecture of Care‐O‐bot^™, a new generation of mobile robots has recently been designed at Fraunhofer Institute of Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA). The robots have been created to communicate with and to entertain visitors in a museum. Their tasks include welcoming visitors, leading a guided tour through the museum or playing with a ball. In this article the hardware platform of the robots and their features such as navigation and communication skills, their safety concept and handling are outlined. Further, the underlying control software of the robots is described. Finally, the application of the robots at the Museum für Kommunikation in Berlin is presented. The robots have been running in this museum daily since 25 March 2000 without noteworthy problems.

Research shows automated assembly could give time and cost savings in the production of wire harnesses.

Clinching is, due to its characteristics, a joining method with several advantages. The high joining forces, which require heavy process equipment are a major disadvantage. The Fraunhofer Institute has developed clinching methods which reduce the joining forces considerably to make clinching applicable for further developments and new application areas.

This paper aims to introduce a new incremental sheet metal‐forming process. By moving a hammering tool over a sheet of metal fixed in a frame, a three‐dimensional workpiece can be produced without using any special die plate.

This paper describes the exact procedure of the new process and the advantages in comparison with other flexible conventional and incremental forming processes. The hammering process in particular, will be considered with respect to material behavior and effects on the industrial robot. In addition, a special path generation for the incremental forming process and multiple robot tools with different drives constructed for the incremental forming process is shown.

During the research it was discovered that complex geometries can be produced without any die plate and that a hammering tool with a mechanical eccentric should be used for the incremental forming process.

As the forces on the handling equipment are very low compared with other forming processes, a common industrial robot can be used to move the hammering tool. Thus sheet metal parts can be produced with cost‐effective equipment. Mainly, small and medium‐sized enterprises can benefit from this new technology.

The incremental forming process presented in this paper is patented by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation. It is the first time that sheet metal parts with a size of 300×300 mm are formed by a hammering tool with 100 hits/s.