Keywords
Citation
(2002), "Assembly-Net precision assembly technologies for mini and micro products", Assembly Automation, Vol. 22 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2002.03322cab.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Assembly-Net precision assembly technologies for mini and micro products
Assembly-Net precision assembly technologies for mini and micro products
Keyords: Assemblies, Precision, Assembly-Net
Assembly-Net thematic network is a unique partnership in Europe, funded by the European Commission (Project No. GIRT-CT-2001-05039 ) to improve its global competitiveness. The focus is on short lifecycle products that require mini and micro assembly solutions. Assembly-Net aims to to bring together, share and exchange critical technologies, research results, and the latest information in precision assembly automation.
By bringing together academic and industrial partners (system vendors and SMEs), the project partners have created a network which can gather the relevant needs, available solutions, and research results in order to organise assembly R&D efforts in Europe. The network is expected to expand and will focus on incorporating more SMEs. The consortium currently consists of members from ten countries. The consortium intends to merge several national and international research forums and already includes a vast number of industrial members.
The prime aim is to share and exchange information and the latest developments in assembly system applications and design. Assembly-Net aims also to facilitate the formation of new, multinational projects in precision assembly. The project is a forum for special interest groups and a stimulus and catalyst for the development.
The consortium consists of large and small users of assembly systems, assembly system providers, industrial consultancy groups, and research institutes and universities. The network partners cover a very wide range of competence, including: assembly system specification and design; assembly system manufacture and supply; assembly system use, both high and low-volume production; development of flexible automatic assembly systems; mini-assembly equipment specification and design; disassembly system specification and design; education in assembly systems theory, application, and design; and education in product design and modularisation.
To join, visit the Assembly-Net Web site, www.assembly-net.org, and fill in the membership application form. Affiliated membership of Assembly-Net is free. The members may subscribe and unsubscribe at any point during the life of the project. Benefits include:
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Access to special interest group discussion forums (join in with the debate).
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Receipt of specially targeted broadcast news items.
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Automatic subscription to the newsletter
Assembly-Net coordinator is Dr Svetan M. Ratchev, School of Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing Engineering and Management, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD; E-mail: Svetan.Ratchev@nottinghain.ac.uk. Tel. +44 (0) 115 9514018, Fax. +44 (0) 115 9514000
More information about the project can be found at www.assembly-net.org (see Plate 2).
Plate 2 Assembly-Net aims to facilitate the formation of
new, multinational projects in precision assembly
See also: Mauro Onori, Assembly Automation, Vol. 21 No. 2, 2001, pp. 123-8, MCB University Press, ISSN 0144-5154.