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Describes dieless forming, an innovative sheet metal forming technology developed in Japan which enables a metal part to be formed directly from a CAD file in just a few minutes and with the utmost precision. The patented “dieless forming” technology involves a cold forming process that takes place on a three‐axis vertical CNC machine. On the vertical axis of the CNC machine is mounted a pencil‐like tool with a rounded end which progressively forms the sheet metal.

Spotlights the design and development of an aluminium chassis for the new Lotus Elise. Highlights the benefits of using aluminium extrusions and the reasons for choosing bonding as opposed to welding. Describes the assembly process and how the maintenance and repair drawback of a bonded design can be overcome. Notes that the largest proportion of Lotus’ sales actually come from engineering and consultancy services.

Shows how a firm specializing in water meter manufacture (ABB Kent Messtechnik in Germany) has made use of new integrated assembly and test equipment which has meant halving its number of operators and reducing leadtimes from ten days to 40 minutes. Furthermore, it has done this without any enforced redundancies owing to the fact that workers have been assimilated in other areas of production. Posits that the speedy approach produces an operating system quicker than a fully planned one.

Looks at the employment of robots at Triumph Motorcycles, detailing the areas in which they are used and how they are beneficial.

Describes the work undertaken by Oxford University’s robotics group, founded in 1985 by Professor Mike Brady. States that these university scientists have their feet firmly on the ground and illustrates this by giving details of a number of industrially‐sponsored projects with which they are involved; in the medical, automotive and defence sectors. Shows how the group fits in to Oxford’s engineering department as a whole.

Investigates the use of robotic sewing systems for assembling car headrest covers at Moll, a German company. Notes the key role of robots in the production process by virtue of their flexible movement. Reports on increased use of computerization by the company and mentions a current research project looking at the use of robotic sewing systems aimed at the clothing industry, a much greater market.

Focuses on the recent boom in research on rapid prototyping (RP), particularly in the area of eliminating the stepped surface of the RP model, as evidenced by the papers expounded at the 5th European Conference on Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing, held in Helsinki. Reports that Europe is lagging behind the USA in all aspects of RP, and relates suggestions from the conference to improve on this position.

Reports on a number of new robotic products launched at the industrial fair in Hanover 1996. Details various robotic controllers and their characteristics used by, for example, Kuka, Reis, Fanuc, Cloos.

Summarizes the main characteristics of Stäubli’s V_Trajsig software option which the company claims provides a unique way of achieving an optimum path‐following performance.

Features the French assembly system designer, Prodel, and its UK systems integrator, Schenck Automation Systems, reporting great success with its new modular design, owing to its flexibility and simplicity. Looks at its application at Strix, a manufacturer of electric kettle switches, which is in the initial stages of introducing assembly automation.