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Outlines the trend in utilising the fixed tool/moving workpiece concept in automatic production processes, in which a standard robot can be employed for both positioning and orientation of the workpiece. This process is used widely in the automotive industry and its’ economic and technical advantages are illustrated by examining its use in several processes such as the glazing of automobiles, roller seam welding, deburring and griding of sand and die castings, power press feeding and spot welding. Concludes that many industrial processes in which the robot presently carries the process equipment through the manufacturing cycle can be technically and economically improved by allowing the robot to present the workpiece to fixed process equipment.

Kuka Robotics – Automation celebrated 30 years of operation in the UK and a new name by holding an Open Week at its UK headquarters in Halesowen, at which a diverse range of products and application solutions were exhibited. On show was the RoboCoaster, the “world's first passenger carrying robot” aimed at theme parks and fair grounds, a quartet of co‐operating robots, the rapid manufacturing process of surface metal deposition and a robot polishing cell for aerospace cover plates. Two new products from Germany primarily for automotive applications were RoboJig, a flexible robot tooling system for low volume and niche market vehicle components and SmartGrip, a modular “repairable” gripper system for large components such as body sides and underbodies.