The following advances in industrial electronics in 1985 are discussed: software for direct manufacturing of moulds for plastic parts from computer-aided design data; computer-based systems for inspecting printed-circuit boards; systems for controlling robots used in welding; X-ray systems for the nondestructive testing of metal parts for structural integrity; process controllers that can adjust to changing process conditions; and expert systems for manufacturing CMOS integrated circuits. Attention is also given to advances in robotics in Japan and to the marked increase in the number of industrial robots there.
Published in:
Spectrum, IEEE
(Volume:23
,
Issue:
1
)
Date of Publication: Jan. 1986