Technology 1991: industrial electronics

Progress in industrial electronics during 1990 is reviewed. Fuzzy logic, intelligent control, and computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) are improving manufacturing flexibility and reducing costs. At the same time, advanced computer numerical control (CNC) based on a reduced-instruction-set computer (RISC) chip is expected to sharpen precision in high-speed machining. There were notable advances toward an open system architecture for programmable controllers and machine vision systems. An X-ray laminography system for inspecting the solder joints on printed-circuit boards, particularly those of surface-mounted components, with 25 mu m resolution became available.<
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