Robotics: Applications for the Graphic Arts

The development of the science of robotics is briefly described with emphasis on university research advances. The Robotics Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University is described in some detail with brief descriptions of the six robotics laboratories currently established and operating: intelligent systems laboratory; vision laboratory; sensor laboratory; mobile robots laboratory; flexible assembly laboratory; and flexible machining laboratory. The current applications of robotics in the graphic arts to palletizing operations is briefly reviewed. Current research for future robotics applications in the graphic arts are described in some detail. These are: press process analysis; printed circuit inspection; press-to-truck distribution control; and plant management systems. Some potential future applications of robotics to the graphic arts are suggested together with a review of the likely growth of the robotics industry.