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The nomest already easy to understand EnglishAccording to Euronext not likely before OctoberThe Directorate General of tax published end January 2006 1 a statement drawing the consequences of a judgment of the Court of justice of the European communities in October 2005 2It is also more than 30 of the votes at the IMFOn the MTN their value was at the end of second quarter 59But in the end very few original scenes were cutThe thermometer already accuses the 28 CAl dente pasta time is not yet for tomorrowJurmala is unique indefinable atmosphereThe Government sees the end of his ordealIf there are today approximately one million robots in large enterprises around the world, these amazing machines remain inaccessible to SMEs, because too expensive and too complicated to implement. The objective of the European project SME Robot, which runs until 2010, is to finally make robots compatible with the requirements of the 230,000 medium-sized and small enterprises. Under the auspices of the German research centre Fraunhofer IPA, the project consists of several companies, including five Europeans and manufacturers the technical Centre of mechanical industries (Cetim) in France.
In the modern industrial world, robots have become indispensable, because they are very suited to industrialization in major series and large plants. They know painting, welding, drilling, assemble, measure or even load parts or materials. On the other hand, "they cannot perform movements with the hand of man is capable, such as sanding, wood or ceramic machining", said Philippe Guégan, the Cetim. More boring, very powerful, industrial robots and running at high rates, are generally surrounded by fencing designed to protect human beings human circulating around. Finally, their use is complicated and their programming requires the intervention of specialists.
To enter the workshops for SMEs, the robots will have to metamorphose. "Their behaviour will have to move closer to that of human beings", summarizes Philippe Guégan. It is the issue of SME Robot. First imperative, making the "collaborative" robot, that is able to work in the same space as the human operator, or even with him. Without barrier or security device, the robot will need to set its own limits. It will thus adapt its speed of movement based on the presence of a human being in its environment. When humans entering the orange box, the robot will reduce its speed. It will even totally stop at the entrance to the operator in the red zone. Some robots will be directly manipulated by man. We must also change the legislation, which imposes today surround the industrial robots of protections.
There are also technical obstacles to overcome. We already know that the area will be monitored by cameras. But what if the atmosphere of the workshop is obscured by smoke related to work of welds or fumes of oil "That happens the day where a robot programmed to manipulate blue pieces will be in the presence of a wearing blue gloves operator", asked Philippe Guégan.
Simplify programming
The second requirement is to facilitate the installation of these machines with a modular approach "plug and play". Thus, an SME should be able to install its own robot in just three days from standardized components. This is one of the challenges the most sensitive to meet, since each industry has its own protocols of communication and connection systems are obviously not compatible between them . Need further able to assemble the modules easily, and reliably. "It will take to develop new types of fittings, cables, bearings," said Philippe Guégan.
Once installed, these robots will be simpler to program through new interfaces. The voice is a first technique. Today, the protagonists have more hope in command tables very simplified, like those used in some machines implemented in the textile industry. "Control panels and desks display easily understandable pictograms by anyone, anywhere in the world." "It's a big advantage over the voice command," stresses Philippe Guégan. These multiple benefits, including ease of use, should reduce the cost of use of these future machines to reach one-third of current robots. At the end of the SME Robot project, the industry should have developed one or more technical demonstrators.
