V. Daniel Hunt – författare

Understanding Robotics is an introductory text on robotics and covers topics ranging from from the components of a robotic system, including sensors, to the industrial applications of robotics. The major factors justifying the use of robots for manufacturing are also discussed, along with the use of robots as a manufacturing tool, their impact on people, and the future of robotics. This book is comprised of eight chapters and begins with an overview of the roots of robotics and the use of robots in the manufacturing environment; advances in robot technology and typical applications of robots; reasons for using robots in the manufacturing environment; and the different manufacturing functions they perform, including visual inspection and intricate welding operations. A definition of the word ""robot"" is presented, and the impact of robots on jobs is considered. Subsequent chapters focus on the elements of a robot system, including the computer/controller, actuator power drive, and sensors; sensor applications in robotics; robotic usage by industry; economic justification of robotics; manufacturing technology and the role robotics can play in improving the United States'' competitive manufacturing position; and the impact of robots on people and vice versa. The final chapter is devoted to market trends and competitiveness of the U.S. robotics industry and assesses the future prospects of robotics. This monograph should be a valuable resource for technologists and researchers interested in robots and robotics.

Manufacturing has entered the early stages of a revolutionary period caused by the convergence of three powerful trends: • The rapid advancement and spread of manufacturing capabilities worldwide has created intense competition on a global scale. • The emergence of advanced manufacturing technologies is dramati­ cally changing both the products and processes of modern manufac­ turing. • Changes in traditional management and labor practices, organiza­ tional structures, and decision-making criteria represent new sources of competitiveness and introduce new strategic opportunities. These trends are interrelated and their effects are already being felt by the u.s. manufacturing community. Future competitiveness for manu­ facturers worldwide will depend on their response to these trends. Based on the recent performance of u.s. manufacturers, efforts to respond to the challenges posed by new competition, technology, and managerial opportunities have been slow and inadequate. Domestic markets that were once secure have been assailed by a growing number of foreign competitors producing high quality goods at low prices. In a number of areas, such as employment, capacity utilization, research and development expenditures, and capital investment, trends in u.s. manufacturing over the last decade have been unfavorable or have not kept pace with major foreign competitors, such as Japan. There is substantial evidence that many u.s. manufacturers have neglected the manufacturing function, have overemphasized product development at the expense of process improvements, and have not begun to make the adjustments that will be necessary to be competitive.

Robotics Sourcebook provides concise, up-to-date definitions of the terms, acronyms, and abbreviations currently used in robotics. It covers industrial robots, smart robots, and military robots, as well as machine vision, laser systems, CAD/CAM/CIM, advanced manufacturing technology, production processes, bar code identification, and factories of the future. It explains how robots work, and it presents key factors in robot implementation, as well as examples of typical applications, from assembly functions and die-casting to foundry, inspection, and forging. It also analyzes the world robotics market and includes forecasts of market trends. Divided into four parts encompassing 12 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the robotics industry and U.S. industrial performance, along with current international competitors and their markets, including Japan, Western Europe, France, Britain, and West Germany. It proceeds with a discussion of technological developments, research and development, standards, international agreements, definitions of terms, and robotics programs such as those of NASA, the National Science Foundation, U.S. Navy Robotics, and the United Kingdom. Also included is extensive reference material that contains points of contact for additional information and a detailed bibliography, plus photographs, charts, and diagrams. This book should be a useful reference source for engineers or professionals working in the field of industrial robotics.

This book provides an introduction to RFID technology. It describes and addresses the following: How RFID works, how it is and can be used in current and future applications. The History of RFID technology, the current state of practice and where RFID is expected to be taken in the future. The role of middleware software to route data between the RFID network and the information technology systems within an organization.   Commercial and government use of RFID technology with an emphasis on a wide range of applications including retail and consumer packaging, transportation and distribution of products, industrial and manufacturing operations, security and access control. Industry standards and the regulatory compliance environment and finally, the privacy issues faced by the public and industry regarding the deployment of RFID technology.

This book provides an introduction to RFID technology. It describes and addresses the following: How RFID works, how it is and can be used in current and future applications. The History of RFID technology, the current state of practice and where RFID is expected to be taken in the future. The role of middleware software to route data between the RFID network and the information technology systems within an organization.   Commercial and government use of RFID technology with an emphasis on a wide range of applications including retail and consumer packaging, transportation and distribution of products, industrial and manufacturing operations, security and access control. Industry standards and the regulatory compliance environment and finally, the privacy issues faced by the public and industry regarding the deployment of RFID technology.

The first practical guide to using reengineering to dramatically improve the development and success of new products. Executives, product development teams and engineering design groups will see how to consistently execute successful new product launches. In a compelling, clear fashion, Hunt describes how companies can fully integrate their product development process by focusing on seven key initiatives. They include process understanding; broad-based process reengineering; establishing quality goals and multi-functional teams; using the right tools and techniques; and implementing ongoing continuous improvement.

A business organization, like a human body, is only as effective as its various processes. Pretty obvious, right? Yet, as V. Daniel Hunt demonstrates in this groundbreaking book, the failure to appreciate this obvious fact is the reason most reengineering schemes fail. Managers whose job it is to improve company performance, like physicians who work to improve patient health, must develop a clear picture of how each process fits into the overall organizational structure; how it ought to function; and how well it is performing at any given moment; before they can form a diagnosis or devise a treatment strategy. Fortunately, a powerful new analytical tool that has emerged in recent years helps you to do all of that and much more. Developed at General Electric, process mapping has been implemented in companies around the globe, and the results have been simply astonishing. Now find out how to make this breakthrough reengineering technology work for your organization in Process Mapping. The first and only hands-on guide of its kind, Process Mapping arms you with a full complement of state-of-the-art tools and techniques for assessing existing business processes and developing a detailed road map for ongoing change and improvement. Internationally known management consultant and bestselling author V. Daniel Hunt guides you step-by-step through the entire process. He helps you assess the need for process reengineering in your organization and determine whether or not a process map is what you need. He shows you how to create a process mapping team and helps you select the best-buy process mapping tools for the job. He explains how to gather vital information about your business processes via focused interviews and other interview techniques, and how to use this data in implementing process mapping. He also offers expert advice on how to apply your process map to significantly improve business functions and bottom-line performance. Hunt draws upon the experiences of companies around the world whose process mapping success stories will be a source of inspiration and instruction. You'll find out just how process mapping was put to use--and the results it achieved--at General Electric, IBM, NASA, Tandy Electronics, Shawmut National Bank, Fluor Daniel, Exxon, and other leading product and service firms. Find out all about today's most important new management tool and how to put it to work for continuous improvement in your organization in Process Mapping. The first and only hands-on guide to a powerful new process mapping tool The most important new process improvement tool to come along in more than a decade, process mapping enables managers to easily identify and assess the various business processes that make up their organizations and to develop a road map for continued performance improvement. Now find out how to make this breakthrough management tool work in your organization by applying Process Mapping. V. Daniel Hunt, the bestselling author of Reengineering, Quality in America, and The Survival Factor, guides you step-by-step through the entire process. He gives you all the proven process mapping tools and techniques you need to: * Assess the need for process improvement in your company * Decide if process mapping is right for you * Create a process mapping team * Select the best process mapping software tools for the job * Collect vital information about business processes * Use the data to build your own process map * Use your process map to significantly improve bottom-line business performance Hunt also provides detailed case studies of product and service companies around the globe that have discovered the value of process mapping. You'll find out how General Electric, IBM, NASA, Tandy Electronics, Shawmut National Bank, Fluor Daniel, Exxon, and other leading companies achieved stunning results when they made process mapping part of their business improvement efforts.

Artificial Intelligence and expert systems research, development, and demonstration have rapidly expanded over the past several years; as a result, new terminology is appearing at a phenomenal rate. This sourcebook provides an introduction to artificial intelligence and expert systems, it provides brief definitions, it includes brief descriptions of software products, and vendors, and notes leaders in the field. Extensive support material is provided by delineating points of contact for receiving additional information, acronyms, a detailed bibliography, and other reference data. The terminology includes artificial intelligence and expert system elements for: • Artificial Intelligence • Expert Systems • Natural language Processing • Smart Robots • Machine Vision • Speech Synthesis The Artificial Intelligence and Expert System Sourcebook is compiled from informa­ tion acquired from numerous books, journals, and authorities in the field of artificial intelligence and expert systems. I hope this compilation of information will help clarify the terminology for artificial intelligence and expert systems' activities. Your comments, revisions, or questions are welcome. V. Daniel Hunt Springfield, Virginia May, 1986 ix Acknowledgments The information in Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems Sourcebook has been compiled from a wide variety of authorities who are specialists in their respective fields. The following publications were used as the basic technical resources for this book. Portions of these publications may have been used in the book. Those definitions or artwork used have been reproduced with the permission to reprint of the respective publisher.