Internet page

Citation

Rigelsford, J. (2002), "Internet page", Industrial Robot, Vol. 29 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2002.04929bag.001

Internet page

http://www.meta-mvs.com/Meta Vision Systems

Keywords: Welding, Internet, Robotics

Meta Vision Systems was formed in 1983 and is one of the few companies world-wide that is totally dedicated to solving guidance problems using laser technology. They are able to offer laser tracking solutions for many welding applications but also non welding processes where following an edge or a feature or positioning a tool is required. Laser tracking is a non-contact system that overcomes the inherent disadvantages of mechanical probes which cannot cope with thin materials and small gaps. Laser tracking can be used with all types of welding equipment including MIG, TIG, Submerged Arc, Plasma and Laser.

This is an informative and professional looking site that is well worth visiting.

http://www.sonicitalia.it/inglese/ index.htmSonic Italia

Sonic Italia is a producer of ultra sonic welding units and in collaboration with anthropomorphic robot producing companies such as ABB, has developed a new system for the welding and riveting of thermoplastics. This system combines anthropomorphic robotic technology with an ultrasonic welder and is suitable for welding systems for automobile plastic parts and ultrasonically welded motorcycle parts.

http://freespace.virgin.net/alsonic.ltd/Alsonic Ltd

Alsonic Ltd is the sole UK importers for Sonic Italia. Although this site is still under construction it surpasses the Sonic Italia site. Information can be found about ultrasonic welding, tooling and cleaning equipment; sound cabinets; and joint design information.

http://www.cloos.de/Cloos GmbH

Cloos GmbH was established in 1919 and concentrated on the construction and manufacture of acetylene generators and autogenuous welding torches. In 1956 a revolutionary CO2 shielded arc welding power source the GLA 500 was introduced to the welding industry, developed by Erwin Cloos. The company now produces welding power supplies (TIG and digital), step switch units, robots with controllers, power sources and peripheral components including positioners, tools and safety equipment, master controller, sensors, and quality control systems

This is quite a good site which is available in both English and German and contains lots of pictures and product specifications.

http://www.laserwelding.com/Laser Welding International, Inc.

A tailored welded blank is often composed of several flat sheets of steel, each having different strengths, thicknesses and or finishes. The blank welding process welds these individual sheets together before they are stamped into a single auto-body panel. Laser Welding International, Inc. serves the United States, Canada, Mexico and Latin America with tailor welded blanks. They pioneered linear and non-linear tailor blank welding and rotary-axis welding for gears, clutch components and other cylindrical applications.

http://www.permanova.com/Permanova Lasersystem AB

Permanova is a Swedish company that specialises in laser systems and optical components. Their customers include Volvo, Saab Automotive, Ericsson and Sandvik. Their product range includes Lafario robotic cells for cutting and welding; PermaMark industrial equipment for laser marking; and PermaWeld equipment for laser welding.

Overall, this is a small but interesting site.

http://www.corusservicecentres.com/

This is a very professional looking site with a Flash introduction and quite a good product search facility.

Corus has developed a European service centre network to meet the needs of every sector of industry. They provide advanced material processing services, including laser cutting and welding, slitting, sawing, multi-strand and press blanking, shot blasting, robotic welding, and plasma and oxy-gas profiling.

http://www.micrometric.uk.com/Micrometric

Micrometric was established in 1982 is a European leader in the use of lasers for the manufacture of precision components. They are based in Lincoln, UK and have a broad range of high peak power Nd:YAG and high power CO2 lasers and are capable of machining a diverse range of materials and sections.

This web site has some useful links to other laser resources available on the internet. The product search engine is quite good but has a few faults.

Hot sites

http://www.rofin-sinar.com/Rofin-Sinar

Rofin-Sinar has installed 14,000 systems world-wide over the last 25 years and has dedicated itself to becoming one of the leading manufacturers of lasers and laser- based solutions for industrial material processing. Their plant in Hamburg offers diode pumped solid-state laser beam sources, CO2 lasers, and diode lasers, along with applications training, maintenance and operating, individual service contracts, and product services. The Rofin Laser Macro Group specialises in industrial material processing with high-power lasers.

Overall, this is a very good site which contains plenty of corporate and product information and is available in both English and German. This is a large site which includes information about robot welding, welding of plastics and fine welding.

http://www.lasermachining.com/Laser Machining, Inc.

Laser Machining, Inc. combines process development with full service contract manufacturing. They manufacture both modular and engineered laser processing systems for converting, cutting, scoring, drilling, welding and heat treating a variety of materials including speciality metals, plastics, thin films, ceramics, wood and composites materials.

This is a very good web site and is well worth visiting.

Jon Rigelsford