Mechatronics: Japan's Newest Threat

I Background.- 1 Introduction to Mechatronics.- What is Mechatronics?.- The Japanese Approach to Mechatronics.- Benefits of Mechatronics.- Challenges to Management and the Organization.- America Challenged!.- Summary.- About This Book.- 2 Mechatronic System Elements.- System Concept.- II Applications.- 3 Factory Automation.- Applications of Computer-Aided Design.- Robots for Factory Automation.- Numerically Controlled Machines for Factory Automation.- Mechatronic Applications.- 4 Office Automation.- The Automated Office¿Present and Future.- Basic Functions for an Automated Factory.- Users and Providers of Information.- Telecommunication and Information Processing.- Office Automation Technologies.- Data Bases for Office Automation.- Office Automation and Manufacturing Interface.- Mechatronics and Office Automation.- 5 Home Automation.- The Home of the Future.- Home Information Systems.- The Automated Kitchen.- Home Security Systems.- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.- Water and Energy Management.- Home Master Control.- Personal Robots.- III Technology.- 6 Computer Integrated Systems.- to Computer-Integrated Systems.- Computer-Aided Design (CAD).- Computer-Aided Manufacturing.- Tools and Strategies for Manufacturing Management.- Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing.- 7 Smart Robots.- to Robotics.- Robot System Elements.- Robot Sensor Systems.- End-Effector Tooling for Robots.- Implementation of Robotics.- Typical Robot Applications.- The Future of Robotics.- 8 Machine Vision Systems.- Framework for Machine Vision.- Elements of Machine Vision.- Practical Machine Vision Systems.- The State of the Art in Machine Vision.- IV Assessment.- 9 Technology Assessment.- Manipulators and Actuators.- Precision Mechanisms.- Machine Vision Systems.- Non-Vision Sensor Systems.- Artificial Intelligence.- Software for Mechatronics.- Flexible Manufacturing Systems.- Assembly/Inspection Systems.- 10 Trends in Mechatronics.- The Future of Mechatronics.- Growth in Computer Technology.- World Market Trends.- Trends in Factory Automation.- Trends in Office Automation.- Trends in Home Automation.- 11 A Blueprint for the Future.- Opportunity for System Integration.- Enhanced Productivity.- Impact on People and Jobs.- Changes in Education.- Appendix A Glossary.- Appendix B Reference Materials.- Japanese Information Sources.- U.S. Report on Mechatronics.- Mechatronics Standards.