SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Core Strengths

Robotics, End-Effectors & Controls

Machine Vision

Optical Sensing
& Control

Machine Design

System Integration

Automated Surface
Processing

Lean Manufacturing

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SwRI possesses expertise in a wide variety of fields and is constantly investigating new technologies and ways to apply existing technologies to new industries. Major focus areas of the Manufacturing Systems Department include:

• Robotics, End-Effectors, & Controls
  Applied research, simulation, & implementation; robotic systems; kinematic devices; end-effectors; haptics; telerobotics; control algorithms: real-time, flexible linkages, redundant systems, fuzzy control, neural networks. (William Clay Flannigan)
   

• Machine Vision
  Image processing, scene analysis, pattern recognition, model-based vision, sensor fusion, motion analysis, infrared image analysis, dimensional inspection, industrial inspection, and process control. (Dr. Michael Rigney)
   

• Optical Sensing & Control
  High-precision, high-speed, distance/displacement mapping, feedback control, multi-spectral analysis, UV fluorescence, multiband fiberoptic spectrophotometry. (Dr. Michael Rigney)
   

• Machine Design & System Integration
  Custom robots, end effectors, industrial transfer, high-speed operation, high precision, semiconductor handling; harsh environments: forging, blasting, radioactive; special environments: clean rooms, vacuums, high temperature; 3-D design tools for modeling and simulation: Pro-Engineer, Solid Works, Working Model, etc. (William Clay Flannigan)
   

• Automated Surface Processing
  Polishing, painting, paint removal; hazardous materials; dry media blasting; facility and workcell design. (William Clay Flannigan)
   

• Lean Manufacturing
  Value stream mapping and analysis, rapid improvement plan, workplace organization, one-piece flow, standard work, kanban/pull systems, visual management and operations, quick changeover and setup (Bill Rafferty)
   

• Integrated Manufacturing Information Systems
  Requirements definition, process flow mapping and analysis, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software evaluation, implementation assistance, ongoing support, training, gap analysis/assessment, systems integration, inventory control systems, bar code systems (Bill Rafferty)
   

• Quality Management
  ISO 9000 implementation support, quality system assessments, implementation planning, facilitation and training, quality system development, statistical quality control design and implementation, designed experiments, control charts, acceptance sampling, regression analysis (Bill Rafferty)
   

• Facility Layout Planning
  Resource requirements planning, data collection, relationship charting, space utilization analysis, process definition, simulation modeling, layout design development and evaluation, computer-aided drafting (CAD), implementation activities (Bill Rafferty)

For more information about the core strengths of manufacturing systems services at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please e-mail Paul T. Evans, or call (210) 522-2994.
 

| Manufacturing Systems Department | Automation and Data Systems Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

April 18, 2008