By Graham K. Rogers

Epson has maintained a good position in the development of robots for industrial use. One of its products is a six-axis robot: the C4 series. This was announced several months ago as an extensive update to the previous C3.

A major factor in the success of these devices is the use of its proprietary QMEMS quartz crystal sensors which allow development of robots offering high speed, high precision and durability, while also reducing vibration.

Putting its money where its mouth is, Epson is using a number of robots from the C4 series in the next generation print head line that was announced in mid-2013. The use of such robots has contributed to the high productivity and quality of the fully automated production processes on that line.

In a press release, Epson outlines the way the technology used in the C4 may be incorporated into a manufacturing line and has details of how additional features, such as camera monitoring and software that allows faster retooling for new product lines.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand where he is also Assistant Dean. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.