University Daily Kansan, March 22, 1985
NATION AND WORLD
Page 11
Students improve robot for industry
By ANN PETERSON Staff Reporter
Thanks to Merlin, mechanical engineering students now are at the forefront of the industrial robot revolution. Merlin, a 5-foot, orang- red robot, and the students are working together to help small businesses compete against large manufacturers.
Within three to seven years, Merlin, a robot that can be trained to do industrial tasks, will be an example of the factory worker of the future in which repetitive, dull and inefficient machines are programmed robots, Bill Barr, professor of mechanical engineering, said Tuesday.
Although large manufacturers, such as automotive industries, are using robots on assembly lines, smaller manufacturers, such as that produces products don't have the money or technology to compete, Barr said.
ABOUT 11 STUDENTS are working to standardize Merlin so that small businesses will be able to
improve their manufacturing systems. The businesses can use robots that cost anywhere from $20,000 to $300,000 and also will have access to components and interchangeable parts, hope to standardize in Merlin.
"We are programming robots that are easy to work with, not smart ones." Barr said.
Merlin and its computer work station, which consists of a computer terminal and teaching device, cost about $100,000. The robot and station are financed by the National Bureau of Standards and the U.S. Navy Material Command's Manufacturing Technology Division.
Three years ago, these organizations picked the University of Kansas and six other universities to develop standards for robots and computers that would be used by small manufacturing firms.
"KU HAD AN interest in computer-related systems and excellent lab facilities," said Barr. "And we were being supported by the corporation in California that had given us about $400,000 of equipment."
The robot program, which is expected to last for about 10 years, began in April 1983, with funds of $150,000. Last year, KU received $250,000 and this year, $200,000.
The organizations also want KU students to improve the robots' intelligence in performing activities such as hand gripping, placing, moving and other tasks that are done on mass production lines.
John Majerle, Prairie Village graduate student, said, "The robots are so primitive compared to a person. They are repetitive but very dumb."
ONCE THE ROBOT learns to perform a specific task, it can do it over and over again. But that's the easy part, Majerle said.
First, students must design and test computer programs, parts, instructions and specific tasks for Merlin to perform.
Majerie has been working all semester on a better robot hand, or gripping device, that will more closely mimic objects on machinery, he said.
In the lab in Learned Hall, a manufacturing cell is set up that includes Merlin, computers and the industrial machine the robot will operate.
Some students work on computer programs, talking to the robot through a computer and telling it what to do. One class, Mechanical Engineering 708, has as its class project the task of designing the vice-type fixture on which the robot will eventually work.
For the students, the opportunity to work with computers is a priceless one, said John's brother Joe Majerle, program director. The experience they gain can lead them to jobs in robotics or other computer-control equipment jobs.
Barr said, "Although the goal is to help the business environment, our goal is education — sharp engineers."
Views about sex differ, prof says
Robotics is essential if the U.S. wants to compete in industry, Barr said industries in Japan are using robots in industry than the United States, he said.
By JEANINE HOWE Staff Reporter
Most men view sex as the beginning of an intimate relationship, while women view talking as the beginning of an intimate relationship. Joey Sprague, assistant professor of sociology, said yesterday.
Staff Reporter
Sprague was one of three professors who discussed intimate relationships with about 15 students yesterday afternoon in the International Room of the Kansas Union. The discussion was sponsored by the Sociology Club and Alpha Kappa Delta, an honorary sociology society.
Sprague said, "There is a difference between men and women's definitions of an intimate relationship just as there is a difference between intimate relationships and sexual relationships."
Sharon Brehm, professor of psychology, said it was difficult to define intimate relationships.
"It is hard to define intimate relationships as adult, romantic-sexual relationships because parent-child relationships are intimate." Brehm said.
Sandra Albrecht, assistant professor of sociology, said, "Intimacy has always been a problem in our culture — the issue of craziness over sex. We can't understand a friendship between a male and a female without sex."
There are various types of intimate relationships, Brehm said, but most people perceived only two — an intimate relationship with a sexual partner and an intimate relationship between close friends.
Brehm said the bonding between a parent and a child and the working
relationship between fellow workers also could be intimate.
The fear of intimacy reflects people's reservations about opening up to others and making themselves vulnerable.
Albrecht said society had an image of
them, and some people have
had that trauma so that
traits are learned.
"Men are very emotional when they are aggressive, but yet they don't have the right to cry, to be vulnerable." she said.
Brehm said society today allowed women to be emotional and sociable, but men were still expected to be only competent and task-oriented.
ON CAMPUS
Tom Allison, Hutchinson sophomore, said it was more difficult for men to have close relationships with other men than for women to have close relationships with other women.
TODAY
THE KU SPANISH Club will meet from 3:30 to 4 p.m. in the deli on the second floor of the Burge Union. Afterward, a "TGIF" conversation group from New York is interested in Spanish is encouraged to attend.
THE WEEKLY MEETING of the Biology Club will be at 4 p.m. in the sunflower Room of the Kansas Union.
FILM MINISTRIES FOR CHRIS will sponsor a screening of "The Cross and the Switchblade" at 8 in the Pine Room of the Union
TOMORROW
THE 1985 JUNIOR ROTC Drill Meet will be at 10 a.m. in Moch Auditorium. Participants in the competition will be from Kansas high schools and will be judged by Army and ROTC detachments.
Are You Creative?
You may be more talented than you think. And SUA Fine Arts has an outlet for your creative talents. Committees are now forming for the Union Gallery, Poets and Writers, Drama Series, Photography Show, Arts and Crafts Festival, and various other projects.
Applications available in the SUA office in the Kansas Union. Due by March 29. If you have any questions, please call the SUA office: 864-3477.
--with Sidney Poitier
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"A ten minute habit which can save your life" Watkins Memorial Hospital Student Health Service presents a seminar on breast self-examination.
-Wed., March 27, 7 p.m.—
The Student Health Service at Watkins Hospital presents
To Your Good Health
"A ten minute habit which can save your life"
- Film on Breast Self-Examination.
(American, Cancer Society)
If you're concerned about breast cancer, learn breast self-examination.
(American Cancer Society)
- Discussion on Breast Cancer.
- For More Info. call Lynn Heller, R.N., Dep. Health Education at 843-4455 ext.31.
- "How to examine your breasts."
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