bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The unenviable position of the local authority landlord
Authors: Hughes LLB David
Published: February 2008

Property managers in the private domestic sector will be aware of the problems which beset that seemingly inexorably shrinking part of the housing market. The complexities deriving from the Rent Acts, and the facts that (a) owner occupiers paying mortgages receive mortgage interest relief; (b) public sector tenants receive assistance with their housing costs in the form of exchequer subsidies; and (c) private sector tenants can receive a ‘hidden’ subsidy in the form of ‘fair rent’ restrictions, while the private landlord himself receives no such help with his housing costs or tax burden — all these combine to make the lot of the lessor of private rent accommodation a less than happy one.
Licence to assign — some problems
Authors: Freedman LLB Philip
Published: February 2008

Landlords seem to be receiving more applications for consent to assignment of commercial leases than ever before. It is no doubt a reflection of the present economic climate in which many tenants find it increasingly difficult to pay ever escalating rents, and landlords are justifiably scrutinizing such applications more closely than ever before. The purpose of these notes is to review briefly the basic legal position and to discuss some of the more problematical points.
Party walls for property managers
Authors: Anstey BA FRICS FCIArb John
Published: February 2008

Anyone can be a party wall surveyor. Despite the continued successful existence of The Pyramus and Thisbe Club, it is not yet a condition of The London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939, that a party wall surveyor should be selected from that august body, even though it probably does contain the best in the business. No qualification is called for in the Act, and no indication is given as to what sort of person should be chosen, except in the use of the word ‘surveyor’. As, unlike ‘architect’, the term ‘surveyor’ is not protected and limited to the qualified and registered, it would seem that an adjoining owner, in whose ranks the property manager is presumably to be found, can appoint his sister, cousin, aunt or, if he is determined upon gross nepotism, his grandson, rather than a specialist in the field.
VAT and property management
Authors: Landon P.L.
Published: February 2008

One might be forgiven, I suppose, for querying the point of an article like this. After all, rent and property sales are VAT free. And as far as VAT on property outgoings is concerned well, that is just one of those unavoidable facts of life — an expense to be passed on to the tenant as part of the rent or service charge. That would be far too simplistic, however. Not all receipts arising from land escape VAT. Nor is it always possible to avoid bearing a VAT cost oneself — and that affects profits.
Rates and the property manager — Part II
Authors: Oxley BSc M. , Maxted BSc Msc DipTP ARICS W.M.
Published: February 2008

There is a danger that any significant changes in the rating system will involve only dwellings and that non‐domestic rating will continue as before. There are, however, strong arguments for either the reform, or abolition of, rates on business premises. They are not related to ability to pay or the cost of services used; the payers are not local voters and infrequent revaluations alter unfairly the relative burdens of different businesses. Non‐domestic rates provided an estimated 24 per cent of local government rate fund revenue in Great Britain in 1981/82 compared with 19 per cent contributed by domestic rate payers and 57 per cent from Exchequer grants.
Lighting: The way ahead
Authors: Boyce P.R.
Published: February 2008

The functions of lighting Lighting is provided in a building to fulfil three basic functions:
Partnership perspectives in tourism and recreational property development
Authors: Walker Nigel T.
Published: February 2008

Property development partnerships are increasingly being seen in the UK as a means of achieving tourism and recreational projects. This article briefly examines the nature of the relevant property development market; characteristics and attitudes of involved organisations; purposes, benefits and mechanics of partnerships (illustrated by two case studies); and future directions for partnerships. The issues and potential approaches identified are, to varying extents, of relevance to project implementation in developed and developing countries.
Managing the Cambridge Science Park
Authors: Tweddle J.V.
Published: February 2008

The principal and, many would say, the sole purpose of management is to maximise the freeholder's or long leaseholder's interest in land or property both in the short term and over a longer time span.
Lease term bargaining
Authors: Stapleton Tim
Published: February 2008

Introduction This paper discusses the strategy of lease term negotiation having particular regard to the date and character of voluntary improvement expenditures by tenants, and the provisions of the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act and rent reviews for the period of disregard of improvements when determining open market rent.
Savings in service charges
Authors: Wyldbore‐Smith M.A.
Published: February 2008

Service charges have evolved over the last 30 years or so and whereas they used to be largely ignored in a tenants decision to rent accommodation they have now become a major factor in his calculations to determine what he can afford. As such they are very often responsible for stunting rental growth.
The measurement distortion factor and service charges
Authors: Furbur J. David
Published: February 2008

Introduction The chart, on page 40, lists Liverpool office data on service charges over the years 1975–79 separated into the main cost components making up the total charge. The main factor to emerge from such data is the considerable variations which exist in the charge per square foot of net lettable area for every component.
Restoring Hull's Historic Shops
Authors: Tritton P.
Published: February 2008

Bradford Property Trust plc, one of Britain's largest owners of rented homes, has completed the restoration of one of England's first purpose‐built shopping centres to be built on a ‘green field’ site.
Planning for the cost effective office
Authors: Aubrey Jones Joan
Published: February 2008

Introduction Office accommodation is frequently seen by companies merely as an expensive overhead. Looked at realistically, however, it is an investment which, if made judiciously — will pay handsome dividends.
Building control — An update
Authors: Billington M.J.
Published: February 2008

Introduction My previous article on the subject of building control1 was written before the system had come into operation and was based on consultative documents only. It seems appropriate, therefore, to review the situation now that the system has come formally into operation.
Reducing the risk of financial loss from fire
Authors: Jarrett FRICS MACostE Martin
Published: February 2008

Introduction The professional property manager's business is investment. He looks for good returns from his portfolio — so he needs to protect it from possible disasters. If this protection is to be effective, he must insure for the correct amount, taking into account not only the costs of reinstating property, but also loss of income while reconstruction is taking place. He is also likely to find that professional help with handling claims and arranging rebuilding will save both time and money.
Investing out‐of‐town
Authors: Pool FRICS John
Published: February 2008

Investors are shopping around in the provinces — literally. Retail property is by far the most popular sector of the market with the whole spectrum of investors, from major institutions to private individuals, recognising the growth in return to be gained from shops in a good position.
Store location assessment
Authors: Simkin L. , Doyle P. , Saunders J.
Published: February 2008

Introduction This paper is a summary of an extensive research project which reviewed the store location literature and surveyed the practices of UK multiple retailers' location assessors. Upon this state of the art review, the authors examined the model building theory, before developing an operational model capable of predicting turnover potential for new store locations. In this instance, the paper concentrates on the survey, while endeavouring to introduce the model building concept.
‘UMLEGUNG’ — THE THINKING MAN'S THREE‐DIMENSIONAL MONOPOLY
Authors: Farrell M.R. , Jones G.A.
Published: February 2008

There is in West Germany an impressive array of statutory measures available to ensure that the planning aims are achieved. This joint paper deals with one of these — Umlegung, the enforced land transfer system of the Bundesbaugesetz (The Federal Building Act).
THE NUGEE REPORT ON PROBLEMS OF MANAGEMENT IN BLOCKS OF FLATS
Authors: Tennant Michael
Published: February 2008

In February 1984 Mr Ian Gow, the then Minister of Housing and Construction, established a Committee of Inquiry on the management of privately owned blocks of flats, under the chairmanship of the distinguished barrister Edward Nugee QC. The committee's report was published in the summer of 1985 and many of its recommendations are now set to become law. The proposed legislative changes will have major implications for both landlords and tenants of blocks of flats. The Nugee Report was the culmination of a series of papers in the past few years reflecting an increasing concern over the state of many blocks of flats. Recent publications on the subject include the James Report, produced by a working party established by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and a paper emanating from the Building Societies Association entitled ‘Leasehold — Time for Change’ which urged the adoption of a system of strata title for properties in multiple occupation. No one should underestimate the difficulties which the Committee of Inquiry faced. ‘Bad flat management’ covers a multitude of different situations which can be viewed from numerous different perspectives. Disputes are not just confined to those between landlord and tenant. There are conflicts between the tenants themselves, particularly in older blocks built to be rented but broken up by the grant of long leases. Add to this the further complication that many blocks are now run by managing agents who may themselves be involved in battles with either the landlord or his tenants, and it will rapidly become clear that there were no simple solutions to be found. Each recommendation had to take account of all the potential problems and not simply tackle one at the expense of exacerbating another.
FIRST COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ON MILTON KEYNES ENERGY PARK
Authors: Keynes Milton
Published: February 2008

In September 1987, the Milton Keynes Energy Park, the first of its kind in the world, announced the start on site of the first two business development schemes. As with the residential developments in the Energy Park (see Property Management Vol 5 No 2: ‘Energy initiatives in Milton Keynes’ by Alan Horton), the promoters of the park, Milton Keynes Development Corporation, have set strict energy cost criteria for all business developments. Work is underway to develop a computer‐based Industrial and Commercial Milton Keynes Energy Cost Index (MKECI), similar to the MKECI used for residential developments, which has been vetted and endorsed by the Building Research Establishment. How‐ever, so that the first business developments in the Energy Park would not be delayed, an interim procedure has been adopted based on the Chartered Institute of Building Services Energy Code (CIBSE) Part 2a. The CIBSE 2a code is recognised within the current Building Regulations 1985, and is deemed to satisfy provision for those energy conservation regulations. The CIBSE 2a code defines a procedure for calculating the thermal and electrical demand, expressed in watts per unit floor area per year, for a building. The Code also provides a more complicated format and procedure for calculating the anticipated total energy demand arising from detailed designs and specifications. This procedure enables a detailed design check to be made against the original energy target at any time during the design stage and is used by Milton Keynes Development Corporation to assess whether a design will produce an acceptable energy performance. Following an assessment of comparative low energy buildings in the UK, Europe and America, the interim Milton Keynes Industrial and Commercial energy target was set at the CIBSE 2a code target minus 40 per cent. Milton Keynes Development Corporation invited submissions from developers for two sites on the Energy Park. As well as meeting the energy performance target, the buildings had to be well designed and commercially viable. And, in order to ensure that the buildings are operated as energy efficiently as possible after occupation, the Development Corporation also requested information on the energy management systems to be employed. The first schemes selected by the Development Corporation are by developers London & Edinburgh Trust (LET) and Bride Hall Group.
SOUTHAMPTON VERSUS OUT‐OF‐TOWN SHOPPING CENTRES
Authors: Whitehead Councillor A.
Published: February 2008

Hardly a day goes by without a report about one of the great traditions of British dissent: a small group protesting at the demolition of a cottage; a lone crusader chaining him or herself to a tree to prevent its felling; or a band of enthusiasts standing in the way of a bulldozer as it attempts to fill in a duckpond. Yet that same culture, which has bred a stubborn tradition of activism in the cause of a manageable and human‐centred environment, is curiously silent in the face of a threat that will involve the demolition, potentially, of hundreds of cottages, thousands of trees and scores of duckponds. Additionally, it will involve the desecration and impoverishment of the urban landscape that city‐dwellers are only now beginning to learn is every bit as fragile and in need of care and attention as our natural heritage. This is the looming threat of the giant multi‐purpose out‐of‐town retail centre. Whether it be for a large clear span warehouse, for a retail ‘farm’ of several similar centres selling stratified lines in bulk, or the establishment of an entire alternative High Street in the middle of nowhere, most urban centres and particularly free‐standing centres, face a plethora of applications and a wash of finance and public relations expertise in the drive to persuade, cajole or bully local authorities into accepting planning applications of monumental consequences for the established retail centres of those authorities. In South Hampshire alone there are currently 18 applications under consideration for out‐of‐town shopping centres which together total in excess of 4,000,000 sq. ft. (To put this figure into real context, Southampton City Centre currently has 1,500,000 sq. ft of retail.)
EXPERT SYSTEMS FOR PROPERTY MANAGERS—1
Authors: Scott Ian , Gronow Stuart , Crofts Michael
Published: February 2008

Part 1 of this paper provides an overview of a research project currently being undertaken at the Polytechnic of Wales, engaged in investigating the suitability of expert systems for the valuation of vacant possession residential property for mortgage purposes.
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
Authors: Rooley Richard
Published: February 2008

This item details in note form, aspects of maintenance relevant to the issues of life‐cycle costing discussed in the paper by David Hoar, which was published in the last issue of Property Management.
BREACH OF COVENANT: LANDLORDS' REMEDIES
Authors: Waterson Geoffrey
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this paper is to review briefly the main remedies open to the landlord where the tenant is in breach of covenant and, in the process, both to consider some of the problems which may be encountered in this connection and to look at some of the more recent case law in this field. A subsequent paper will deal with the same general area of the law from the point of view of the tenant seeking to take action to enforce performance of the landlord's covenants. The law is stated as it is believed to be up to 1st May, 1988.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT IN THE HEALTH SERVICE
Authors: Davies Ceri
Published: February 2008

IT IS increasingly realised that property is a valuable asset which, if badly managed, can be an impediment to good practice, and a burden, in the National Health Service. But at the same time it represents an important resource which, together with finance and manpower, provides the means whereby health services are provided, improved or extended.
A FOURFOLD VISION FOR LONDON FOR 2001
Authors: Planning Advisory Committee London
Published: February 2008

• A world centre of international trade and business. • A city of stable and secure residential communities and neighbourhoods. • A civilised city. • A city of opportunities for all. These are the basic hopes of the London Planning Advisory Committee in its Strategic Advice (part of its consultation with Londoners and Government).
VALUE ADDED TAX: IMPLICATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN COURT JUDGMENT FOR SURVEYORS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS
Authors: McLellan Dermot
Published: February 2008

A new property VAT regime coming into force on 1st April, 1989, is expected to have a major impact on commercial property development and management. The Government proposes to change the VAT rules relating to commercial property in the 1989 Finance Bill following a judgment in the European Court of Justice (on 21st June) that certain UK VAT rules were inconsistent with European Law. Although the broad outlines of the new rules are fairly clear much detail remains to be defined. A consultation process will be followed (in December) by draft legislation. Until then the final details of the new rules remain a matter for speculation. The VAT rules relating to residential property will remain largely unchanged. The main changes for commercial property can be summarised as follows:
ARE MANAGING AGENTS SLEEPING ON YOUR MONEY?
Authors: Taylor Peter
Published: February 2008

WHY DOES an investor put money into property? Aside from the possible motive of development potential, the answer boils down to the basic issues of capital growth and rental income and growth.
A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES
Authors: EVANS ROBERT L.
Published: February 2008

A new and relatively revolutionary approach to logistics has allowed some companies to realise a ‘breakthrough’ change providing them with a competitive advantage. The catalysts in this revolution are the contract distribution firms. Robert L Evans looks into the background of this new idea and its implications.
MARKETING IN 1992: THE MYTHS AND REALITIES
Authors: SCHONFELD RAYMOND M
Published: February 2008

The creation of a Single Market in 1992 will mean a much broader task for the marketing function. According to Raymond M Schonfeld of Single Market Ventures the marketing task will not simply be to sell better or harder; it is about defining and securing a durable competitive position in a wider international market.
EDI OR BUST?
Authors: McCLELLAND STEPHEN
Published: February 2008

The challenges of EDI are many and varied, according to consultant John Sanders. He told Stephen McClelland about some of them.
APPLYING AI TO LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
Authors: REYNAUD BRINDLEY
Published: February 2008

Blue sky technology or a pragmatic response to competitive pressures? An expert explains how artificial intelligence is helping logistics.
EUROPE: GETTING IN ON THE ACT
Authors: ROBINSON DAVID
Published: February 2008

1992 will present logisticians and distributors with some of the most far‐reaching challenges for decades, as an observer explains.
AUSTIN ROVER, BRS and JIT
Authors: HOLLINGUM JACK
Published: February 2008

A collaborative project shows how serious the auto maker is about just‐in‐time.
MAKING THE LEADING EDGE
Authors: BOWERSOX DONALD J , DAUGHERTY PATRICIA J
Published: February 2008

What constitutes the best practice in logistics? Two researchers report on a major new study to find out.
WRAPPING UP SEAL SALES
Authors: HOLLINGUM JACK
Published: February 2008

One company is automating a complete selection process with an expert system.
EDI: Into a growth phase?
Authors: McCLELLAND STEPHEN
Published: February 2008

As the latest conference demonstrated, EDI is no longer just a passing business fad to be tolerated before moving onto something else which is the flavour of the month. It looks like being a major business tool. Stephen McClelland reports.
MANAGING STRATEGIC LEAD TIMES
Authors: CHRISTOPHER MARTIN , BRAITHWAITE ALAN
Published: February 2008

Time is a business commodity which has an enormous opportunity cost. Yet normal business controls make no attempt to value or identify the scale or nature of this. In this paper Professor Martin Christopher and Alan Braithwaite introduce the concept of Strategic Lead Time Management as a means of measuring and valuing the time efficiency of business.
EDI — THE WAY FORWARD
Authors: PALMER DAVID
Published: February 2008

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a much discussed topic, but remains widely misunderstood. In this article David Palmer clarifies the current significance and future direction of EDI.
A NEW ZEALAND REVOLUTION
Authors: BAKER D.
Published: February 2008

An innovation in container handling and transportation has revolutionised New Zealand. Doug Baker explains the concept of ground level packing and unpacking.
Resource Allocation: Optimisation for Tomorrow's Demand
Authors: Hargreaves John
Published: February 2008

Optimum allocation of resources is today's means of designing a logistic network to deal with tomorrow's demands. Accepting this and in order to ensure that a logistic network is being managed efficiently, it is argued that it is essential to look at what is now achievable, given the advances in computer technology and Artificial Intelligence. The parameters necessary for each market segment in the resource allocation process are defined and the characteristics and problems of data describing the parameters encountered in practice are presented.
Freight Distribution and Transport Systems Planning
Authors: Gabriel Crainic Teodor , Dejax Pierre J.
Published: February 2008

Interactive‐graphic systems and operations research methodologies are increasingly being combined to produce efficient, versatile and powerful tools that enhance the decision‐making process. The possible contribution of such tools to the planning of distribution systems for industrial firms and freight carrier service networks and operations is examined and compared.
How voice and laser can raise distribution efficiency
Authors: Abe Tsutomu , Suzuki Jun
Published: February 2008

One of Japan's largest distribution centres has introduced an automatic sorting system using voice input. The workforce has been halved.
Using the television image to measure size and position
Authors: Baker Richard
Published: February 2008

Hard‐wired analysers can extract position and dimension information from closed circuit television camera images, leading to the automation of both laboratory and industrial measurement.
Sensory gripping system: The software and hardware aspects
Authors: Taylor P.M. , Taylor G.E. , Kemp D.R. , Stein J. , Pugh A.
Published: February 2008

Simple and cost‐effective sensors can increase the industrial applicability of robots. At Hull University software has been developed which is common to all types of sensor and has been written using selected elements of a previously developed macro library.
Six legged walking robot has brains in its legs
Authors: Kessis J.J. , Penne J. , Rambant J.P.
Published: February 2008

Professor Kessis and his colleagues are developing a six‐legged walking robot using distributed control of leg movements.
Rationalization in visual inspection : the task of the eighties
Authors: Melchior Klaus W.
Published: February 2008

The problem of automating visual inspection is considered along with the developments that are likely to occur.
Automated visual inspection of bottles, jars and tumblers
Authors: Batchelor B.G. , Marlow B.K.
Published: February 2008

The automatic visual inspection of glassware is a challenging and potentially rewarding field of study. It is possible to detect a wide range of glassware defects and profiles automatically. This article reviews these possibilities and justifies the view that automated visual inspection systems will be increasingly used in glassware inspection tasks.
Nippy pneumatic robot uses sensory feedback to feed lamination press
Authors: Mital Vijay
Published: February 2008

Brush Electrical Machines has developed a robot load‐unload system which can keep pace with a 150 ton press producing the winding slots in segmental laminations. Photoelectric and inductive sensing are employed to give speed and reliability
Eddy current and ultrasonic sensors for robot arc welding
Authors: Howarth M.P. , Guyote M.F.
Published: February 2008

Eddy current and ultrasonic sensing have potentially large advantages over vision systems for guidance of arc welding, except with very complex geometries. They are simpler, less expensive, and eddy current is immune to fumes from the arc. The authors review work currently in progress at Oxford.
LOGOS II: a two board continuous speech recognition system
Authors: Peckham Jeremy
Published: February 2008

A continuous speech recognition system developed by Logica for JSRU is described in detail.
Laser·based arc welding sensor monitors weld preparation profile
Authors: de Keijzer A. , de Groot R.J.
Published: February 2008

Automation of arc welding jobs is accelerating rapidly now that sensory feedback systems are beginning to become available. However, many of these systems have limited capabilities. A new laser‐based optical profile sensor developed in Holland not only tracks all types of seams but also modifies weld process parameters on the basis of profile information.
Optical techniques for inspection and sensing
Authors: Jones Robert
Published: February 2008

Cambridge Consultants, in the course of its contract design and development work, is making use of a wide variety of optical methods for inspection and sensing. The author here reviews some of the company's recent innovations.
Automated visual inspection of blisters filled with tablets
Authors: Vanderheydt L.
Published: February 2008

This article demonstrates the importance of intelligent measuring systems, particularly computer vision systems for automatic visual inspection.
Developments in synthetic speech
Authors: Green R.W.
Published: February 2008

Voice synthesis is developing well beyond gimmickry to the stage where it must not sound synthetic. The author describes how current development activities are making use of phonetic rules in working towards an unlimited vocabulary with a relatively limited memory storage.
Biosensors
Authors: Owen Valerie M.
Published: February 2008

Biosensors have been described as a synergistic combination of biochemistry and microelectronics.
Laser‐scattering aids inspection and orientation
Authors: Dewhurst R.J. , Swift K.J.
Published: February 2008

Laser‐scattering techniques have aided the correct orientation of mechanical components in automatic assembly. The same techniques can also lend themselves to certain types of inspection.
Investing in technology for the future
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

From a strong foundation in instrumentation, Sira's activities today extend from expert systems to space technology. Richard Brook talks to Sensor Review.
Automated inspection of surface texture
Authors: Weatherall David
Published: February 2008

Researchers at NEL have been examining the inspection of paint textures.
High‐speed inspection with illuminating results
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

An automatic inspection system for motor car instrument panel displays has been developed by Sira for Lucas Electrical Electronics and Systems.
Window on Japanese vision sensing
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Planer Products has just concluded a distribution agreement with Fuji Electric of Japan covering the company's image processing products.
Laser scanning cameras for in‐reactor inspection
Authors: Adrain R.S. , Armour I.A. , Bach J.H.
Published: February 2008

How do engineers inspect the inside of a nuclear reactor? Laser scanning can turn it into a normal television picture.
Modifying Hall Effect sensors to generate digital output
Authors: Wood Trent
Published: February 2008

The Hall Effect sensor is continuing to undergo some ingenious improvements, as a researcher outlines.
Ultrasonic measurement: keeping your distance
Authors: Loughlin Clive
Published: February 2008

In the third of a series of articles on sensors for industrial inspection, non‐contact measurement is reviewed.
Laser radar gets an update
Authors: Frazier Ken
Published: February 2008

What could be a major advance in laser imaging has been developed at Sandia Laboratories in the USA.
Tutorial: colour and colour measurement
Authors: Loughlin Clive
Published: February 2008

Colour is frequently taken for granted, but what do we mean by ‘colour’?
Clinching inspection of electronic circuit boards
Authors: Jolliffe Norman
Published: February 2008

IRI describe techniques that they use for the inspection of populated electronic circuit boards. These require far more than simple ‘golden board’ comparisons.
What are neural networks?
Authors: Pollard Austin
Published: February 2008

Neural networks have been of academic interest for some time, are they now coming of age?
AUTOMATIC GLASS EXAMINATION
Authors: Claridge John F.
Published: February 2008

Introduction Laser‐based inspection systems originated in the late 1960s to automate the inspection task. Applied primarily to defect detection in flat, homogeneous products, these systems gained widespread use in the 1970s and through the 1980s. The bright, coherent light source provided the means to capture a range of defect optical effects including absorption, reflectivity, transmissivity, distortion and scattering. Unfortunately, early laser systems employed extremely inefficient light collection techniques. Much of the defects' optical information was lost. Fifteen to 20 years on, almost all commercial laser systems continue to employ this technology.
TILE INSPECTION – THE RIGHT APPLICATION
Authors: Coulthard Martin
Published: February 2008

Industrial machine vision gained a reputation in the 1980s for being expensive and unreliable. Martin Coulthard of Surface Inspection Ltd discusses how its reputation might be restored by creating effective solutions for the “right” applications, and illustrates this by describing the implementation of an automatic tile inspection system.
VISION KEEPS BOWL FEEDER PARTS IN LINE
Authors: Baird Randy K.
Published: February 2008

Machine vision technology has carried connotations of improved productivity since inception. Industrial‐proofing this concept has proven difficult until recent years. The concept has now begun to show paybacks in the original projections and will only be enhanced in future designs.
TRANSIENT THERMOGRAPHY
Authors: Hobbs Chris
Published: February 2008

When looking at the possible ways of performing quality assurance or evaluation of materials in a non‐destructive manner, thermography rates as one of the key techniques available. This is because it offers several advantages, namely:
SENSOR INTEGRATION — GETTING THE WHOLE PICTURE
Authors: Roth Norbert , Mengel Peter
Published: February 2008

The term “sensor integration” is used with different connotations and can be used on different levels of production. So when talking about sensor integration it should be helpful to distinguish between:
FUSING IMAGE SYNTHESIS AND COMPUTER VISION
Authors: Pellerin Cheryl
Published: February 2008

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne have combined computer graphics and vision techniques in a new tool used to interpret scenes. The Model‐based Vision System (MBVS) proposes a vision system that uses CAD packages to take full advantage of advanced synthetic images and graphic workstation systems.
VEINCHECK LENDS A HAND FOR HIGH SECURITY
Authors: MacGregor Paul , Welford Robert
Published: February 2008

Veincheck is a biometric system which uses back‐of‐hand vein patterns to verify an individual's identity. A biometric system can be loosely defined as a means of verifying an individual's identity by analysis of a physiological feature or a characteristic action. There are a wide variety of biometric systems under development ranging from signature to fingerprint to voice. Biometric systems are often compared on the basis of their False Accept Rates (FAR) and False Reject Rates (FRR). These rates are also referred to as Type 1 and Type 2 errors respectively. The acceptable values and the relative importance for these error rates varies from application to application. It is generally agreed that error rates of much less than 1 per cent are needed before deploying a biometric system for use by the general public.
SENSOR‐GUIDED ASSEMBLY
Authors: Schweigert Uwe
Published: February 2008

Sensors considerably increase the new applications of industrial robots. Assembly utilizations exist in the fields of part loading, the supervision of the gripping and part mating process, and tolerance compensation as well as the testing and checking of the assembly job. A couple of years ago sensor applications in assembly with industrial robots existed only in research laboratories and development institutions. Nowadays, industry cannot refuse to use them. Improvements on sensorics such as faster data processing and lower costs, as well as higher accuracies in measuring and a more favourable rate to price and efficiency, allow sensor guided robots in assembly with technical and economical significance. Assembly systems with industrial robots demand high flexibility, process supervision and control to increase output quality, and require manifold sensor utilizations.
The OCR Dream
Authors: Nangle David
Published: February 2008

For many years the philosophy of machines reading data from paper into computers, known as Optical Character Recognition or OCR, has been regarded by the unenlightened as a dream which will be wonderful when it happens. OCR has, unfortunately, been an insufficiently publicized reality for 25 years.
Sensory Systems for Robot Control
Authors: Wittenberg Günter
Published: February 2008

A symposium on this subject was held at the New Connaught Rooms in London on 21 October 1992. Twelve papers were presented and about 30 delegates attended. All but one of the papers came from a university: Brunei, East London, Ghent in Belgium, Greenwich, Nottingham, Salford, Sheffield and Surrey. The exception was a paper from Advanced Robotics Research Ltd. It was significant, and widely commented on, that the papers were virtually all from academic institutions while the delegates were all from industry. Methods and systems described in the papers were in various stages of development; none was commercially available or in industrial use. In fact, in many cases the objective behind presenting a paper at this symposium was to canvass industrial sponsorship to enable the project to continue or to bring it to market.
Innovative Developments in Smart Sensors
Authors: Edwards Terry
Published: February 2008

Sensors and transducers form the “front‐ends”, without which many modern electronic systems could not function. Such components are implemented extensively in industrial control systems and energy industry installations (e.g. the oil and gas production and distribution industries). They are also essential components within OEM products such as tape recorders and VCRs. In most of these systems digital electronics is pervasive and considerable advantages are obtained where the sensor is provided complete with extensive electronic circuitry.
Non‐contact Speed and Length Measurement
Authors: Hargreaves Mark
Published: February 2008

Datron Messtechnik has been involved with non‐contact sensing for some 20 years ever since the technology was initially devised to measure the speed of molten steel. The technology was then seen by the motor industry for which it has since been developed together with specification requirements from companies like Mercedes Benz, BMW, Jaguar, Austin Rover and has now resulted in a well‐established market. The vehicle manufacturers use the sensor technology to measure true vehicle speed, distance, time, acceleration, height, slip, etc.
Negacoax — Sensing the Hot Spots
Authors: Curdy J.P.
Published: February 2008

New from Philips Thermocoax Division is a mineral insulated cable, Negacoax — an overheating and fire sensing device. Designed for the continuous detection, control and measurement of the highest temperature at any point along the cable. Negacoax offers the ability to monitor constantly the highest temperatures of a system over a period of time.
Tactile Binary Image Identification
Authors: Benhadj R. , Sadeque S. , Dawson B.
Published: February 2008

Recognition of a tactile image independent of position, size and orientation has been a goal of much recent research. Many tasks (e.g. parts identification) often give rise to situations which demand a more generalized methodology than the derivation of a single forward measurement, such as the computation of part area and perimeter from its run‐length‐coding representation. In this situation, an interpretation procedure generally adopts the techniques and methodology of a pattern recognition approach. To achieve maximum utility and flexibility, the methods used should be sensitive to any image change in size, translation and rotation, and should provide good repeatability. The algorithm used in this article generally meets these conditions. The results show that recognition schemes based on these invariants are position, size and orientation independent, and also flexible enough to learn most sets of parts. Assuming that parts can vary only in location, orientation and size, then certain moments are very convenient for normalization. For instance, the first moments of area give the centroid of a part, which is a natural origin of co‐ordinates for translation invariant measurements. Similarly, the eigenvectors of the matrix of second central moments define the directions of principal axes, which leads to rotation moment invariant measurements.
Quality Control Using Noise and Vibration Limit Testing
Authors: Cowling Graham
Published: February 2008

Unwarranted squeaks and rattles in delivered products may be perceived by the customer as an indication of poor quality. Moreover, they may be indicative of component or assembly faults leading to reduced life or unreliable operation.
THE RENTAL VALUATION OF MARKETS: A TENDER PROBLEM
Authors: JOHN BRIGGS L.
Published: February 2008

Although still an important proportion of the total retail outlets in this country, until recently markets have evaded the professional eye of the valuer whether acting for landlord or market trader. Markets are our oldest and original form of retailing; the fact that they still exist today is in itself a measure of the importance with which the shopping public regards them. Many markets are still in the original buildings, often sited in the central shopping area, sites not only of prime interest but of prime value.
THE VALUATION OF VARYING INCOMES: 2
Authors: BOWCOCK PHILIP
Published: February 2008

About 20 years ago it was recognised that an anomaly could arise in the application of the dual rate method of valuation where the income varied during the term, and in subsequent years various methods of modifying the dual rate calculation were proposed, including the Double Sinking Fund Method (A. W. Davidson), and the Annual Equivalent and Sinking Fund Methods (M. J. Greaves). A further alternative, Pannell's method, has also been suggested, but it is not considered here. These three methods give somewhat differing results as demonstrated by Baum and Mackmin,1 since the underlying assumptions are different. These latter authors came to the conclusion that the Double Sinking Fund Method (DSF) in particular could result in a degree of over‐valuation and the purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons for this.
THE SINGLE RATE VALUATION OF LEASEHOLDS
Authors: COLAM MICHAEL
Published: February 2008

The lines ‘… he plays by intuition …he plays by sense of smell …’ are probably an exaggeration when applied to the game of pinball, but they are surely a very important part of most professional men's and women's lives. A teacher should ‘feel’ the difference between a minor ailment and something serious. Similarly, a surveyor or valuer can ‘feel’ or sense the possible decline of a high street before it happens or the improvement of a secondary location. This skill cannot be taught in lectures and by some it cannot be learned by experience, but hopefully for the sake of the future of the profession some or most of us can acquire it to a lesser or greater extent. The gifted ones are the millionaires and I am sure that many of these have never looked inside a set of valuation tables.
THE VALUATION OF WOODLANDS
Authors: LONG H.A.R.
Published: February 2008

Forestry valuations are necessary for many purposes and are required for people of widely varying resources and circumstances. As this paper will show, it is often difficult to value for a client properly without knowing his financial and tax position, his objectives and the purpose for which the valuation has to be made.
THE ALL‐RISKS YIELD: EXPOSING THE IMPLICIT
Authors: BAUM ANDREW
Published: February 2008

The aim of this paper is to examine the degree to which it is possible or practicable to make the analysis and valuation of property investments an explicit exercise. This is in direct contrast to the closed implicit nature of the practice which currently prevails, and which is epitomised by the use of the ‘all‐risks yield’ as a single gauge of the complex relationships of advantages and disadvantages within a particular investment. To what extent can the ‘all‐risks yield’ be purified, and to what extent will comparison with non‐property investments be facilitated as a result?
AN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR VALUATION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
Authors: BOYLE CONALL
Published: February 2008

There has been much discussion in the popular media recently on the topic of Expert Systems (for example the BBC ‘Horizon’ of 21st March, 1983, or the Sunday Times, 1st May, 1983). Expert Systems are ‘computer programs that can acquire knowledge from experts and make it available in the form of advice to those less skilled’ (Landsdown, 1980). Such expert systems are one of the main building blocks of the ‘fifth generation’ computers, which are under development, with massive government encouragement, in Japan.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
Authors: BAILEY JOHN
Published: February 2008

Real estate investment analysis is an organised investigation of the various factors and elements which affect the current and the future value of a particular property and consideration of the relationship of those factors and elements to an investment decision.
THE EXTRA 10%
Authors: CRUSH MICHAEL
Published: February 2008

Existing use rights are important to the surveyor as one of the bases of calculating compensation on compulsory acquisition. Additionally, they are a valuable negotiating tool when attempting to obtain planning permission and may, upon refusal, give a right to compensation themselves. The article looks at the details of the 8th Schedule of the 1981 Planning Act, how to interpret it and its use in practice. Confusion between the 8th Schedule and the General Development Order is addressed, and the recent Peaktop case is placed in context.
THE PORTFOLIO PROBLEM IN THE PROPERTY INVESTMENT CONTEXT
Authors: HARGITAY STEPHEN
Published: February 2008

The traditional approach and methodology can no longer cope effectively with the complexities and problems associated with large scale property investment. The level of sophistication of the analysis of property investments is still much lower than the analysis of investments in other media. There is a need to establish an analytical framework which could facilitate the management of the complex decision making and management problems associated with large property investment portfolios. The principal aim of this paper is to identify and rationalise the property portfolio problem in order to pave the way for the applications of recent developments in investment and portfolio theory. The definition of the general portfolio problem is followed by a comparison of the nature and characteristics of property portfolios and stock market security portfolios. The property portfolio problem is defined as a complex decision making problem requiring effective decision making in three stages: investment policy, selection and portfolio assembly, and finally management and portfolio rationalisation.
POSITIVE VALUATION METHODS: 1
Authors: WOOD ERNEST
Published: February 2008

This is the first of a pair of articles which attempt to clarify and compare the concepts and applications of the two so‐called positive or real value valuation methods. For these purposes these are the methods which use either the Equated Yield (EY) or the Inflation Risk Free Yield (IRFY) as their principal criterion rather than an all‐risks yield (ARY). This paper looks at the origins of these methods and discusses the principles on which valuation methods for investment purposes should be evaluated.
PROPERTY INVESTMENT AND PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT: A REPLY
Authors: BROWN GERALD
Published: February 2008

Understanding the process by which valuations are derived and interpreting that information within the context of performance measurement are two areas which are likely to receive greater attention. They are essentially problems of economics. However, our knowledge of these areas is unlikely to improve unless greater emphasis is placed on empirical research. This paper draws together some well established economic principles with some empirical analysis in an attempt to supply a more meaningful interpretation of property performance.
THE TARGET RETURN ON UK PROPERTY INVESTMENTS
Authors: FRASER WILL
Published: February 2008

It is conventional to assume that property investments in the UK are priced on the basis that investors require a total return approximately 2 per cent above the current redemption yield on long dated gilts. Some yield premium seems intuitively appropriate due to certain apparent disadvantages of property relative to gilts, eg higher risk, poorer liquidity and greater transfer and management costs. However, the purpose of this paper is to illustrate that such apparent demerits are largely illusory, and to promote the view that investors in growth freeholds need require no yield premium, and indeed may justifiably accept a discount on yields available from long dated gilts valued around par.
DUAL RATE DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
Authors: ROBINSON JON
Published: February 2008

Discounted cash flow (DCF), whether by capitalisation or by cash flow analysis, has many detractors because of a number of apparent problems such as the reinvestment assumption and the possibility of multiple rates of return. The capital recovery cum reinvestment aspects of Years' Purchase (YP) factors and DCF are discussed and it is demonstrated that Years' Purchase single rate principle is akin to Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and that Years' Purchase dual rate principle also has a DCF image known as the Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR). The difference between the YP models and the DCF models is to do with the level cash flows assumed in the former and the variability of the cash flows measured in the latter. MIRR was developed as an answer to the above problems and it is demonstrated in a case study in which the fallacy of the apparent problems is also demonstrated. MIRR has a place in the analysis of investment strategy, but IRR (equated yield) is shown to be satisfactory in the financial analysis and comparison of individual projects.