ROBOTICS

INTRODUCTION

Robots are devices that are programmed to move parts, or to do work with a tool. Robotics is a
multidisciplinary engineering field dedicated to the development of autonomous devices,
including manipulators and mobile vehicles. Robotics develop man-made mechanical devices
that can move by themselves, whose motion must be modeled, planned, sensed, actuated and
controlled, and whose motion behavior can be influenced by “programming”. Robots are called
“intelligent” if they succeed in moving in safe interaction with an unstructured environment,
while autonomously achieving their specified tasks.

Characteristics of a robot

1) A robot must be produced by manufacture rather than by biology.

2) It must be able to move physical objects or be mobile itself.

3) It must be a power or force source or amplifier.

4) It must be capable of some sustained action without intervention by an external agent.

5) It must be able to modify its behavior in response to sensed properties of its environment, and
therefore must be equipped with sensors.

Definitions of 'robot' and 'robotics'

The term 'robotics' was coined by Isaac Asimov in about 1940. An example is that of the Robot
Institute of America (RIA):

“A robot is a reprogrammable and multifunctional manipulator, devised for the transport of

materials, parts, tools or specialized systems, with varied and programmed movements, with the
aim of carrying out varied tasks.

 A machine that resembles a living creature in being capable of moving independently (as
by walking or rolling on wheels) and performing complex actions (such as grasping and
moving objects)
 A robot is a machine-especially one programmable by a computer—capable of carrying
out a complex series of actions automatically.
Components of Robot

The anatomy of robot is also known as structure of robot. Robots typically include key
components such as sensors, actuators, a control system, and sometimes an end effector,
enabling them to perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously.

The various components of robots are:

1. Manipulator:

o A robot's manipulator is similar to the human arm, consisting of multiple joints and links.
o It provides flexibility and movement to the robot, allowing it to perform various tasks.
o Just as the human arm can bend and reach, the manipulator's joints and links enable the
robot to reach different positions and orientations.

2. End effector:

o The end effector is located at the free end of the robot's manipulator.
o It serves a function similar to the human hand and fingers, allowing the robot to interact
with its environment.
o The end effector performs tasks like gripping, picking up objects, or performing precise
actions.

3. Locomotion Device:

o While humans rely on muscles for arm and hand movement, robots use motors for
locomotion.
o These motors provide the power needed for the robot's movement, and they come in
various types, including electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic.
 o The choice of motor type depends on the robot's design and intended application.

4. Controller:

o The controller in a robot is analogous to the human brain, directing its actions.
o It consists of both hardware and software components that enable the robot to carry out
assigned tasks.
o The controller coordinates and controls the movements of the manipulator, end effector,
and other components, making the robot perform specific functions.

5. Sensors:

o Sensors are vital components of a robot, serving as its "sense organs."

o They provide data and feedback to the robot's controller, allowing it to perceive its
environment.
o Sensors measure various quantities such as position, velocity, force, torque,
proximity, temperature, and more.
o This sensory input enables the robot to make informed decisions and adapt to changing
conditions while executing tasks.

Need of Robot and its Application

Industrial Applications

Industrial robots are used to assemble the vehicle parts. As the assembly of the machine parts is
a repetitive task to be performed, the robots are conveniently used instead of using mankind
(which is more costly and less précised compared to robots.)
Auto Industry:

The auto industry is the largest users of robots, which automate the production of various
components and then help, assemble them on the finished vehicle. Car production is the primary
example of the employment of large and complex robots for producing products. Robots are used
in that process for the painting, welding and assembly of the cars.

Material Transfer, Machine Loading And Unloading

There are many robot applications in which the robot is required to move a work part or other
material from one location to another. The most basic of these applications is where the robot
picks the part up from one position and transfers it to another position. In other applications, the
robot is used to load and/or unload a production machine of some type. The machine loading and
unloading applications are material handling operations in which the robot is used to service a
production machine by transferring parts to and/or from the machine.

Robotic arm

The most developed robot in practical use today is the robotic arm and it is seen in applications
throughout the world. We use robotic arms to carry out dangerous work such as when dealing
with hazardous materials. We use robotic arms to carry out work in outer space where man
cannot survive and we use robotic arms to do work in the medical field such as conducting
experiments without exposing the research.

Medical Applications

Medical robotics is a growing field and regulatory approval has been granted for the use of
robots in minimally invasive procedures. Robots are being used in performing highly delicate,
accurate surgery, or to allow a surgeon who is located remotely from their patient to perform a
procedure using a robot controlled remotely. More recently, robots can be used autonomously in
surgery.
 Connections between robotics and some related subjects
From a scientific or philosophical point of view the most interesting area of the AI -robotics
interaction lies in the possibilities for making robots which are more like those of science fiction,
i.e. mobile intelligent autonomous agents. In terms of the practical robotics of today and the
immediate future, however, the relevance of AI is mainly that it provides, or promises to provide,
a number of useful techniques for enhancing performance. The general theme of these is making
robots more intelligent, in a down to earth sense, by incorporating adaptability, sensing, problem
solving and so on. There is also an opposite connection: robots for AI instead of AI for robotics;
robots can be useful tools for developing AI techniques.
The most obvious example of robots for households using AI is Amazon’s upcoming Astro bot.

Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)

A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is a coordinated set of machine tools and their loading
devices (often robots), which can produce a range of items. It implies that there is a
communications network associated with the machines so that they can be programmed, while
the system is running, with the settings for each item to be made.

The reason the FMS is called flexible is that it is capable of processing a variety of different part
styles simultaneously at the various workstations, and the mix of part styles and quantities of
production can be adjusted in response to changing demand patterns.

Other names for flexible manufacturing systems include: computer integrated manufacturing
systern (CIMS), computer managed parts manufacturing (CMPM)

Need of FMS due to its benefits

Increased machine utilization.

Fewer machines required because of higher machine utilization.
Greater responsiveness to change.
Reduced inventory requirements
Lower manufacturing lead times.
Reduced direct labor
What is CAM?

CAM is the acronym for Computer Aided Manufacturing. In simple terms - using the computers
to carry out various manufacturing related activities is called as Computer Aided Manufacturing.
The use of the computers can be to plan the manufacturing of the product, to carry out actual
manufacturing of the product by linking the computers to machines and programming the
computers etc.

Functions Performed by CAM

The functions performed by the computer systems in CAM applications fall under two broad
categories, which have been described below:

1. Computer monitoring and control:

In these applications the computer is connected directly to the manufacturing process for the
purpose of monitoring or controlling the manufacturing process.

2. Manufacturing Support Applications:

In these applications the computer systems are used to assist in various productions related
activities like production planning, scheduling, making forecasts, giving manufacturing
instructions and other relevant information that can help manage company’s manufacturing
resources more effectively. There is no direct interface between the computers and the
manufacturing process in this case.

Advantages of CAM

➢ Manufacturing requires minimum supervision and can be accomplished

during unsocial work hours.
➢ Manufacture is less labour intensive and saves labour cost.
➢ Machines are accurate, and manufacturing can be repeated consistently
with large batches.
➢ Error occurrence is negligible, and machines can run continuously.
➢ Prototype models can be prepared very speedily for elaborated inspection
before finalizing designs for manufacture.
➢ Virtual machining can be used to evaluate machining routines and
outcomes on the screen.

Disadvantages of CAM

➢ It requires high initial investment and start-up cost.

➢ Machine maintenance is also costly.
➢ May result in loss of a workforce with high-level manual skill.
➢ To assure proper tooling and set up procedures it needs highly trained
operatives and technicians

AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS

Automation or automatic control, is the use of various control systems for operating equipment
such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers and heat treating ovens, switching in telephone
networks, steering and stabilization of ships, aircraft and other applications with minimal or
reduced human intervention. Some processes have been completely automated.

The biggest benefit of automation is that it saves labor, however, it is also used to save energy
and materials and to improve quality, accuracy and precision.
Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
electrical, and electronic and computers, usually in combination. Complicated systems, such as
modern factories, airplanes and ships typically use all these combined techniques.

The main advantages of automation are:

•Increased throughput or productivity.

•Improved quality or increased predictability of quality.

•Improved robustness (consistency), of processes or product.

•Increased consistency of output.

•Reduced direct human labor costs and expenses.

The main disadvantages of automation are:

•Causing unemployment and poverty by replacing human labor.

•Unpredictable/excessive development costs: The research and development cost of automating a

process may exceed the cost saved by the automation itself.

•High initial cost: The automation of a new product or plant typically requires a very large initial
investment