ES372-15 Automation and Robotics
Introductory description
ES372-15 Automation and Robotics
Module aims
The module provides an understanding of the principles of operation of automated equipment with particular reference to industrial robots. It focuses on the knowledge needed to select and use such equipment effectively and safely. However, some design aspects will be presented. There is an emphasis on the use of sensors to make robots behave "intelligently".
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Introduction to automation and robotics: Fiction and history from Leonardo da Vinci onwards; Classification of robots; Fixed and flexible automation; High speed automation. Social and economic aspects; Safety issues and risk assessment;.
Machine design: Degrees of freedom; Actuators and power transmission; End effector design; Robot accuracy.
Machine control: Servomechanisms; PLC’s and fieldbus; Robot Kinematic analysis.
Sensors and Machine vision: Transducers, tactile and proximity sensors; Vision - image analysis, cameras, optics, lighting and applications.
Robot programming and languages: Methods of programming; Teach mode, off line, and graphical simulation. Languages, e.g. ABB RAPID, ABB RobotStudio.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Appraise the impact of automation (benefits and disadvantages), both economic and social, on modern industry.
- Evaluate the different mechanical configurations available for a modern industrial robot and argue if a task is appropriate for that configuration.
- Program an industrial robot off-line using kinematic simulation software to perform a specified task.
- Locate the sources of positional error and calculate the possible positional error in an application.
- Analyse safety hazards or formulate a safety system for a given automation application.
- Select and apply appropriate sensors and/or machine vision to a given application and set up a machine vision system.
- Analyse complex robot kinematic theory and devise kinematic calculations for a given case study.
Indicative reading list
"An Introduction to Robotics Analysis, Systems, Applications", Niku, S.B, 2010, 9780470604465, TJ 211.N4
"Implementation of Robotic Systems", Wilson, Mike, 2014, 9780124047334, EBOOK/ TS191.8.W55
"Introduction to robotics : mechanics and control", Craig, J. J, 2013, 9781292040042, TJ 211.C7
“Robotics: A Very Short Introduction”, Winfield, Alan, 2012, 9780199695980, TJ211.W56
“Principles of Modern Manufacturing” Groover, Mikell P., 2013 9781118474204, TS183.G763
Subject specific skills
Knowledge and understanding of risk issues, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk, risk assessment and risk management techniques and an ability to evaluate commercial risk
Ability to be risk, cost and value-conscious, and aware of their ethical, social, cultural, environmental, health and safety, and wider professional engineering responsibilities
Ability to apply relevant practical and laboratory skills
Ability to conceive, make and realise a component, product, system or process
Transferable skills
Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions
Appreciation of the global dimensions of engineering, commerce and communication
Awareness of the nature of business and enterprise in the creation of economic and social value
Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 26 sessions of 1 hour (17%) |
| Other activity | 14 hours (9%) |
| Private study | 110 hours (73%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
109.5 hrs guided independent learning
Other activity description
Up to 5 hours Robot Programming Surgeries drop-in in a computer room
Up to 7 hours Machine Vision Surgeries drop-in in a computer room
1.5 hour Machine Vision Laboratory
Up to 1 hour Robot Programming Laboratory (length dependant on how many attempts are needed to achieve successful program).
Costs
| Category | Description | Funded by | Cost to student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment and project costs |
Purchase/borrow a USB memory stick/flash drive for transfering programs to a robot |
Student | £4.00 |
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group D5
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Test: Robot & Machine Vision Laboratory Exercise | 30% | No | |
| Online Examination | 70% | No | |
|
2 * 1 hour QMP online examination to be scheduled in same time slot with short break in between ~Platforms - AEP,QMP
|
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback on online assessments is via individual emails giving written feedback for each response.
Cohort level feedback on examinations
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 3 of UESA-H335 BEng Automotive Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-H334 BEng Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-HH73 BEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
- Year 3 of UESA-HH75 BEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-HH74 BEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-HH35 BEng Systems Engineering
- Year 3 of UESA-HH36 BEng Systems Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-HH34 BEng Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H336 MEng Automotive Engineering
- Year 3 of UESA-HH76 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
-
UESA-HH38 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of HH38 Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year MEng
- Year 4 of HH38 Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year MEng
-
UESA-HH31 MEng Systems Engineering
- Year 3 of HH31 Systems Engineering
- Year 3 of HH35 Systems Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-HH32 MEng Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 4 of UESA-H334 BEng Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of UESA-H337 MEng Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H115 MEng Engineering with Intercalated Year
-
UESA-HH38 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of HH38 Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year MEng
- Year 4 of HH38 Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year MEng
-
UESA-HH77 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of HH77 Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering MEng with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of HH77 Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering MEng with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of UESA-HH32 MEng Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H11L Undergradaute Engineering (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UESA-H113 BEng Engineering
- Year 3 of UESA-H114 MEng Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-H115 MEng Engineering with Intercalated Year
-
UESA-H11L Undergradaute Engineering (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 3 of H11L Engineering (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of H11L Engineering (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 4 of UESA-H111 BEng Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H112 BSc Engineering
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 3 of UESA-HN12 BEng Engineering Business Management
- Year 3 of UESA-HN15 BEng Engineering Business Management
- Year 4 of UESA-HN13 BEng Engineering Business Management with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UCSA-G406 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering
- Year 3 of UCSA-G408 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering
- Year 4 of UCSA-G407 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of UCSA-G409 Undergraduate Computer Systems Engineering (with Intercalated Year)