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; cyber security issues and mitigation strategies.
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.(C3, M3, C13, M13)
- Locate the sources of positional error and calculate the possible positional error in an application.(C1, M1, C2, M2)
- Analyse safety hazards or formulate a safety system for a given automation application. (C5, M5, C13, M13)
- Select and apply appropriate sensors and/or machine vision to a given application and set up a machine vision system. (C13, M13)
- Consolidate cyber security solutions for automation and control systems. (C10, M10)
Indicative reading list
"An Introduction to Robotics Analysis, Systems, Applications", Niku, S.B, 2019, 978111952760-2, TJ211.N547
"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 | 13 sessions of 1 hour (9%) |
| Other activity | 16 hours (11%) |
| Private study | 121 hours (81%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
121 hrs guided independent learning with blended learning and online resources.
Other activity description
Up to 12 hours Robot Programming and Machine Vision Surgeries drop-in in a computer room
1 hour Machine Vision Laboratory
3 hours of in-class tests.
Costs
| Category | Description | Funded by | Cost to student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment and project costs |
Purchase/borrow a USB memory stick/flash drive for transferring 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 A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| Moodle Test: Robot & Machine Vision Laboratory Exercise | 30% | No | |
Reassessment component |
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| Robot & Machine Vision Laboratory Portfolio | No | ||
|
Inclusion of work undertaken for preparation of Robot & Machine Vision Laboratory, which could include screen shots of work using dedicated software and comments on results./outcomes. |
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Assessment component |
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| In-class Moodle Quiz of Module | 70% | No | |
|
2 hour Moodle Quiz to be scheduled in same time slots. Essay questions on video case studies as well multiple choice and numerical calculation questions. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on Moodle assessment of Robot & Machine Vision Laboratory Exercise via individual emails giving written feedback for each response.
Cohort level feedback on final assessment of In-class Moodle Quiz of Module
Courses
This module is Core for:
- 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 4 of UESA-HH34 BEng Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-HH76 MEng Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
-
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
-
UESA-HH31 MEng Systems Engineering
- Year 3 of HH31 Systems Engineering
- Year 3 of HH35 Systems Engineering
-
UESA-HH32 MEng Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of HH32 Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of HH32 Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UESA-H335 BEng Automotive Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-H334 BEng Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H161 BEng Biomedical Systems Engineering
- Year 3 of UESA-H63W BEng Electronic Engineering
- Year 3 of UESA-H63V BEng Electronic Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H113 BEng Engineering
- Year 4 of UESA-H111 BEng Engineering with Intercalated Year
-
UESA-H112 BSc Engineering
- Year 3 of H112 Engineering
- Year 3 of H112 Engineering
- Year 3 of UESA-H336 MEng Automotive Engineering
-
UESA-H337 MEng Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of H337 Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of H337 Automotive Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H163 MEng Biomedical Systems Engineering
-
UESA-H164 MEng Biomedical Systems Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of H164 Biomedical Systems Engineering MEng with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of H164 Biomedical Systems Engineering MEng with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H63X MEng Electronic Engineering
-
UESA-H63Y MEng Electronic Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of H63Y Electronic Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of H63Y Electronic Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UESA-H114 MEng Engineering
-
UESA-H115 MEng Engineering with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of H115 Engineering with Intercalated Year MEng
- Year 4 of H115 Engineering with Intercalated Year MEng
- UESA-H162
This module is Core option list A for:
- Year 3 of UESA-HN15 BEng Engineering Business Management
- Year 4 of UESA-HN13 BEng Engineering Business Management with Intercalated Year