Section M1/ME 356 / Robotics in Manufacturing/ Assignment-I

Date: 29.07.2024 Due date: 06.08.2024

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 Refer to the definition of the word “Automation” and “Mechanization” and answer for Q.1

Q.1: Why does an automated system achieve superior performance compared to a manual one?

 T1: Control is a set of technologies that achieves desired patterns of variations of operational
parameters and sequences for machines and systems by providing the input signals necessary.
 T2: The control systems are to ensure that outputs follow the set points. However, automated systems
may have much more functionality like computing set points for control systems, monitoring system
performance etc.

Read and understand the above text (T1 & T2) using internet search engine/books and answer for Q.2

Q.2: Can you give an example of an automated system (installed in Mechanical Engineering. Labs), which
contains a control system as a part of it?

 T3: Major industrial processes can be categorized as follows based on their scale and scope of
production > Continuous flow process, Mass Manufacturing of Discrete Products, Batch Production,
Job shop Production
 T4: Automation systems can be categorized based on the flexibility and level of integration in
manufacturing process operations. Various automation systems can be classified as follows; Fixed
Automation, Programmable Automation, Flexible Automation, Integrated/Intelligent Automation

Read and understand the above text (T1, T2, T3 & T4) using internet search engine/books and answer
for Q.3 & Q.4

Q.3: Write the circumstances/situations in which fixed automation and flexible automation shall be
appropriate in the industries.

Q.4: During a technical visit to an industry how can you identify the type of automation prevailing there
from among the above types?

Q.5: What kind of automation would you recommend for manufacturing of the followings?

a. Light bulbs; b. Garments; c. Textile; d. Cement; e. Printing; f. Pharmaceuticals; g. Toys

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 P1

P2

P5 P3
P4
P6

P7

P8

Study the above given construction of a robotic arm and accordingly answer the following questions

Q.6: Write name of the parts indicated by P1, P2, P3(B), P4, P5(A), P6, P7 & P8.

Q.7: Robotic arm movement type is _________________ [Choose any one option > a) Planer, b) Spatial]

Q.8: Both the letter L1 & L2 indicates ______________________

[For Q.8, choose any one option > a) Link parameters those are fixed,
b) Link parameters those are variable,
c) Joint parameters those are fixed,
d) Joint parameters those are variable]

Q.9: (xe, ye) denotes __________

________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject Teacher: Pradeep K Soni
 Solution of Assignment I

Q.1: Why does an automated system achieve superior performance compared to a manual one?

Definition: Automation is a set of technologies that results in operation of machines and systems without significant
human intervention and achieves performance superior to manual operation
A Definition from Encyclopaedia Britannica: The application of machines to tasks once performed by human beings or,
increasingly, to tasks that would otherwise be impossible. Although the term mechanization is often used to refer to the
simple replacement of human labor by machines, automation generally implies the integration of machines into a self-
governing system.
Ans: Because such systems can have more precision, more energy and more speed of operation than possible manually.
Moreover using computing techniques, much more sophisticated and efficient operational solutions can be derived and
applied in real-time.
Q.2: Can you give an example of an automated system, which contains a control system as a part of it?

Ans: Many examples can be given. One of these is the following:

In an industrial CNC machine, the motion control of the spindle, the tool holder and the job table are controlled by a
position and speed control system, which, in fact, uses a separate processor. Another processor is used to manage the
other automation aspects. Another example is that of A pick and place automated robot is used in many industrial
assembly shops. The robot motion can be programmed using a high level interface. The motion of the robot is controlled
using position control systems driving the various joints in the robotic manipulator.
Q.3: Fixed automation is appropriate in the following circumstances.

A. Low variability in product type as also in size, shape, part count and material B. Predictable and stable demand for 2-
to 5-year time period, so that manufacturing capacity requirement is also stable C. High production volume desired per
unit time D. Significant cost pressures due to competitive market conditions. So automation systems should be tuned to
perform optimally for the particular product.
Flexible automation, on the other hand is used in the following situations.
A. Significant variability in product type. Product mix requires a combination of different parts and products to be
manufactured from the same production system B. Product life cycles are short. Frequent upgradation and design
modifications alter production requirements C. Production volumes are moderate, and demand is not as predictable
Q.4: During a technical visit to an industry how can you identify the type of automation prevailing there from among
the above types?

Ans: Check for the following. ♦ Whether automatic control exists for majority the equipment ♦ Whether supervisory
control is manual, partially automated or largely automated ♦ Whether operator interfaces are computer integrated or
not. ♦ Whether communication with individual control units can be done from supervisory interfaces through computers
or not ♦ Whether any information network exists, to which automation system and controllers are connected ♦ Product
variety, product volumes, batch sizes etc. ♦ Whether the material handling systems are automated and if so to what
extent.

Q.5: What kind of automation would you recommend for manufacturing in the industries?

a. Light bulbs Ans: Fixed; b. Garments Ans: Flexible; c. Textile Ans: Programmable; d. Cement Ans: Programmable

e. Printing Ans: Flexible; f. Pharmaceuticals Ans: Flexible; g. Toys Ans: Flexible

Solution:

Q.6: Write name of the parts indicated by P1, P2, P3 (B), P4, P5, P6, P7 & P8.

Ans: P1 > End effector or gripper; P2> Link 2; P3> Revolute Joint 2; P4> Link 2; P5 > Link 2

P6 > Prismatic/linear joint; P7> Revolute joint 1; P8> Link 0

Q.7: Robotic arm movement type is PLAN

LANER [Choose any one option > a) Planer, b) Spatial]

Q.8: Both the letter L1 & L2 indicates) Link parameters those are fixed

[For Q.8, choose any one option > a) Link parameters those are fixed,
b) Link parameters those are variable,
c) Joint parameters those are fixed,
d) Joint parameters those are variable]

Q.9: (xe, ye) denotes Tool centre point coordinates

________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Subject Teacher: Pradeep K Soni