Robots and cars ca

Watch the Dancing robots

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_0I4nr4u3A

Computer controlled robotsBy the end of this presentation you should be able to answer the

following questions:

How do robots work?How are robots used in car manufacturing?What are the advantages of using robots

rather than humans?

Task: What is a human made of?

1. A body structure 2. A muscle system to move the

body structure 3. A sensory system that

receives information about the body and the surrounding environment

4. A power source to activate the muscles and sensors

5. A brain system that processes sensory information and tells the muscles what to do

Robot components:

1. A movable physical structure2. An electric motor 3. Sensors4. A power supply 5. A computer "brain" that controls

all of these elements.

Robots are machines thatreplicate human and animalbehavior.

Robots in a car factoryAre ROBOT ARMSand not completerobots

BUT it will still have:

• A movable physical structure

• An actuator in the form of an electric motor

• A sensor system• A power supply • A computer

"brain" that controls all of these elements.

How are the robots controlled?By an Actuator:• In the form of an electric motors. These are responsible for almost

every mechanical movement that you see around you and is caused by an AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) electric motor.

• Car robots – use a DC electric motor which spins quickly or a stepper motor which moves in minute steps and is easier to control by computer

• The robot uses motion sensors to make sure it moves just the right amount and pressure sensors to make sure that car parts are put together tightly enough.

By a Computer:• These control the movement of the arm• Depending on the end effector, the arm will move in a different way

to carry out each job

Task: What jobs does a car robot carry out?

• Painting• Drilling• Tightening

screws/bolts• Pick objects up

and place elsewhere

• Weld objects together

• Check the work is complete

Types of End effectors

The arm can have the following end effectors attached to carry out different jobs:

1. Cameras – to inspect work2. Welding guns – to weld car parts together3. Grippers – To pick up parts (motion sensors are used to monitor the robots moves

the correct amount and pressure sensors are used to work out how hard/soft to grip an object) and place elsewhere e.g. engine/ body part

4. Vacuum cups – to pick up objects without obstruction e.g. glass windscreen/windows

5. Drills – to make holes6. Screwdrivers/spanners – to tighten screws/bolts (pressure sensors are used to

check they are tighten)7. Spray guns – to paint the car8. Polishers/finishers/sanders – to give the car a shiny finish

Watch the car robots in action on the OLC>Unit 2>Control

How to program a robot arm?

• The programmer will guide the arm through each step physically or by using a remote control.

• Sensors are attached to the arms and these collect the data about each step and transmit it back to the computer

• The computer will store the sequence of steps/movements as a program and this can then be repeated over and over….

What are the advantages of using robots in car

manufacture?

• A robotic arm has greater accuracy than a human• Running costs are lower compared to paying a

salary• Robotic arms do not get tired, so work is of a

consistent standard• Robotic arms do not need a break, so work is

continuous

Vocabulary

• Actuator: a mechanism that puts something into automatic action

• Automation: Made automatic; Done by machine. Employing machines to do the work of people

Example exam questions

1. Describe the steps taken to programme a robot arm

2. Name 4 end effectors used in a car factory and describe what they are used for

3. How are sensors used in an end effector?

4. What are the advantages of using a robot in a car factory?

Control system Exam question

• A computer company uses robots in their assembly line however because there could be a danger of the robots overheating the company wants to introduce a computerised air conditioning system. Describe how this system would work.

• Marks 3

Answer

• Sensors are needed to monitor temperature (continuously)

• Microprocessor compares the temperature with a preset value/range

• Depending on result microprocessor causes the fan motor to speed up or slow down/fan motor switched on or off