Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

1. Automated Systems and Industrial Applications Standard Grade Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

2. What is an automated System? An Automated system is a system where • the user provides the input • the computer carries out the process defined by the program • the computer then provides the user with the output Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

3. Examples of Automated Systems • Automatic washing machine • Microwave oven • Digital camera • Video recorder • Car manufacture • Bread making • …. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

4. Why use an Automated System? • are faster than humans • can be programmed to do repetitive tasks • are more efficient than humans (can work accurately and continuously with no need for rest/meal breaks). • can be used in dangerous/harmful places • are adaptable – can be reprogrammed to carry out different tasks. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

5. How do they work? • All automated systems are controlled by a program • Most systems use sensors to provide feedback – this allows the program to react to it’s working environment • The motion of an automated system is usually performed by a motor Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

6. Example of feedback Picking up an egg. If the gripper goes too far, it breaks the egg. If the gripper does not go far enough, it doesn’t pick the egg up. If the gripper ”can feel” when it touches the egg, it can pick the egg up every time. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

7. Other examples • Washing machine • Traffic lights • Automatic lifts • Digital cameras (speed/aperture settings and focus) • ….. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

8. Sensors • Pressure • Heat • Light • Magnetic • Infrared • ……. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

9. Robots • Robots can be stationary or mobile • The direction of the movement of a mobile robot can be controlled by magnetic or lightguides Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

10. Robot parts • Some robot parts resemble human limbs. • Their components are called : • Waist, Shoulder, Arm, Elbow, Wrist • The end of a robot arm can have a tool attached to do certain tasks: • gripper, spray can, suction cup, … Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

11. More Robots • Guided robots (autonomous guided vehicles - AGV) • autonomous – works on it’s own • types of guides/sensors • Remotely operated vehicles - ROV • E.g. bomb disposal, deep sea vehicle • Intelligent robot • Incorporates an expert system. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

12. The Interface Automated systems work in the real world performing real tasks that have to be linked in some way to a computer system. The meeting point between a computer and something or (someone) outside of it is called the interface. The biggest problem the interface has to cope with is the difference between two types of signal - analogue and digital Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

13. Analogue An analogue signal is one which is continuouslyvariable between two limits. That means it can have any value (within limits) at any time. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

14. Digital An digital signal is one which is changes in discretesteps between two limits. That means it can only have certain values at certain times. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

15. Analogue/Digital Conversion • The big problem is the real world is essentially analogue and computers work digitally. So we need to convert • from analogue to digital • to get data into the computer. • from digital to analogue • to get information out of the computer. • This is one of the tasks carried out by the interface Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

16. Programs • Automated systems are controlled by programs. • A program is usually a list of instructions. • The program can be in • A high level language • A control language • The program can be • held in ROM • part of an embedded system • The program will work in real time. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

17. Programming Programs can be entered • through the keyboard • by lead-through programming, sometimes called programming by example. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

18. Simulation Simulation • a computer version of a real-life situation • use of a computer-based model to predict the behaviour of a system. • a representation of a situation or problem with a similar but simpler model or a more easily manipulated model in order to determine experimental results. Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

19. Examples of simulation • flying a plane • driving a car • designing an office block • designing a bridge • weather prediction • … Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

20. 3D modelling and Virtual Reality • 3D modelling • A 3-dimensional representation on a computer screen • Virtual reality • A 3-dimensional representation in which the user is immersed. Usually involves the use of headsets, gloves, … Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

21. CAD/CAM The use of CAD and CAM is very important in industry • CAD - Computer Aided Design • CAM - Computer Aided Manufacture Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

22. Technical (safety) implications • Must make sure moving parts of machines are covered • Sensors fitted to robots to avoid collisions • Robots/vehicles programmed to move about slowly so workers are not injured • Robots programmed to work only when in position Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

23. Workplace implications In cases of industrial automation we must consider: • design of workplace • modern factory • need for systems analysis Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

24. Social implications • Loss of those jobs where computers can do tasks faster and cheaper • Re-training of staff • People’s skills will change • More leisure time for society • More people will work from home with increased use of networks Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

25. Economic implications • High initial cost • System analysis • design of workplace • hardware • software • Training • Replacement costs • Long term savings • no wages or facilities to be supplied • increased productivity Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications

26. Automated Systems and Industrial Applications End of presentation Standard Grade Standard Grade Automated Systems and Industrial Applications