1. Automated Systems

2. What is an Automated System
Typically automated systems have an
Input
Process
Output

3. What is an Automated System
The input may be manual or automatic
The process will be carried out by the machine
Finally the output is produced

4. Examples of Automated Systems
In the home
Toasters
DVD players
Washing machines
Central heating controls

5. Examples of Automated Systems
Out and about
Traffic lights
Automatic doors
Drinks vending machine
Parking ticket dispensers

6. Examples of Automated Systems
In the work place
CNC lathes
Robot arms
Mobile robots
watch a clip of an automated system

7. Why use automated systems
S A F F E R
Safety
Accuracy
Faster
Flexibility
Efficiency
Repetition

8. Safety Dangerous or unhealthy tasks are carried out by machines
Spray painting cars
Working with toxic chemicals
Operating in dangerous environments

9. Accuracy Automated systems are more accurate than human beings
They do not get tired
They do not get bored
They do not lose their concentration

10. Faster
Automated systems can work faster than human beings

11. Flexibility Automated systems can be very flexible in what they can do
Robots are reprogrammable
Robots can have their end effectors changed to do new tasks

12. Efficiency
Automated systems are more efficient than human beings because:
They work 24 hrs a day without breaks
365 days a year without holidays
Are never sick, do not strike and never ask for a pay rise once they are purchased

13. Repetition Lots of tasks carried out in factories are very repetitive
These are best carried out by programmable machines that will continually repeat actions over and over again without deviation

14. Why use automated systems
S A F F E R
Safety
Accuracy
Faster
Flexibility
Efficiency
Repetition

15. Types of control
Open loop control system gives out control information
Output
Control computer
Instructions

16. Types of control This does not involve feedback Open Loop Diagram
Control computer
Instructions
Output

17. Types of control
Closed loop control system uses feedback from a sensor
Output
Control computer
Instructions
Sensor provides feedback
Traffic sensor

18. Closed Loop Diagram Control Computer control information output sensor
feedback
Watch a video clip

19. Types of control
The sensor provides information to the control computer. This is called feedback.
The control computer can (not will) alter the instructions to the output device.
Closed Loop Diagram
decision
control information
output
feedback
sensor

20. Types of control The difference between open and closed loop control
An open loop system carries on regardless no matter what the circumstances
A closed loop system uses feedback to alter the control information
Watch a video clip

21. Robotics Two types of robots Stationary (Robot arms) Mobile
watch a video clip

22. The anatomy of stationary robots
This could be drawn like this
Wrist
Elbow
Shoulder
Waist
End Effector
waist
shoulder
elbow
end
effector
wrist
watch a video clip

23. Robots

24. Stationary Robots End Effectors can be of various types: Gripper
Suction cup
Paint spray
Welding electrode
Watch a video clip

25. Mobile Robots
Autonomous guided vehicles
Remote controlled vehicles

26. Autonomous guided vehicles
AGV keep the production line in parts by fetching and carrying them from the warehouse to the assembly line

27. Autonomous guided vehicles
AGV travel using:
a magnetic guidance system
a light guidance system

28. Autonomous guided vehicles
All AGV will be fitted with sensors to detect unexpected objects in their path
AGV will stop immediately if something is detected
Communication with the control computer will be in real time

29. Remote controlled vehicles
RCV are used in places where it is not safe for humans to go and are used in:
Bomb disposal
Nuclear power stations
Toxic areas
Deep sea exploration

30. Remote controlled vehicles
RCV will be fitted with a variety of sensors and may include robot arms
RCV are usually guided by a human using an optical sensor (camera)

31. Robots
Each movable part of a robot is powered by an actuator which can be:
Electrical
Hydraulic (liquid pressure)
Pneumatic (air pressure)

32. Robot arm movement
One of the most important specifications of a robot arm is the number of degrees of freedom it has
The number of ways the arm can move its movable joints

33. Robot arm movement The human arm
The wrist can move up and down and left to right - two degrees of freedom
The elbow moves in one plane only but the forearm can cross over- two degrees of freedom
The shoulder can move in three planes and up and down – four degrees of freedom

34. Robot arm movement
The robot arm has also got a waist which allows left to right movement – one degree of freedom
waist

35. Degrees of freedom
This is a measure of the number of movements which the joints can move.
This example has 6 degrees of freedom
Rotates base of arm
Pivots base of arm
Bends elbow
Moves wrist up and down
Moves wrist left and right
Rotates wrist

36. Robot arm movement
The terms roll, pitch and yaw are used to describe different types of movement
Yaw is movement from side to side
Pitch is up and down motion
Roll is rotation

37. Robots
Robots are connected to a computer by a device known as an interface
An interface allows analogue and digital devices to communicate with each other

38. Interface- Analogue to Digital
Analogue signal
Digital signal
Sensors provide analogue data
Interface
Computers use only digital data

39. Interfaces Analogue and digital conversion
Movement and sensor readings are analogue - a variable signal
Computers are digital 0’s and 1’s
Conversion must take place

40. Interfaces
A to D converters change the continuously varying analogue signal to digital
D to A converters allow the computer to send instructions to analogue devices

41. Transducers + Digitisers
A transducer is a device which changes external physical input into an analogue signal e.g. temperature sensors
A digitiser converts a visual image from a video or television camera into a digital form

42. Programming robots
Can be reprogrammed to do different tasks there are two ways to instruct a robot:
Using a high level language – a control language (this is done remotely)
Lead through method
watch a video clip

43. Mobile robots
Mobile robots may not be in contact with a control computer
They will have control programs which are stored on ROM chips (Read Only Memory)

44. Simulators
Simulators a developed to realistically recreate a real life situation
These can be a model of a real life situation, testing a car or walking through a new building
Or used for training – flying a plane or driving a car
video

45. Simulators

46. Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality is a method of producing the outside world digitally
VR may require the user to wear a headset, which will have earphones and goggles and data gloves to input
Users respond to computer generated graphics called Avatars
Video

47. Virtual Reality

48. Implications of Automated Systems
Social implications
Job losses- less workers needed
Job security
New jobs- maintenance of A.S.
New skills- programming

49. A systems analyst will also detail the design and layout of the factory
System Analysis
A systems analyst will determine what processes can be automated
What machines will be best suited
What computer systems and software are needed

50. Implications of Automated Systems
Maintenance, testing and reprogramming of robot arm can be carried out on site

51. Implications of Automated Systems
Technical implications – Safety
People and machines kept apart as much a possible
Special design or layout of factory
Safety barriers and robot only paths

52. Implications of Automated Systems
A typical automated car factory. Notice that there are no people about.

53. Implications of Automated Systems
Technical implications – Safety
Moving parts of machines covered
Mobile robots move slowly and are fitted with sensors to detect obstacles
Robots only carry out tasks when component is in position e.g. painting when car is in position

54. Implications of Automated Systems
A factory layout for an automated system

55. Implications of Automated Systems
Quality control
Using automated systems the quality of the product can be kept consistent
Manager monitor the system making changes if necessary

56. Implications of Automated Systems
Economic
Expensive to install
Complete new factories may have to be built
Long term “cheaper” than humans
Productivity is increased

57. The Future “Intelligent robots” ?
Expert systems will combine with robots allowing “thinking” machines which will apply rules more consistently than humans, explain their decisions and learn from their mistakes
watch a video clip 1
watch a video clip 2
watch a video clip 3