Robotics

Question 1

What are the 3 categories of robots?

Answer 1

• First generation
• Second generation
• Third generation

Question 2

What are first generation robots?

Answer 2

• Basic robots with limiting sensing, normally used for loading, transfer of components, etc.
• This type of robot responds to a pre-set program and will carry on regardless of an external changes.

Question 3

What are second generation robots?

Answer 3

• Robots that use sensors to detect faults, changes in their immediate environment and diagnose problems.
• This type of robot is fitted with sensors, which are used to feedback information to a central control computer. This information is then used to monitor the operation of the robot and to automate the work cell.

Question 4

What are third generation robots?

Answer 4

• Advanced robots that use sophisticated sensing to detect changes to their immediate environment, diagnose faults and, if possible, rectify them.
• This type of robot uses sophisticated sensors and computer programming to create ‘artificial intelligence’ or AI.

Question 5

What are the 3 main types of robot used in industry today?

Answer 5

• Beam transfer
• Arm
• Automatic guided vehicle (AGV)

Question 6

What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

Answer 6

• New robotics technology aimed at developing robots that can interact with other robots and react to changes in the environment.
• Such robots are able to ‘think’ for themselves and change their programming to adapt to changes around them.

Question 7

What are beam transfer robots?

Answer 7

• Simple robots that operate of parallel slides or beams. - -
• They will move along x and y axes.
• Mostly used to pick up and move components and pallets.

Question 8

Where can beam transfer robots be seen?

Answer 8

In the car industry, where they are used to pick up press-formed body panels and move them along the manufacturing line.

Question 9

What are arm robots?

Answer 9

• They are the most versatile.
• Robot arms are jointed in a similar way to a human arm.
• These joints, and the directions they can move in are called ‘ degrees of freedom’.
• The hand is known as the ‘end effector’. It can be fitted with a range of tools.
  -^ e.g. air guns for spraying
  > spot welders
  > laser or flame cutters
  > manipulators

Question 10

What are automatic guided vehicles (AGV)?

Answer 10

• a robotic vehicle used to ferry materials or parts around a factory.
• Navigate either by using sensors or lasers.
• Programmed to interface with factory ‘just in time’ systems, so that they deliver materials and components to the right place, at the right time.

Question 11

What are the three main ways to program robots?

Answer 11

• Teach pendant
• Walkthrough
• Off-line

Question 12

What is teach pendant?

Answer 12

A method of programming a robot by using a hand-held remote control device or key pad.

Question 13

What is walkthrough programming?

Answer 13

A method of programming a robot by physically taking a robot through a series of movements.

Question 14

What is off-line programming?

Answer 14

A method of programming a robot using a virtual reality software system.

Question 15

What are the benefits of using robots?

Answer 15

• Carry out mundane, repetitive tasks.
• Carry out physically demanding jobs where there might be a risk of repetitive strain injury.
• Work in hazardous areas, such as work cells where spot welding, arc welding, laser cutting, spraying, is taking place; or in nuclear industry, to carry out inspection and maintenance on radioactive components.
• Work to high levels of accuracy, consistently and quickly.
• Work for long periods of time without the need to stop.

Question 16

What are the drawbacks of using robots?

Answer 16

• Poor mobility and flexibility.
• Limited degrees of freedom.
• High set-up costs.
• Employment issues.