SM 6th Sem Mech Industrial Robotics Automation
SM 6th Sem Mech Industrial Robotics Automation
ON
COMPILE BY
TUSHAR KANTA MAHAPATRA
LECTURER
CHAPTERS
Fundamentals of Robotics:
2.1 Actuators; Hydraulic, Pneumatic and Electrical drives; linear actuator; Rotary drives.
2.2 AC servo motor; DC servo motors and Stepper motors; Conversion between linear and rotary
motion.
2.3 Feedback devices; Potentiometers; Optical encoders; DC tachometers.
2.4 Robot controller; Level of Controller; Open loop and Closed loop controller.
2.5 Microprocessor based control system; Robot path control: Point to point, Continuous path
control and Sensor based path control; Controller programming.
Sensors:
3.1 Requirements of a sensor.
3.2 Principles and Applications of the following types of sensors: Position sensors (Encoders,
Resolvers, Piezo Electric); Range sensors (Triangulation Principle, Structured lighting
approach).
3.3 Proximity sensing; Force and torque sensing.
4.1 Robot vision system (scanning and digitizing image data); Image processing and analysis.
4.2 Cameras (Acquisition of images); Videocon camera (Working principle & construction).
4.3 Applications of Robot vision system: Inspection, Identification, Navigation & serving
6.1 Basic elements of automated system, advanced automation functions, levels of automation.
6.2 Application of robots in machining; welding; assembly and material handling.
Reference Books:
1. “Robotics and Industrial Automation” written by Er. R.K. Rajput and Published by S. Chand
2. “Industrial Automation and Robotics” written by Khushdeep Goyal, Deepak Bhandari and
published by Katson Books
Online References:
3. https://youtu.be/j8vyclenyk0
4. https://youtu.be/ryatu3y2dmy
5. https://youtu.be/wcy0y3jgf14
FUNDAMENTALS OF ROBOTICS
INTRODUCTION:
To increased productivity.
To raise the quality level of products.
To maintain the labor requirements.
To reduce production time.
To improve existing manufacturing process.
To enhance the life production machines.
To increase the safety level of the labor.
Thus to minimize the loss of man hours on account of accident and diseases.
ROBOT CHARACTERISTICS
Sensing
First of all your robot would have to be able to sense its surroundings. It would do
this in ways that are not similar to the way that you sense your surroundings.
Giving your robot sensors like light sensors (eyes), touch and pressure sensors
(hands), chemical sensors, hearing sensors, and taste sensors will give your robot
awareness of its environment.
Movement
Energy
Intelligence
A robot needs some kind of "smarts." This is where programming enters the
pictures. A programmer is the person who gives the robot its 'smarts.' The robot will
have to have some way to receive the program so that it knows what it is to do.
LAWS OF ROBOTICS
A. First Law
A robot must not harm a human being or through inaction, allow one to come to
harm.
B. Second Law
A robot must always obey human beings unless it is in conflict of 1st law.
C. Third Law
A robot must protect itself from harm unless that is in conflict with the 1st / 2nd
Law.
APPLICATION OF ROBOT
Assembly, Inspection.
Robots in Space
Robots at Home (for entertained, cooking and other house hold work)
In military service.
ADVANTAGES OF ROBOT
DISADVANTAGES OF ROBOT
A Robot carries a large number of components of which the main components are
the following:
I. Base:
This may be moveable or fixed. Base is the component where the whole assemble
of robot will stand.
II. Manipulator arm:
A manipulator arm is a type of mechanical arm, usually programmable, with similar
functions to a human arm; the arm may be the sum total of the mechanism or may
be part of a more complex robot.
III. Gripper and end effectors:
It is used for holding a piece of tool, depending upon the application of robot. The
gripper or end effectors are the portion by which robot can able to hold a job rigidly
and replace it one place to another.
IV. Drives:
Also knows as actuators, they move the manipulator arm and end effectors to the
required position in space.
V. Controller:
It delivers commands to the actuators with the help of hardware and software
supports.
VI. Sensors:
They performed dual functions
1) To act as feedback devices to direct further actions of the manipulator arm and the
end effectors (gripper).
2) To interact with the robots working environment.
ROBOT ANATOMY:
A joint of an industrial robot is similar to a joint in the human body. It provides relative
motion between two parts of the body. Each joint and axis as it is sometimes called
provides the robot with so called degree of freedom of motion.
Normally all industrial robots have mechanical joints that can be classified into one of the
five types. Two types that provide translational motion and three types that provides
rotating motions.
Vertical motions:
The entire manipulator arm can be moved up and down vertically either by means
of the shoulder swivel i.e. turning it about a horizontal axis or by sliding it in a
vertical sliding.
Radial motion:
Radial movement i.e. In and out movement of the manipulator arm is providing by
elbow extension by extending it and drawing back.
Rotational motion:
Clockwise and anticlockwise rotation about the vertical axis to the manipulator
arm is provided through arm sweep.
Pitch motion:
It enables up and down of the wrist and involves rotational movement as well. it is
also called wrist bend. .
Roll motion:
Also called wrist swivel, it enable rotations of wrist..
Yaw:
Also called wrist yaw, it facilities rightward and leftward swiveling movement of
the wrist.
Industrial robot are designed and built in many different shapes and sizes. They
carry different motion system and capable of providing a verity of manipulations
arm. But most of the industrial robots are basically designed to carry one of the
following coordinate system or configuration.
Cartesian coordinate system
Polar coordinate system.
Cylindrical coordinate system.
Revolute coordinate system.
Cartesian coordinate system:
Cartesian coordinate robot is an industrial whose three axes of control are linear and are
at right angles to each other. I.e. x, y, z. The axes can move in straight lines only.
The sliding movement along the x-axis enables a right and left motion and that along the
y-axis a forward and backward motion and the one along the z-axis an up and down
motion.
This type of configuration gives cubic workspace, that is the robot can reach in cubic
volume workspace in a three dimensional space.
This configuration is used when a large workspace must be covered and this type of
robot configuration is most accurate.
This cylindrical coordinate configuration has the three degree of freedom which
includes two linear motions and one rotational motion.
The body of robot is a vertical column which can rotate about a vertical column
which can rotate about a vertical axis to provide the rotary motion. Also the arm can
slide and out to provide the second motion.
The manipulator can reach any point in a cylinder volume of workspace. This robot
is well suited to round workspace, but cannot provide full cylinder.
This type of configuration has three degrees of freedom. This robot configuration is
similar to jointed arm robot configuration but in this case the shoulder and elbow axis
are vertical. This configuration is very strong in vertical direction.
This robot configuration is basically used for insertion assembly operation.
The size of the robot components like wrist, arm, and body
The Cartesian co-ordinate configuration robot arm will move in up & down
directions on the horizontal axis, and in & out motions in the vertical axis. The
collective movement of traverse and horizontal stroke results in the rectangular
work volume.
It is inflexible, and best suitable for pick and place processes.
2. Cylindrical configuration:
A cylindrical configuration robot has an arm that has got the ability to reach horizontal
and vertical directions. Moreover, it can make a rotary motion by placing the arm at the
centre of the robot. As a result, this robot requires a cylindrical type of work volume for
performing an operation.
It is mostly used in the material handling process.
3. Polar configuration:
The arm of a polar configuration robot does not move in up and down position on the
vertical axis as done in the cylindrical configuration. It just makes the robot to rotate
during the horizontal stroke by expanding the inner and outer circles. It results in the
formation of an arc movement. As soon as this process finishes, the robot arm swings
and gets spherical work volume.
This type of robot is incorporated in the Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) for
4. Revolute configuration:
A cylindrical configuration robot has an arm that has got the ability to reach horizontal
and vertical directions. Moreover, it can make a rotary motion by placing the arm at the
centre of the robot. As a result, this robot requires a cylindrical type of work volume for
performing an operation.
It is mostly used in the material handling process.
End Effectors:
In our discussion of robot configuration we motioned that can end effectors is usually
attached to the robot’s wrist. The end effectors enable the robot to accomplish a specific
task because there is wide variety of tasks performed by industrial robots.
There are two types of end effectors are
1. Tools
2. Grippers.
Grippers:
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Gripper are the end effectors used to grasp and manipulate objects during the work
cycle, machine loading and unloading application fall into this application.
According to variety of parts, shapes, sizes and weights most grippers must be
custom designed.
There are many different types of gripper used in industrial for different used.
Mechanical gripper:
It consists of two or more fingers that can be actuated by the robot controller
to open and close to hold the work part.
Vacuum gripper:
In these types of gripper suction cups are used to hold the flat objects.
Magnetized devices:
It is used for holding ferrous parts.
Adhesive devices:
This is use an adhesive substance to hold a flexible material such as a fabric.
Simple mechanical devices:
Used as hooks and scoops.
Dual gripper:
1. It consists of two gripper devices in one end effectors for machine loading
and unloading. With a single gripper the robot must reach into the production
machine twice. But in dual gripper the robots picks up the next work part,
while the machine is stilling processing the preceding part.
2. When the machine cycle is finished the robot reaches into the machine only
once to remove the finished parts and load the next part. Thus reduce the
cycle time per part.
Interchangeable fingers:
Example of the tool used as end effectors by robot to perform processing like
spot welding, arc welding, drilling, routing, grinding, spray painting gun,
assembly.
In some application, the robot may use multiple tools during work cycle.
Ex. - several sizes of routing or drilling bit must be applied to the work part.
Sensor in Robot:-
1. Tactile sensor:
These are used to determine whether contact is made between the sensors and
object.
Tactile sensor can be divided into two types in robot application:
I. Touch sensors.
II. Force sensors.
2. Touch sensor:
It indicates simply that contact has been made with the object.
3. Force sensor:
It indicates the magnitude of the force with the object. This might be useful in a
gripper to measure and control the force being applied to hold a delicate object.
4. Proximity sensor:
These indicate when an object is closer to the sensor, when this type of sensor is used
to indicate the actual distance of the object. It is also called range sensor.
5. Temperature Sensor:
Temperature sensors are used to detect the surrounding temperature change. It is based
on the principle of voltage difference change for a temperature change
6. Positioning Sensors:
Positioning sensors are used to approximate the position of a robot. The usual
positioning sensor is a GPS (Global Positioning System).
7. Light Sensor:
A light sensor detects light and creates a difference in voltage. A robot’s vision system
has a computer-controlled camera that allows the robot to see and adjust its
movements accordingly.
8. Sound Sensor:
Sound sensors are generally a microphone used to detect the equivalent voltage of
sound and return. The sound it receives can be navigated by a simple robot.
9. Optical sensor:
Photocells and other photometric devices can be utilized to detect the presence and
absence of objects and are often used for proximity detection.
DEGREE OF FREEDOM:
It can be defined as the number of the variables required to define the motion of a robot in
the three dimensional space.
The maximum number of DOF is ‘6’.
Each joint of the robot gives a degree of freedom and each DOF can give sliding and
rotary motion.
Any robot typically has maximum six degree of freedom.
PREDICTED QUESTIONS:
2 Marks Questions
1. What is Robot?
2. Define work volume?
3. What is tactile sensor?
4. State the benefits of industrial robots?
5. Define the repeatability of the robot?
6. State workspace?
7. What is work volume?
8. State robot anatomy?
9. List out the important specification of an industrial robot?
05 / 10 Marks Questions
To increase productivity, to improve quality of the finished products and enhance the
production efficiency industries or plants have led to an ever ground tendency to transfer
more and more activities into power operated or mechanism operated activities.
This has led to the use of two particular words mechanization and automation both in
industries and workplace.
MECHANIZATION
Mechanization means a particular process operation or activity will be carried out with the
use of power such as mechanical, electrical, hydraulic etc. Instead of being performed by a
human being.
The main objects of replacing human involvement by using power are
o To reduce the labor cost.
o To reduce overall process time
o To minimize human fatigue.
o To improve quality of products.
o To increase production rate.
Mechanization may be adopted for several operate like loading, unloading, material
handling, tool feeding etc.
Mechanization is the preliminary level of automation which is generally applicable to semi-
automatic machine and equipment.
AUTOMATION
“The word automation means a system in which many or all of the process in the production,
movement and inspection of parts or materials are automatically performed or controlled by
self-operating devices”.
Automation represents a higher degree of mechanization through which most of all of the
operations or activities involved in manufacturing of a product or product are performed
through automatic means i.e. without direct participation of a human being, except some
aspect like rotating of machine, readjusting for correction.
The degree of automation may vary from process to process and M/C to M/C. i.e. it may
carry only partial automation or full automation.
Partial automation means replacement of human activities or involvement by automatic
means only partially.
In full automation the human involvement is totally eliminated and the process is carried out
and controlled through automatic means along with proper feedback system.
Full automation will include all aspects of manufacturing such as loading, unloading,
handling, services etc.
TYPES OF AUTOMATION
1. FIXED AUTOMATION.
2. PROGRAMABLE AUTOMATION.
3. FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION.
FIXED AUTOMATION
Fixed automation is a system in which the sequences of processing operation are fixed
and equipment or machines are designed according to a particular sequence.
The arrangements of equipment and machines are simple but expensive due to more no of
machine required, however production rate is high but flexibility is less i.e. it cannot be
used for other products.
Ex - mechanized assemble liner, machining transfer lines.
PROGRAMMABLE AUTOMATION
In programmable automation products and equipment are designed with capability to the
change the sequence of operation to produced different products.
The operation sequence is controlled by a program which is a set of instruction coded so
that the system can read and interpret them.
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New program can be prepared for new products and entered into the equipment so that
flexibility is more than fixed automation.
But high investment in generally purpose of machine and low production rate. However it
is basically used for batch production.
Ex - N.C machine tool, Industrial Robot.
FLEXIABLE AUTOMATION
NEED OF AUTOMATION
To increase productivity i.e. output per unit hour or to increase labor productivity this is
archived with automation.
To reduce the cost of labor because machine can be produce at higher rate of output i.e.
automation results in a lower cost of unit of product.
To overcome difficult of labor shortage in advance country automation is fully utilized.
Less time required.
High finished products are produced.
ELEMENTS OF AUTOMATION
Any automated system has three basic elements for successful implementation. These basic
elements are
1. Power Source
2. Programming ( machine programming)
3. Feedback Control
1. Power Source
Basically the electricity is used to running automation technology. The electric power is
easily available these days and is being generated in coal thermal power plants, hydraulic
power plant, solar power plant etc. this electricity can be easily converted to any form of
energy i.e. mechanical energy, hydraulic energy.
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2. Programming
The programming or machine programming is the set of instruction which determine which
action is to be done by the system to complete a task.
3. Feedback Controls
Feedback controls are backbone of any automation system. Basically any feedback system
consist of the following basic elements
1. Sensors
2. Analyzers
3. Actuators
4. Drives
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATION
Advantages:
1. Higher production volume.
2. Increase in productivity.
3. Increase in product quality.
4. Improvement in worker safety.
5. Better inventory control.
6. Reduction in inspection costs.
7. Reduction in scarp.
8. Reduction in overall manufacturing time of a product.
9. Standardization of products.
10. Efficient use of materials.
Disadvantages:
1. Displacement of workers.
2. Increase unemployment.
3. High initial cost required.
4. High cost of maintenance.
5. Higher wages of skilled manpower.
TIG welding
Robotic laser welding
Resistance welding
Plasma arc welding
Electron beam welding
2. Material handling Applications
Pick and Place operations
Palletizing operations
Dispensing operation
Press tending operations
Parts transfer operations
Machine loading and unloading
Machine tending operations
Order picking operations
Packaging operations
3. Other Miscellaneous Application
Grinding operation
Spray painting operation
Drilling operation.
Coating of metals
Flames spray application.
Inspection and quality control application.
Material removal application
Assembly operation.
Application Description
Material transfer • Main purpose is to pick up parts at one location
and place them at a new location. Part re-
orientation may be accomplished during the
transfer. The most basic application is a pick-and-
place procedure, by a low-technology robot (often
pneumatic), using only up to 4 joints.
• More complex is palletizing, where robots
Processing Operations
In processing operations, the robot performs some processing activities such as grinding,
milling, etc. on the work part. The end effector is equipped with the specialized tool required for
the respective process. The tool is moved relative to the surface of the work part. Table outlines
the examples of various processing operations that deploy robots.
Process Description
Spot Welding Metal joining process in which two sheet metal
parts are fused together at localized points of
contact by the deployment of two electrodes that
squeeze the metal together and apply an electric
current. The electrodes constitute the spot welding
gun, which is the end effectors tool of the welding
robot.
SENSORS
INTRODUCTION
A sensor is a device that detects and responds to some type of input from the physical
environment.
The specific input could be light, heat, motion, moisture, pressure, or any one of a great
number of other environmental phenomena. The output is generally a signal that is
TYPES OF SENSORS
LIGHT SENSOR
A light sensor detects light and creates a difference in voltage. A robot’s vision system
has a computer-controlled camera that allows the robot to see and adjust its movements
accordingly.
The two primary light sensors in robots are Photo resistor and Photovoltaic cells. Other
light sensors like phototubes, phototransistors; CCDs, etc. are rarely used.
a) A photo resistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies with light intensity
changes; more light leads to less resistance, and less light leads to more resistance. They
can be easily implemented in light-dependent robots.
b) Photovoltaic cells convert solar radiation into electricity. This is especially helpful
when planning a solar robot. While the photovoltaic cell is considered as an energy
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source, a smart implementation combined with transistors and capacitors can convert this
into a sensor.
SOUND SENSOR
Sound sensors are generally a microphone used to detect the equivalent voltage of sound
and return. The sound it receives can be navigated by a simple robot.
Imagine a robot turning right to a pulpit, turning left for two palpitations. Complex
robots may use the same microphone for voice recognition.
Sound sensors are not as easy as light sensors because sound sensors generate a minimal
voltage difference which should be amplified to produce a measurable change in
voltage. Voice systems also use robots with voice commands.
PROXIMITY SENSOR
This is a type of sensor which can detect the presence of a nearby object within a given
distance, without any physical contact. The working principle of a Proximity sensor is
simple. A transmitter transmits an electromagnetic radiation or creates an electrostatic
field and a receiver receives and analyzes the return signal for interruptions. There are
different types of Proximity sensors and we will discuss only a few of them which are
generally used in robots.
2. Ultrasonic Sensor: These sensors generate high frequency sound waves; the received
echo suggests an object interruption. Ultrasonic Sensors can also be used for distance
measurement.
3. Photo resistor: Photo resistor is a light sensor; but, it can still be used as a proximity
sensor. When an object comes in close proximity to the sensor, the amount of light
changes which in turn changes the resistance of the Photo resistor. This change can be
detected and processed.
There are many different kinds of proximity sensors and only a few of them are
generally preferred for robots. For example, Capacitive Proximity sensors are available
which detects change in capacitance around it. Inductive proximity sensor detects
objects and distance through the use of induced magnetic field.
DISTANCE SENSOR
Most proximity sensors can also be used as distance sensors, or commonly known
as Range Sensors; IR transceivers and Ultrasonic Sensors are best suited for distance
measurement.
1. Ultrasonic Distance Sensors: The sensor emits an ultrasonic pulse and is captured by a
receiver. Since the speed of sound is almost constant in air, which is 344m/s, the time
between send and receive is calculated to give the distance between your robot and the
obstacle. Ultrasonic distance sensors are especially useful for underwater robots.
2. Infrared Distance sensor: IR circuits are designed on triangulation principle for
distance measurement. A transmitter sends a pulse of IR signals which is detected by the
receiver if there is an obstacle and based on the angle the signal is received, distance is
calculated. SHARP has a family of IR transceivers which are very useful for distance
measurement. A simple transmit and receive using a couple of transmitters and receivers
will still do the job of distance measurement, but if you require precision, then prefer the
triangulation method
3. Laser range Sensor: Laser light is transmitted and the reflected light is captured and
analyzed. Distance is measured by calculating the speed of light and time taken for the
light to reflect back to the receiver. These sensors are very useful for longer distances.
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PRESSURE SENSOR
Pressure sensor measures pressure. Tactile pressure sensors are useful in robotics as
they are sensitive to touch, force and pressure. If you design a robot hand and need to
measure the amount of grip and pressure required to hold an object, then this is what
you would want to use.
TACTILE SENSOR
Tactile Sensor is a device specifying an object’s contact. Often used in everyday objects
such as elevator buttons and lamps, which dim or brighten by touching the base, a tactile
sensor allows the robot to touch and feel. These sensors are used to measure applications
and gently interact with the environment. It can be sorted into two principal types: Touch
Sensor and Force Sensor.
a) Touch Sensor or Contact Sensor: Touch Sensor is capable of sensing and detecting
sensor and object touch. Some of the commonly used simple devices are micro-switches,
limit switches, etc. These sensors are mostly used for robots to avoid obstacles. When
these sensors hit an obstacle, it triggers a task for the robot, which can be reversed,
turned, switched on, stopped, etc.
b) Force Sensor: Force sensor is included in calculating the forces of several functions,
such as machine loading & unloading, material handling, and so on, performed by a
robot. This sensor will also be a better assembly process to check problems.
TEMPERATURE SENSORS
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Temperature sensors are used to detect the surrounding temperature change. It is based
on the principle of voltage difference change for a temperature change; this voltage
change will provide the surrounding temperature equivalent. Temperature sensing
applications include air temperature, surface temperature, and immersion temperature.
INTRODUCTION
The actions of the individual joints must be controlled in order for the manipulator to
perform a desired motion. The robot’s capacity to move its body, arm, and wrist is
provided by the drive system used to power the robot. The joints are moved by actuators
powered by a particular form of drive system.
Common drive systems used in robotics are electric drive, hydraulic drive, and pneumatic
drive.
Mechanical drive system
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The drive system determines the speed of the arm movement, the strength of the robot,
dynamic performance, and, to some extent, the kinds of application.
A robot will require a drive system for moving their arm, wrist, and body. A drive
system is usually used to determine the capacity of a robot. For actuating the robot
joints, there are three different types of drive systems available such as:
1. Electric drive system,
2. Hydraulic drive system, and
3. Pneumatic drive system.
The most importantly used two types of drive systems are electric and hydraulic.
Electric drive system:
The electric drive systems are capable of moving robots with high power or speed.
The actuation of this type of robot can be done by either DC servo motors or DC
stepping motors. It can be well – suited for rotational joints and as well as linear joints.
Electric drive systems do not generally provide as much speed or power as hydraulic
systems. However, the accuracy and repeatability of electric drive robots are usually
better. Consequently, electric robots tend to be smaller. Require less floor space, and
their applications tend toward more precise work such as assembly.
In this System, power is developed by an electric current. It required little maintenance
and the operation is noise less. The one disadvantage of this system is that it is slightly
costlier. An example for this type of drive system is Maker 110 robot.
Hydraulic Drive System
Hydraulic drive is generally associated with larger robots, such as the Unimate 2000
series.
This type of system can also be called as non-air powered cylinders. In this system, oil
is used as a working fluid instead of compressed air. Hydraulic system need pump to
generate the required pressure and flow rate. These systems are quite complex, costly
and require maintenance.
The usual advantages of the hydraulic drive system are that it provides the robot with
greater speed and strength.
The disadvantages of the hydraulic drive system are that it typically adds to the floor
space required by the robot, and that a hydraulic system is inclined to leak on which is a
nuisance.
Pneumatic Drive System
The pneumatic drive systems are especially used for the small type robots, which have
less than five degrees of freedom. It has the ability to offer fine accuracy and speed.
In this system, air is used as a working fluid; hence it is also called air-powered
cylinders. Air is compressed in the cylinder with the aid of pump the compressed air is
used to generate the power with required amount of pressure and flow rates.
This drive system can produce rotary movements by actuating the rotary actuators. The
translational movements of sliding joints can also be provided by operating the piston.
The price of this system is less when compared to the hydraulic drive.
The drawback of this system is that it will not be a perfect selection for the faster
operations.
Servo Motor
Servo motors are also called Control motors. They are used in feedback control
systems as output actuators and does not use for continuous energy conversion. The
principle of the Servomotor is similar to that of the other electromagnetic motor, but the
construction and the operation are different.
They are classified as two types
1. AC Servo Motor
2. DC Servo Motor
DC Motors
Figure illustrates the construction of a DC servomotor, consisting of a stator, a rotor, and a
commutation mechanism. The stator consists of permanent magnets, creating a magnetic field
in the air gap between the rotor and the stator. The rotor has several windings arranged
symmetrically around the motor shaft. An electric current applied to the motor is delivered to
individual windings through the brush-commutation mechanism, as shown in the figure. As the
rotor rotates the polarity of the current flowing to the individual windings is altered. This
allows the rotor to rotate continually.
The actuations of the individual joints must be controlled in a coordinated fashion for the
manipulator to perform a desired motion cycle.
Limited sequence control uses mechanical stops to provide the extreme ranges of motion
and when motion command is used, the joint is driven until the mechanical stop is reached.
This technique is no longer used.
Point-to-point involves the specification of the starting point and end point (and often
intermediate points) of the robot motion requiring a control system which renders some
feedback at those points. This technique is used for spot welding, pick-and-place operations
and so on.
Continuous Path Control requires the robot end effector to follow a stated path from the
starting point to the end point. This technique is required in many applications that require
the actual tracing of a contour, for instance, in arc welding or spray painting. The
continuous path robots usually follow a series of closely spaced points on a path and these
points are defined by the control unit rather than the programmer. In many cases, the paths
between points are straight lines
Intelligent Control An intelligent robot is one that exhibits behavior that makes it seem
intelligent. Some of the characteristics that make a robot appear intelligent include the
capacity to :
Interact with its environment.
Make decisions when things go wrong during the work cycle.
Make computations during the motion cycle.
Respond to advanced sensor inputs such as machine vision
ROBOT CONTROLLER
The behavior of the system can be determined with the help of a differential equation is
known as the control system. So it controls different devices as well as systems with the
help of control loops.
Control systems are classified into two types
1. Open loop control system
2. Closed loop control system
Open loop control system
The working of the open loop control system which depends on time is also called the
open-loop control system. It doesn’t have any feedback.
It is very simple, needs low maintenance, quick operation, and cost-effective. The
accuracy of this system is low and less dependable.
The main advantages of the open-loop control system are easy, needs less protection;
operation of this system is fast & inexpensive and the disadvantages are, it is reliable and
has less accuracy.
Example - The clothes dryer is one of the examples of the open-loop control system. In
this, the control action can be done physically through the operator. Based on the clothing’s
wetness, the operator will fix the timer to 30 minutes. So after that, the timer will
discontinue even after the machine clothes are wet.
The dryer in the machine will stop functioning even if the preferred output is not attained.
This displays that the control system doesn’t feedback. In this system, the controller of the
system is the timer.
So the thermostat will control the compressor. These systems are accurate,
expensive, reliable, and requires high maintenance.
This process yields a visual image of significant contrast that is typically digitizing and
stored in the Computer memory
2. Image processing and analysis
The digitizing image is subjected to image processing and analysis for data reduction and
interpretation of the image. This function may be further subdivided as follows
Preprocessing- it deals with techniques like noise reduction and enhancement
details
Segmentation- it partitions an image into objects of interest.
Description- it computes various features like (sites, shape, etc.) suitable for
differentiating one object from another.
Recognition- it identifies the object
Interpretation- it assigned meaning to an ensemble of objects in the sense
3. Application
The current application of robot vision includes the following
Inspection
Part identification
Location and orientation
Working
When the scanning beam passes over the photo-conductive material of the signal plate, it
deposits electrons so that the potentials of this side of the plate are reduced to that of the
cathode. But the other side of the film (plate) is still at its original potential consequently a
potential difference across a given point on the photo-conductive material is created. It is
approximately 40 V. Before the next scanning (which may be done after an interval of 1/50
or 1/25 sec.), the charge leaks through photoconductive material at a rate determined by the
conductivity of the material which in turn, depends upon the amount of incident light. White
portions of the object will, in turn, depend upon the film and make it more conductive. This
change leaked to the photoconductive side of the film will vary according to the illumination
of the object. As a result potential at every point on the photoconductive side of the film but
this time the charge deposited by the beam in order to reduce its potential towards zero
(cathode potential) will vary with time. Therefore current through load resistance (RL) will
follow the changes in the potential difference between two surfaces of the film and hence
follow the variation of light intensity of successive points in the optical image.
Application of Robot Vision System
The effective use of robotic systems makes assembly, quality control parts handling, and
classification task more robust. By using a single camera, it is possible to track multiple
objects in a visually cultured environment.
1. Presence
Several sensors such as proximity or torque sensor can be used to find the presence or
absence of a part at a specific location. However, the visual detection of presence combined
with other applications gives much more accurate and versatile information.
2. Objective location
For tracking the motion of the manipulator, end effector, and objects, accurate co-ordinate is
used. For this purpose sometime special identification markings are made on the part.
3. Object identification
The object identification which may be a part of starting process involves the determination
of location and pick and place to affect the physical movement of parts.
4. Pick and place
It is possible to guide the man you later to pick a part from a specific location after its
presence has been detected or form any image location in the work cell and place it at the
desired location.
5. Visual inspection
The visual inspection is based on extracting specific quantitative measurements of desired
parameters from an image. The robot employed in visual inspection
* can do sorting of good and bad parts
* can control the manufacturing process based on the measured value of the parameter.
6. Visual guidance
The image of the sensor can be used for accurate specification of relative position off the
menu later and the part in the sense as well as their relative movement
References:
Textbooks
1. “Robotics and Industrial Automation” written by Er. R.K. Rajput, Published by S. Chand
2. “Industrial Automation and Robotics” written by K. Goyal and D.Bhandari, Published by
KATSON Books.