Automated Systems

What is an Automated System?

• An “Automated System” is where computers are used to control machinery.

• For example: In a car factory automated systems are used to weld parts together, spray paint, position windscreens, etc

Where do we find Automated Systems?

• Factories

• Guidance systems

• Traffic lights

• Washing machines?

Yes, washing machines are an exampleof automated systems. A computer controls the timing of wash, spin, drycycle, etc…

Why use Automated Systems?

• Operate at high speed– Micro-welding robots can place 80,000 components

every hour

• Can do repetitive tasks– Will not stop for a break, lose concentration

• Are accurate– Any fault is in the program

• Can work in dangerous places– E.g. nuclear power stations, bomb disposal,

Bomb disposal robot

Task 1Chemical Factory

Glasgow Science Centre TowerCar factory

North Sea Oil IndustryFactory making microchips

For each of the above give a reason why an automated system is being used.

• In a chemical factory they can monitor sensors to warn of accidental spillage, they can transport dangerous chemicals throughout the factory, can be in charge of mixing chemicals together in the right amounts.

• On an oil rig they can check for gas/oil leaks, control the drill, monitor the flow of oil through the pipelines to the shore.

Robots

Stationary robots

• Robots used in a factory production line don’t have to move from the spot. These are called stationary robots.

• Various tools (end-effectors) can be fitted to a stationary robot to allow it to perform a variety of tasks

Stationary Robots

Task 2

Write out a list of tools that can be fitted to a robot arm.

Tools

The tool at the end of the arm could be:-

• A welding gun

• A paint spray

• A gripper

• A screwdriver

• A wrench

• A suction pad (for lifting fragile objects)

• A tool for fixing electronic components

Mobile Robots

• Some robots need to move around

• They can use wheels, tracks or even legs to propel themselves.

How are mobile robots guided?

• Magnetic Guidance

The robot follows a magnetic field which comes from a cable buried in the factory floor. Sensors detect the magnetic field and give information (feedback) to the processor which controls the way the robot moves.

Magnetic guidance system

• Expensive to install as floor has to be dug up.

• Not good in areas where there is a lot of metal as this can confuse the robot.

• Good if there is a complicated route to follow

• Better in dirty areas

• Light guidance

A white line is painted on the floor. The robot shines light onto the floor and uses sensors to pick up the reflected light. This info gives feedback to the processor to plan the course.

Light source

Painted line

sensor

Light Guidance System

• Cheap to install – just paint a line

• Easy to change paths

• Not good in dirty areas as the line will not be clear (also if cardboard or paper lying around).

Task 3

• 1. Which tasks will a) a mobile robot ; b) a stationary robot carry out in a car factory?

• 2. Which type of guidance system would be easier to install? Explain why.

• 3. Describe the job of a sensor in a guidance system.

Computer Aided Design

Computer Aided Design

• CAD for short• CAD systems are used by in manufacturing and

also by architects and planners to make complex designs

• Advantages– They make it easy to produce complicated drawings– Easy to make changes once finished– Can visualise products before they are made– Making extra copies is easy, just send more to the

plotter

CAD

• CAD systems require high-resolution monitors… why?– To give required detail in the design

• Also require powerful processors and lots of storage for 3 dimensional graphics

CAD

• In everyday life, computer aided design can be used in home improvement.– Kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms

• Lets the customer see what they are buying in a virtual environment– Several designs tested in 3D– More likely to order what they want

Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)

• Many factories use computers to control machinery. This is called computer aided manufacture.

• Some factories even use CAD/CAM. The part is designed using CAD and the design fed into the computer which controls the machinery to make the part.

CAM

• This stands for Computer Aided Manufacture– Computers are used to control machinery– E.g. Cutting out metal shapes, Spray painting,

Welding, Assembly– 100% accurate

Integrated CAD/CAM

• Some industries practice integrated CAD and CAM.

• Parts designed on computer are fed straight to CAM system which cut out the part

Task 4

1. Describe a CAD system.

2. How could a CAD system be used to help improve your home?

3. What is CAM?

4. Give two ways CAM is used in the production of cars?

Simulation

Simulation• Simulation is using computers to create a

model of a real life situation• Flying a plane, driving a car, carrying out

an operation• Computer takes control signals and outputs

result to screen• Can be used for training – why?

– No risk, less cost, repeated over and over, precise control of environment.

Virtual reality

• Reality created by computer

• Headset with stereo vision, speakers and sensors.

• Allows the user to enter a virtual world, move around, and manipulate objects

Virtual Reality – What is it used for?

• Essentially, VR is 3D simulation.

• Used for training in maintaining expensive machines (or the human machine!)

• Used to examine CAD model from the inside out, even before it’s built e.g. car or plane.

Now do Knowledge check 1 in the Automated Systems booklet

Analogue to Digital Conversion

• Problem: Sensors feedback data to the processor in an Analogue signal.

• But the processor can only handle digital signals – data made up of 1s and 0s.

• An interface is needed to convert the data from analogue to digital.

Real-time processing

• Often, a system controlled by sensors has to react instantly to feedback from the sensors. E.g. Crash detection.

• For this, we use real-time processing• This allows the automated system to react

fast enough to control machinery effectively. E.g. aircraft landing, robotic arm or other machinery, missiles, etc

Task 5

• Why does an automated system need an interface?

Glasgow Science Centre Tower

Glasgow Science Centre Tower

• Where are Automated Systems used here?

• The tower is specially shaped so it can face into the wind

• The wind changes direction so the tower needs to rotate

• Automated Systems are used to control the rotation of the tower.

Glasgow Science Centre Tower

• Wind speed sensor

• Wind direction sensor

Glasgow Science Centre Tower

Task 6 – in the booklet

• Which sensors does the Science Centre use?

• Why is an automated system used to control the position of the tower?

Now do knowledge check 2 – page 14

Initial CostsThese are the costs in bringing in an

automated system.They include:• Buying and fitting computer system• Buying robots• Buying and laying guidance system• Installing sensors• Writing the programs (software)• Training workers

Long Term SavingsIt can cost many millions to set up an automated

system. So why do companies do it?They do it because it will eventually save them

money.The ways they save money are:• Lower wage bill as there are fewer workers• Increased production – more items made with less

wastage• Increase in quality of items as machines are more

accurate and don’t have ‘off days’.

Task 7

• How can the high initial costs be justified?

(Why are companies willing to pay so much for an automated system?)

Affect on Jobs

• Automated Systems affect people’s employment in 3 ways:– New jobs created

– Retraining of existing staff

– Redundancy

• Sometimes there is resistance by employees against the installation of Automated Systems

New Jobs

• Systems Analyst – needed to design the system

• Engineers – needed to install, test and maintain the system

New Jobs

• Operators – needed to run and monitor the system

• Programmers – needed to write and test software

Effect on Jobs

• Some jobs are lost – redundancy

• Some jobs are changed and training will need to be given

Safety Systems

• Keep robots and people separate if necessary

• Hatched off areas (yellow criss-cross) where workers have restricted access

• Appropriate warning in the workplace

• Collision detection sensors on the robot

• Horn and/or flashing light on robot

Task 8

1. Some people are worried about the effect of introducing an automated system. Write out a list of things that might comfort them.

2. Others are worried about safety issues in using robots. What safety measures could be used?

Now do Knowledge Check 3 on page 17

Revision Questions

• In an chemical factory, what could a mobile robot be used for?

• Describe the use of Virtual Reality in a CAD system?

• Describe a control language.• How does a A/D convertor work?• Describe 3 things an analyst would think

about when redesigning a workplace.

DVD

End of unit progress check