A presentation

on
Revised Syllabus
of
Elements of Mechanical Engineering (14 EME14 /24)
Topic: Robotics and Automation
By
M. Sreenivasa Reddy
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,
R.L. Jalappa Institute of Technology
Doddaballapur -561 203

Robotics:

Introduction, Classification based

on robots configuration, Polar, Cylindrical,
Cartesian coordinate and Spherical.
Application, Advantages and
Disadvantages.
Automation:
Definition,
Types-Fixed,
Programmable and Flexible automation, NC /
CNC machines: Basic elements with simple
block
diagrams,
Advantages
and
Disadvantages.

Introduction

Robot can be defined as a programmable multifunctional manipulator designed to move material,

parts, tools or specialized devices through a variable
programmed motions for the performance of variety
of tasks.

Robots are fitted with sensors which sends the

sensory information to the computer which processes
them and develops action machines for the robot
actuators.

Industrial robots are capable of handling a variety of

jobs from material handling to complex assembly
tasks. Few applications of industrial robots are
material transfer, spray painting, machine loading,
spot welding and assembly.

Classification of Robots based on

configurations

A large number of combinations are possible to

design a robot.

For example, a robot manipulator having 3 degrees of

freedom can be designed by using different
combinations of 5 types of joints in 5 5 5 (125)
ways.
The

majority of commercially available

robots can be grouped into four basic
configurations.

Cartesian Coordinate configuration robots.

Cylindrical Coordinate configuration robots.
Spherical Coordinate configuration robots.
Joint arm configuration robots (Revolute).

Cartesian coordinate configuration

(Rectilinear)
The links of the manipulator are constrained
to move in linear manner. Axes of a robotic
device that behave in this way are referred
to as prismatic. This robot is also termed
as gantry robot.

Spherical Coordinate configuration robot

This kind of robots has a telescope arm

which pivots about a horizontal axis and also
rotates about a vertical axis. Because of
mechanical and or actuator limitations, the
work envelope of such a robot is a portion of
sphere.

Cylindrical Coordinate configuration robot

This kind of robots use a vertical column

with a robot arm attached to a side which
can move up and down the column.
Simultaneously, the arm can move radially
with respect to the column.

Joint arm configuration robot

This kind of robots resembles an human arm
and consists of a series of links connected by
rotary joints which when referenced from
base are referred to as the shoulder, arm
and wrist joints.
There are three different types of jointed arm
robots:
(a) Pure spherical
(b) Parallelogram spherical
(c) Cylindrical.

Applications of robots
Following are the important applications of robots:
1. The most useful application of robot is for
processes involving hazardous, unpleasant work
environment such as heat, sparks, fumes etc.
Examples of these situations include hot forging,
die casting, spray painting and foundry
operations.
2. Robots are employed in material transfer
applications in which they are used to move work
parts from one location to another. Ex: pick and
place, transfer from conveyor etc.
3. Robots are used in welding processes such as
spot welding and arc welding.

4. Robots are employed in spray painting

process of many large consumer products
such as automobiles and appliances and
most industrial products.
5. Robots are used to perform some
processing operations such as drilling,
riveting, grinding, polishing, debarring etc.
6. Now days, robots are also used in assembly
operations and inspection process.

Advantages
Provides consistency and repeatability.
Lifting and moving heavy objects.
Working in hostile environments.
Working during unfavorable hours.
Increasing productivity, safety, efficiency
and quality of products.
Achieving more accuracy than human
beings.
Performing dull or monotonous jobs.

Disadvantages
Lack of capability to respond in emergencies.
Initial and installation costs are quite high.
Replacement of workers, causes resentment
among workers.

AUTOMATION
Automation

could be defined as a technology

concerned
with
the
application
of
mechanical, electronic and computer-based
systems to operate and control production.
Automation produces the final product at
minimum cost, involving minimum labour
intervention, producing components of high
accuracy and desired tolerances repeatedly
without causing rejections.

Types of Automation

Automates systems are classified into

three basic types:
Fixed automation
Programmable automation
Flexible automation.

Fixed automation
In a fixed automation, the sequence operations
is fixed by the equipment configuration.
The operations in the sequence are usually
simple. This kind of system is complex because
of integration and coordination of many
operations into one piece of equipment.
Example of fixed automation include
mechanized assembly lines ( the product is
moved along mechanized conveyors, but the
workstations along the line are manually
operated and machining transfer lines.

Programmable automation
In programmable automation, the production
equipment is designed with the capability to
change
sequence
of
operations
to
accommodate
different
product
configurations.
Example of programmable automation include
numerically controlled machine tools and
industrial robots.

Flexible automation.
It is an extension of programmable
automation.
Complete information and program for the
products desired to be produced are
available in computer system and just code
for new product has to be fed to computer
and changes in all settings, tools etc., are
done automatically.
Example of flexible automation are the
flexible manufacturing systems for
performing machining operations.

Advantages
Increased

productivity.
Reduced overall production cost.
Human fatigue is greatly minimized.
Reduced maintenance requirements.
Uniform components are produced.
There is an effective control over the
production process.
There is great improvement in the quality
and reliability of the products.
Human safety is fully ensured.

Limitations
High

initial investment.
Robots and manufacturing
automation may leads to
unemployment.
Skill up gradation involves cost.

Applications of automation
Applications of automation include the
following:
Numerically control.
Automated production lines.
Automated assembly.
Robots in manufacturing.
Flexible manufacturing system.
CAD/CAM and computer Integrated
Manufacturing (CIM).
Building Automation system (BAS).

Numerical Control [NC]

Numerical control (NC) is a form of
programmable automation in which the
processing equipment is controlled by means
of numbers, letters and other symbols.
NC is used in machine tool application such as
drilling, milling, turning other metal working
and non-machine tool applications such as
assembly drafting and inspection.

Basic components of NC

A numerical control system

consists of
Program of instructions.
Machine control unit.
Processing equipment.

Advantages
Numerical

control substantially reduces the

time required to set up the machine in
preparation for doing the job.
NC reduces the number of special jigs and
fixtures required to machine a part.
NC drastically reduces the time used to take
trial cuts in order to obtain the required size.

Disadvantages
High

initial cost.
Requires programming.
Proper training of operation and
maintenance is absolutely
essential.

Computer Numerical control [CNC]

CNC may be defined as an NC system in which a
dedicated stored program computer is used to
perform, store or all of the basic NC functions
in accordance with control programs stored in
the read write memory of the computer.
Basically, the CNC technology was applied on
basic metal cutting machines like lathe, milling
machine etc, later to increase the flexibility of
the machines in variety of components and to
finish them in a single setup the same
machine.

Basic components of CNC

Input

unit
Control unit
Memory unit
Arithmetic unit
Output unit
Operator Interface
Machine interface

Advantages of CNC
Improved

reliability.
CNC systems provides greater
flexibility over conventional NC.
CNC is more compatible with the use
of a total manufacturing information
system.

Machine Tool Operations

Lathe Operations:
Turning
Facing
Knurling
Thread cutting
Taper turning ( by swiveling
compound rest)

Drilling Operations:
Drilling
Reaming
Tapping
Counter Sinking
Counter Boring

Milling Operations:
Plane milling
End Milling
Slot Milling

Sheet Metal Work

Parallel line Method

Prisms, Cylinder

Radial Line Method

Pyramids, Cone
Frustum

of Cone
Prism ( Hexagon & Pentagon)
Truncated Square pyramid.

Thank You
one and all
for your kind
attention.
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