Automation and Robots

John Andrew, P.E.

Course Outline

Automation refers to manufacturing systems with computer controlled robots and machine tools operating from the input of customer orders, through the process of converting materials into finished products.

Varying amounts of human activity are required for the practical implementation of automated systems.

Motor power and automation has moved 75% of the work force in the United States from manufacturing and farming, into the service sector.

This 5 hour online course describes existing automated manufacturing systems.

Semi-automated and fully automated manufacturing systems are described.Major topics are:

1. Factory Automation

2. Pick and Place Robots

3. End Effectors or Grippers

4. Machine Cell Robots

5. Robot Cost Justification

The course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course the student will:

• See 18 essential elements of an automated factory, graphically depicted;
• Study typical manufacturing systems;
• Examine a typical semi-automated factory layout;
• Understand the importance of product drawings as applied to manufacturing;
• Focus on the challenges to automating factories;
• Review state of the art automation applications;
• Compare manual and automated assembly cells;
• Calculate assembly line cell cycle time balance;
• Examine typical automated fixtures;
• Review a typical "Human Machine Interface";
• Look at a ladder logic control diagram and typical commands;
• Observe bar code reader, laser sensor, and vision system equipment;
• See an automatic screwdriver and vibrating bowel feeder;
• Make an in-depth review of a robot gripper;
• Study a state of the art robot machine cell and evaluate the cycle time;
• Calculate the pay-back period of an industrial robot; and
• Obtain several web links to automation related home pages.
  
  

Intended Audience

The information will be especially useful to students, entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators who want to review some of the most important elements of industrial automation today in the United States.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will be able to plan automated industrial assembly and machine cells.

Course Introduction

It is very interesting to see how every stage of the, material conversion to product, process is documented and the data transmitted by wireless transmission to server computers in real time for department managers to evaluate and control.

Course Content

Course Content is in a PDF file: Automation and Robots.

You need to open or download above document to study this course.

Course Summary

A brief and to the point automation summary is provided in these notes that will provide information that can be used to plan automated and semi-automated assembly and machine cells.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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