Standard

AMF 106 Introduction to Robotics

Course Description

Explores basic robotic concepts. Studies robots in typical application environments. Topics include: robot history and fundamentals, robot classification, power sources, robot applications in the workplace, robot control techniques, path control, end of arm tooling, robot operation and robot controllers, controller architecture in a system, robotic language programming, and human interface issues.

Competency Areas		Hours
Robot History and Fundamentals		Class	3
Robot Classification		D. Lab	0
Power Sources		P. Lab/O.B.I.	4
Robot Applications in the Workplace		Credit	4
Robot Control Techniques
Path Control
End of Arm Tooling
Robot Operation and Robot Controllers
Controller Architecture in a System
Robotic Language Programming
Human Interface Issues
Prerequisite:	Program admission
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
ROBOT HISTORY AND FUNDAMENTALS		4	0	0
History of the industry	List early robot-like machines.
	Discuss the impact of key individuals on robotics development.
	Outline early robot development.
	Identify initial robot applications.
The emergence of robots in the 1970s	Outline reasons for the late emergence, including inflation in the 1970s, the development of offshore industries, the development of the microprocessor, and human resistance to the introduction of robots in the workplace.
Definition of robotics	Discuss the Society of Manufacturing.
	Discuss engineers' definition with particular emphasis on the key terms "reprogrammable" and "multifunctional."
Basic robot systems	Discuss the operation and functions of the following components of a basic robot system: mechanical arm, production tooling, external power source, robot controller, permanent storage device, teach station, and vision.
Basic terms	Define accuracy, repeatability, work envelope, degree of freedom, orientation axes, position axes, tool-center point, work cell coordinates, speed, and payload.
ROBOT CLASSIFICATION		4	0	5
Robot arm geometry	Perform a work envelope analysis by coordinate system.
Rectilinear coordinate systems	Discuss position and orientation axes.
	Describe work envelope.
	List advantages and disadvantages of rectilinear coordinate systems.
	List applications of rectilinear coordinate systems.
Spherical coordinate systems	Discuss position and orientation axes.
	Describe work envelope.
	List advantages and disadvantages of spherical coordinate systems.
	List applications of spherical coordinate systems.
Jointed-spherical coordinate systems	Discuss position and orientation axes.
	Describe work envelope.
	List advantages and disadvantages of jointed-spherical coordinate systems.
	List applications of jointed-spherical coordinate systems.
POWER SOURCES		3	0	2
Hydraulic drive	Describe a hydraulic drive power system.
	List types of actuators available for use with this type of system.
	List advantages and disadvantages of hydraulic drive power sources.
Pneumatic drive	Describe a pneumatic power system.
	List types of actuators available for use with this type of system.
	List advantages and disadvantages of pneumatic drive power sources.
Electrical	Describe electrical power systems.
	List types of electrical systems available for use.
	List advantages and disadvantages of electrical power drive systems.
ROBOT APPLICATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE		3	0	2
Assembly applications	Discuss current and anticipated applications of robots in the workplace.
Nonassembly applications	Discuss current and anticipated applications of robots in nonassembly applications.
ROBOT CONTROL TECHNIQUES		1	0	0
Closed-loop systems	Describe closed-loop systems operation. List advantages and disadvantages of closed-loop systems.
Nonservo feedback	Describe nonservo feedback systems operation.
	List advantages and disadvantages of nonservo feedback systems.
PATH CONTROL		3	0	1
Terminology	Define path control.
Stop-to-stop control	Define stop-to-stop control.
	Describe the operation of stop-to-stop control.
	List advantages and disadvantages of stop-to-stop control.
Point-to-point control	Define point-to-point control.
	Describe the operation of point-to-point control.
	List advantages and disadvantages of point-to-point control.
Controlled path control	Define controlled path control.
	Describe the operation of controlled path control.
	List advantages and disadvantages of controlled path control.
Continuous path control	Define continuous path control.
	Describe the operation of continuous path control.
	List advantages and disadvantages of continuous path control.
Controller intelligence	Discuss the relative level of intelligence of low, medium, and high technology robots.
END OF ARM TOOLING		3	0	4
Tooling characteristics	List six characteristics of end of arm tooling.
Intelligence requirements	Discuss intelligence requirements of tooling and the robot.
Standard grippers	Differentiate between angular and parallel grippers.