Unit 15 – Automation, Robotics and PLC’s

The word automation was not used until the 1940s and it originated in the automotive manufacturing sector as a method designed to reduce labour costs and improve the quality, accuracy and precision of the finished products. We are all now very familiar with the sight of dancing robots, not only in the production of cars but in everything from washing machines to pharmaceuticals. As a result of this technology the products we purchase may have never been touched by human hands and we all benefit from a reduction in costs and improvement in quality.

This Module includes:

  • 2 Workbooks
  • 4 Assignments
  • 54 Tutorial Videos
  • 2 Simulation Files
  • 2 Software

Description

The aim of this unit is for students to investigate how Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and industrial robots can be programmed to successfully implement automated engineering solutions. Among the topics included in this unit are: PLC system operational characteristics, different types of programming languages, types of robots and cell safety features.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to program PLCs and robotic manipulators to achieve a set task, describe the types and uses of PLCs and robots available, write simple PLC programs, and program industrial robots with straightforward commands and safety factors.


Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Describe the design and operational characteristics of a PLC system.

System operational characteristics:
Modular, unitary and rack mounted systems
Characteristics, including speed, memory, scan time, voltage and current limits
Input and output devices (digital, analogue)
Interface requirements
Communication standards (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, Ethernet)
Internal architecture
Different types of programming languages (IEC 61131-3)

2. Design a simple PLC program by considering PLC information, programming and communication techniques.

Programming language:
Signal types
Number systems (binary, octal, hexadecimal)
Allocation lists of inputs and outputs
Communication techniques
Network methods
Logic functions (AND, OR, XOR)
Associated elements (timers, counters, latches)
Test and debug methods:
Systematic testing and debugging methods
Proper application of appropriate testing and debugging methods

3. Describe the key elements of industrial robots and be able to program them with straightforward commands to perform a given task.

Element considerations:
Types of robots
Mobile robotics
Tools and end effectors
Programming methods
Robot manipulators (kinematics, design, dynamics and control, vision systems, user interfaces)

4. Investigate the design and safe operation of a robot within an industrial application.

Safety:
Cell safety features
Operating envelope
Operational modes
User interfaces

Additional information

Workbooks

2

Assignments

4

Tutorial Videos

54 Tutorial Videos included in the price of the module.

AC RC Circuit (25:04)
AC RL Circuit (14:49)
Archimedes' Principle (08:25)
Basic Thermodynamics (20:10)
Casio Scientific Calculator Demo (37:24)
Complex Waves from Sinusoids (22:22)
Compound Angle Identities – Concept (16:33)
Compound Angle Identities – Example 1 (21:22)
Compound Angle Identities – Example 2 (24:52)
D'Alembert's Principle (08:08)
Data Presentation Software (08:44)
Deriving Equations (19:20)
Dimensions of Frequency (08:26)
Dimensions of Resistance (09:48)
Electromagnetic Induction (26:18)
Electromagnetic Properties of Materials (17:41)
Getting started with the MicroCap Simulator (21:59)
Graph Simulator – Advanced (12:46)
Graph Simulator – Beginner (23:17)
Graph Simulator – Intermediate (15:12)
Graphical and Polar Signals (12:30)
Incompressible Fluids (13:01)
Introduction to Dimensions (13:48)
Magnetic Fields (21:34)
Material Degradation, Loading and Hysteresis (11:58)
Mechanical Properties of Materials (10:14)
MicroCap – Parallel AC RC Circuit (13:41)
MicroCap – Parallel AC RL Circuit (15:38)
MicroCap – Series RC Low-Pass Filter (15:46)
MicroCap – Series RL High-Pass Filter (36:50)
MicroCap – Series RLC Tuned Circuit (16:12)
Newton's Laws of Motion (09:10)
Plotting Vectors with Software (13:54)
Principle of Conservation of Energy (06:40)
RC Circuit (09:24)
Resistors in Series and Parallel (27:50)
Revision of Indices (22:24)
RL Circuit (09:00)
Series RLC Circuit (18:25)
SI Base Units (10:00)
SI Derived Units (10:23)
SI Prefixes (13:06)
Simple DC Resistive Network (04:05)
Simultaneous Equations (24:24)
Sinusoids and Radian Measure (13:03)
Sinusoids and Radians (13:22)
Space and Free Body Diagrams (08:56)
The Mysterious Root 3 and 3 Phase Systems Analysis (22:27)
The Scientific Method (10:12)
Thevenin and Norton Equivalents (17:52)
Two Source DC Resistive Network (17:33)
Two-Source DC Network (31:49)
Vector (Cross) Product and Scalar(Dot) Product (31:08)
Vector Quantities (19:25)

Simulation Files

2

Software

2

Workbook Sample

Tutorial Video Sample