4.6 Robots in Automation
Essential idea:
The development of increasingly sophisticated robotic manufacturing systems is transforming the way products are made
Nature and Aims of Design
Nature of Design
Designers should consider the benefits of increased efficiency and consistency when using robots in production and be able to explore the latest advances in technology to ensure the optimum manufacturing process is used. However, a good designer will also understand their responsibility to consider the moral and ethical issues surrounding increased use of automation, and the historical impact of lost jobs. (2.5)
Aims
Aim 8: The introduction of robots to an assembly line has had a major impact on the labour force, often making skilled workers redundant in favour of a technician who can maintain and equip a large number of robots.
Guidance
As DP Design Technology student you should:
Primary characteristics of robots: work envelope and load capacity
Single-task robots
Multi-task robots
Teams of robots
Machine to machine (M2M)
Guidance:
Advantages and disadvantages of using robotic systems in production
Consider first, second, and third generation robots
Concepts and Principles
What is a robot?
The video "Automation comes into Fashion" discusses the impact of automation on the textiles industry. This automation is driven by AI, and can have a significant impact on women in regions of the world where textile manufacturing is a major industry.
Learn more about the impact of textiles in Topic 4.2e Textiles
Impact of Robotics on People
The introduction of robots to an assembly line has had a major impact on the labour force, often making skilled workers redundant in favour of a technician who can maintain and equip a large number of robots.
For designers, this means understanding that automation can impact humans in negative ways.
Resources
International Federation of Robotics: A industry group that publishes statistics on the use and implementation of robotics in industrial applications.
Robot Generations
Robots are classified into three generations.
1st Generation Robots are simple robots that do one task. They are programed to do one thing, and cannot respond to changes in their environment. They do not have any sensors.
Robots used in single tasks assembly lines are common examples.
See Single Task Robots below.
Rosborg Food Holding, Denmark's largest producer of herbs and miniature plants, uses a collaborative robot in its packaging operations to pick up pots of herbs from a conveyor belt and place them in cartons. The robot is also used to pick up and position cardboard boxes in place for another machine to insert pre-packaged salad
2nd Generation Robots make use of sensors to respond to their environment. Using sensors such as light, distance, temperature, pressure, radar, etc., they can sense their environment. Complex code uses these sensors to guide the robots to operate autonomously
Robots used to teach coding and robotics are common examples of 2nd generation robots. Robots developed by Bostom Dynamics are able to navigate spaces using a range of sensors.
See Multi-task robots below.
3rd Generation Robots make use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to process the world around them and to accomplish tasks. These are the types of "intelligent" robots we see in movies and pop culture. They are able to learn and operate without human supervision.
Robots for healthcare and companion are emerging examples of 3rd generation robots. Other examples include hive robot systems, where numerous robots, under the control of a central system, cooperate to accomplish a task. In this case, the individual robots lack any form of AI, but the controller use AI to control the group.
Primary Characteristics of Robots
Work Envelope and Load Capacity
The work envelope of a robot is the 3D space a robot can operate within, considering clearance and reach.
The work envelop is defined by two factors:
length of arm(s) determines the reach
Range and number of axes. Each axis adds to a range of motion for the arm. Compare:
3D printers have 3 axes (X, Y, and Z).
a 4 or 5 axis CNC router has multiple axes allowing it to reach behind, up, and around forms.
The load capacity of a robot refers to the maximum load (weight) that a robot can manipulate.
Cartesian Robot
Cylindrical Robot
Polar Robot
Types of Robots
Single Task Robots
Single task robots are designed to do one task.
Typically this is replacing skilled labor, such as painting, welding, or simple picking and placing on an assembly line.
Their inputs and outputs are fixed, meaning they cannot change their actions without being reprogrammed.
In the example above, the robot welds the frame. It has been programmed to move to a pre-determined position and weld a joint. Notice the use of a jig to consistently position the frame in the same position.
Type: 1st Generation Robot; only do one task; lack sensors
Multi Task Robots
Multi task robots can carry out more than one task at a time.
They have flexible inputs and outputs, making use of sensors (light, sound, distance, etc) to respond to their environment.
Examples include complex picking, placing and sorting, and many hobby or educational robots such as VEX, LEGO mindstorsm, and Makeblock mBots. The key element here is that multi-task robots use sensors and code to respond to stimuli in the environment.
Type: 2nd Generation Robot; uses sensors to respond to the world around it.
Robot Teams
Production lines make use of teams of robots to perform tasks.
Type: Multiple 1st Generation Robots working together.
However, recent innovations in AI and production systems are changing the make-up of these types of teams.
Machine to Machine (M2M)
Machine to Machine refers to networking of robots together to share information and instructions. Common applications involve remote monitoring of worksites and product restocking.
The use of sorting robots improves efficiency, accuracy and security during the sorting process and also saves 70% of manual work, dramatically reducing labor costs. This "AI and logistics" model is now sweeping across the express delivery industry.
GE Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics team uses networked sensors and systems to manage large industrial installations.