Applications of Automation and Robotics in Industry

Manufacturing is one of the most important application area for automation technology. There are several types of automation in manufacturing. The examples of automated systems used in manufacturing are described below.

1. Fixed automation, sometimes called «hard automation» refers to automated machines in which the equipment configuration allows fixed sequence of processing operations. These machines are programmed by their design to make only certain processing operations. They are not easily changed over from one product style to another. This form of automation needs high initial investments and high production rates. That is why it is suitable for products that are made in large volumes. Examples of fixed automation are machining transfer lines found in the automobile industry, automatic assembly machines and certain chemical processes.

2. Programmable automation is a form of automation for producing products in large quantities, ranging from several dozen to several thousand units at a time. For each new product the production equipment must be reprogrammed and changed over. This reprogramming and changeover take a period of non-productive time. Production rates in programmable automation are generally lower than in fixed automation, because the equipment is designed to facilitate product changeover rather than for product specialization. A numerical-control machine-tool is a good example of programmable automation. The program is coded in computer memory for each different product style and the machine-tool is controlled by the computer programme.

3. Flexible automation is a kind of programmable automation. Programmable automation requires time to re-program and change over the production equipment for each series of new product. This is lost production time, which is expensive. In flexible automation the number of products is limited so that the changeover of the equipment can be done very quickly and automatically. The reprogramming of the equipment in flexible automation is done at a computer terminal without using the production equipment itself. Flexible automation allows a mixture of different products to be produced one right after another.

4. General understanding:

1. What is the most important application of automation?

2. What are the types of automation used in manufacturing?

3. What is fixed automation?

4. What are the limitations of hard automation?

5. What is the best example of programmable automation?

6. What are the limitations of programmable automation?

7. What are the advantages of flexible automation?

8. Is it possible to produce different products one after another using automation technology?

 

5.Find equivalents in English in the text:

1. сфера використання

2. фіксована послідовність операцій

3. автоматичні збірні машини

4. певні хімічні процеси

5. станок з числовим програмним управлінням

6. втрачений виробничий час

7. різноманітна продукція

Explain in English what does the following mean?

1. automation technology

2. fixed automation

3. assembly machines

4. non-productive time

5. programmable automation

6. computer terminal

7. numerical-control machine-tool

 

What measuring instruments do you know? List as many as you can.

Compare your list with that of your groupmates.

 

Read to the following dialogues and learn how to name different

Devices in English.

1. Teacher: I say, Paul. What is there on the table?

Paul: There is a device there.

Teacher: What is it called, Paul?

Paul: To my mind, it is called a manometer.

Teacher: Yes, right you are. And what is a manometer?

Paul: I believe it's an instrument for measuring pressure, isn't it?

Teacher: Yes, that's right. Look, it has a scale and a pointer.

Paul: Well, I see.

 

Julia: Look here, Peter! What is there on the shelf?

Peter: There are some measuring instruments there.

Julia: What are they called?

Peter: They are called thermometers.

Julia: And what is a thermometer?

Peter: Well, a thermometer is an instrument for measuring

temperature of different bodies, liquids and gases.

Julia: OK, I see. Thank you, Peter.

Peter: You are welcome.

 

 

LESSON 5

Robots in Manufacturing.

1. Learn the new words and put them into your vocabularies:

handling — ставлення

transfer — передача, перенос

location — місцезнаходження

pick up — підбирати

arrangement — положення

to utilize — утилізувати

gripper — захват

to grasp — хапати

spot welding — точкове зварювання

continuous — неперервний

arc welding — електродуговая зварка

spray painting — красіння розпиленням

frame — рама

spray-painting gun — розпилювач фарби

grinding — шліфування

polishing — полірування

spindle — шпиндель

manual — ручний

labour — праця

hazardous — небезпечний

shift — зміна

automation -автоматизація

previously - раніше

sequence - послідовність

aid - допомога

to substitute - заміняти

to resemble - походити

simplification -спрощення

to monitor - контролювати

sensor – чутливий елемент