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.
The introduction of robots to an assembly lines had a major impact on the labour force, often making skilled workers redundant in favour of a technician who can maintained equip a large number of robots.
- Primary characteristics of robots:
- Work envelope: The 3D space a robot can operate within, considering clearance and reach
- Load capacity: Within this context, the weight a robot can manipulate.
- Single-task robots – can only carry out one task at a time
- Multi-task robots – can carry out more than one task at a time
- Teams of robots – groups of robots carry out similar tasks
Teams - Machine to machine (M2M) – where wireless and wired systems communicate between devices to share information or send instructions. More information here.
Advantages of using robotic systems in production.
- Improve health and safety of workforce.
- High accuracy of work – reduced errors and waste ($$$). Quality of final product is up.
- Perform repetitive and dangerous tasks
- Work in confined spaces.
- Perform functions 24/7 leading to higher production
- Reprogrammability or flexible
Disadvantages of using robotic systems in production
- Expertise needed to operate such systems.
- Training of workers required in both operation and maintenance.
- High initial capital cost
Robot Generations
This robotee summaries it well
- First-generation robots are a simple mechanical arm that has the ability to make precise motions at high speed. They need constant supervision by a human operator.
- Second-generation robots are equipped with sensors that can provide information about their surroundings. They can synchronize with each other and do not require constant supervision by a human; however, they are controlled by an external control unit.
- Third-generation robots are autonomous and can operate largely without supervision from a human. They have their own central control unit. Swarms of smaller autonomous robots also fit in this category.
They are not industrial but it does illustrate the autonomous interactions with their environment.
When addressing robots in automated production, students are expected to understand the contexts that different robots are used in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVLbtrlL5_E
International-mindedness:
The use of robots in automated production can depend on the local cost of manual labour.
Theory of knowledge:
Technology in the form of robots currently serves man. Is man’s place secure? Will the nature of man change due to technological enhancement? Will he be superseded altogether by technological developments?