3. DEFINATION
ROBOTICS :
.Robotics is a branch of engineering and science that includes electronics engineering,
mechanical engineering and computer science and so on.
. This branch deals with the design, construction, use to control robots, sensory
feedback and information processing.
ROBOT :
*A robot is an electromechanical device that is reprogrammable, multifunctional
and sensible for environment.
4. The following is a summary of events that have marked changes in
the direction of this industry.
1922: Czech author Karel Capek wrote a story called Rossum’s
Universal Robots and introduced the word robota (worker).
1946: George Devol developed the magnetic controller, a playback
device. Eckert and Mauchley built the ENIAC computer at the University
of Pennsylvania.
1952: The first numerically controlled machine was built at MIT.
1954: George Devol developed the first programmable robot.
1955: Denavit and Hartenberg developed homogeneous transformation
matrices.
1961: U.S. patent was issued to George Devol for ‘‘Programmed Article
Transfer’’ a basis for Unimate TM robots.
1962: Unimation TM was formed, the first industrial robots appeared,
and GM installed its first robot from Unimation TM.
HISTORY :
5. 1967: Unimate TM introduced Mark II TM robot. The first robot was imported
to Japan for paint spraying applications.
1968: An intelligent robot called Shakey was built at the Stanford Research
Institute (SRI).
1972: IBM worked on a rectangular coordinate robot for internal use. It
eventually developed the IBM 7565 for sale.
1973: Cincinnati Milacron TM introduced T 3 model robot which became
very popular in industry.
1978: The first PUMA robot was shipped to GM by Unimation TM.
1982: GM and Fanuc of Japan signed an agreement to build GM Fanuc
robots.
1983: Robotics became a very popular subject, both in industry as well as
academia. Many programs in the nation started teaching robotic courses.
6. 1986: Honda introduced its first humanoid robot called H0. First Asimo
was introduced in 2000.
2005: Between January and March, over 5,300 robots were ordered by the
North American manufacturing companies at a value of $302 million.
2002: iRobot introduces Roomba, a personal robotic vacuum cleaner.
2003: Osaka University unveils their first 'Actroid', the term given for a
humanoid robot with strong visual human characteristics.
2004: The Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity land on Mars. As of
November 25th, 2009. The rover Spirit has completed 2150 days of its
92-day mission.
2010: NASA and General Motors join forces to develop Robonaut-2,
the new version of NASA's humanoid robot astronaut.
7. APPLICATION OF ROBOTICS IN THE INDUSTRY :
Painting: It is a difficult and unhealthy operation, where hazardous fumes are released that
are extremely dangerous for human beings, and in which a danger of explosion exists in the
areas of operation. Furthermore, manual painting results are not consistent due to
unpredictable speed of movement of the components involved in this process.
• Investment Casting: Investment casting requires duplication, accuracy, and uniformity in
production, all of which can be achieved with employment of industrial robots.
• Integration of Parts: The integration of parts in various sub systems of production is an
important application where robots can function more efficiently and with extra speed, thus
assisting in the increase of production rate. Presently, robots are being used for tightening of
bolts and nuts, placing of components in circuit boards, and a variety of other similar tasks.
Logic devices are used for identification and rectification of defects or inconsistencies.
8. Die casting: The robot unloads parts from the die casting machine. Peripheral operations sometimes
performed by the robot include dipping the parts into a water bath for cooling.
Plastic molding: Plastic molding is a robot application similar to die casting. The robot is used to
unload molded parts from the injection molding machine.
Machining operations: The robot is used to load raw blanks into the machine tool and unload
finished parts from the machine. The change in shape and size of the part before and after machining
often presents a problem in end effector design; and dual grippers are often used to deal with this
issue.
Forging: The robot is typically used to load the raw hot billet into the die, hold it during the forging
blows and remove it from the forge hammer. The hammering action and the risk of damage to the
die or end effector are significant technical problems. Forging and related processes are difficult as
robot applications because of the severe conditions under which the robot must operate.
Heat treating: These are often relatively simple operations in which the robot loads and/or unloads
parts from a furnace.
Spot Welding: Robots perform spot welding very accurately, with recurring operations, and
are extensively being used in automotive industry. They can extend to places which normally
would be difficult to reach by manual welding.
