Robots in Industries and How They Work - Essay Example

INTRODUCTION In simple basic illustration, robots are machines implemented to behave like human beings. In the advanced stages, robots tend to take functionalities of imagination. Robots are applicable in industries in processes that are very dangerous, boring, in hazardous environment, and onerous. They can be in auto, spacecraft, manufacture processes, medical field, and industries. There are a million types of robots available in the world now but all employ basic operation principles of robotics. Their control is by electronic components with firmware that guide the movement and processes of the robot. The robot has imitated the human arm in most cases because this is where it receives application in industries. Background information Regardless of the robot developed and application specification for it, robots have some basic characteristics that define them. Sensing is a key feature in robot development. They should be able to sense the environment around them. To be able to articulate this principle sensors like light sensors, sonar sensors, touch sensors and chemical sensors can be adopted to implement the robot (Anderson). A motionless robot is not a robot. The robot should have the ability to move in its environment. Using wheels, rollers, legs, and or thrusters can make the robot move to perform its tasks. Care is taken during application of the robot to ensure the environment does not harm the robot or vice versa. Owing to the use of electronic components and codes to give it logical sequence guide in its operation, means they utilize energy (Cordeschi). Because of its movement capabilities, its design should put consideration into powering itself. A degree of intelligence needs injecting into the robot design. This is the ability of a robot to be smart. Programming is the playground to implement the smartness of the robot as it works in the environment. The programs guide the robot on what to and not do. In general, a robot is a combination of sensors, power supplies, manipulators, control systems and software all gear to one task. Robots in industries Robots for industrial use rotate through three different axes. They achieve applications in the field of assembly, welding, pick, and placing objects, packaging, and inspection of products, testing, and painting. In fact, the said field of application requires endurance, fastness, and utmost precision (Igor Aleksander). This entirely are features that a robot can be designed to achieve. How robots work Robots in every manner attempt to imitate the human being. About this, analyzing a human body goes along way into debriefing the robot behavior. Beings have body structure, muscle system, sensory or nerve system, brain, and power source that activate the muscles and sensors. Without mentioning the intelligence part in depth, the robot in all aspect of its physical outfit has all the components as human beings do. Typically, robots have a movable structure, sensor system, a motor, power supply and a brain in the form of a computer. The computer is the main control Centre or else the robot is immobile. Robot on wheels and other body joints make use of actuators. This can be electric motors, pneumatic, hydraulic systems, and solenoid equipment (Anderson). The components as mentioned above need powering either from battery or direct line from wall power. For hydraulic robots, their cases are different because they need pumps for fluids while pneumatic robots will do with air compressors. Actuators, power source and control system are wired into a functional electrical circuit that is powered. Due to power, motors, pumps, and solenoids come alive. The control center switches valves and motors accordingly. Robots have programmability feature hence the code can be changed to suit a particular new function. Using the sensors attached to it, robots, can navigate well in their environment owing to their ability to see with the aid of the sensor system. Robotic arm is the popular robot found in industrial application. The arm is able to move through three axes or through six axis. Stepper motors are he most precise when it comes to position precision while ordinary motors are very good with speed. They can move in the x-direction, y-direction and z-direction to move in a direction desired as commanded by the program. In performing the activity time and again, the robots, accomplishes task assigned without fatigue and ever-high efficiency. Case for robots Many reasons can be put forward to explain the use of robots in industries. The obvious and most perceived reason for using robots is to replace human operator. Robots are known to perform duties faster with precision for a very long time giving them preference over human operators. In the modern highly competitive market shape, companies are downsizing and embracing technology for them to stand a competitive advantage. Robots will save on labor demands and subsequently reduce costs. Other reasons are inherent in the very process of developing products. Humans may be considered bad for products for example in the production of semi conductor components. The vice versa case also holds true. When the products from the process are harmful to human beings. Cases of such reasons occur in radioactive plants. When work involved is monotonously repetitive and causes strain syndrome. In addition, some industrial machines pose great danger to human beings. Some materials too have negative impacts on human being. These reasons contribute a great deal to the use and implementation of robot operated processes. Machining of vehicle engine parts, require very high precision and quality of products should always remain at a high level. For this reason, robots are incorporated into the machining activity. Other applications that require quality in their processes are gluing operations, color spraying, testing and gauging laboratory routines, and assembly of components that make up a functional body, trimming and de-burring. However, quality is a relative affair, quite dependent on the human interpreter. Robots on top of achieving quality, they are consistent contrary to humans who succumb to fatigue (Bringsjord). Common examples of robots available in industries R2D2 and C-3PO: This intelligent robot has the ability to speak. Sonys AIBO: this is a Robot in the form of a dog, which learns from human beings. Hondas ASIMO: has the ability to walk using two legs like those that people use. Industrial robots: An automatic robotic machines that assembles products. Data: This is the almost human robot Bomb-defusing robots NASAs Mars rovers HAL: The ships computer Robomower: The lawn-mowing robot MindStorms: LEGOs most liked robotics kit Conclusion Robots are very helpful in industries. It is my view that because of their speed, quality, precision, efficiency, and consistency, they help industries increase productivity. This increases profits while reducing costs and keeping jobs within the industry set up. When an organization capitalizes on speed and the fact that they cannot become tired, robots can increase number of products output from the plant. When quality products are delivered to the market, customer trust for those particular goods is boosted. This will make a business worthy the time in operation. For hazardous operation that might have effects on human operators, production does not stop because robots will perform at those stations. Robots are no doubt the way to go for industries. With increased use of robotics, invention increases, and more intelligence will be part of future robots. There are a million types of robots available in the world now but all employ basic operation principles of robotics. Their control is by electronic components with firmware that guide the movement and processes of the robot. The robot has imitated the human arm in most cases because this is where it receives application in industries. References Anderson, Susan Leigh. "Three Laws of Robotics and Machine Metaethics." AI and Society (2008): 477-493. Bringsjord, Selmer. "Ethical Robots: The Future Can Heed Us. ." AI and Society (2007): 539-550. Chella, Antonio. "Towards Robot Conscious." Imprint Academic (2007): 124-140. Cordeschi, Roberto. The Discovery of the Artificial: Behavior, Mind and Machines Before and Beyond Cybernetics. New York: Wiley and sons Inc., 2002. Igor Aleksander, Susan Stuart & Tom Ziemke. "Assessing Artificial Consciousness." journal of consciousness studies (2008): 95-110. Read More