History of Robots used in Manufacturing - Research Paper Example

Robot Research Project History of Robots used in Manufacturing George Devol designed the pioneer robot in 1954. Together with Joseph Engelberger, Devol developed the robot that had the capability to transfer objects through a radius of twelve feet. Its accuracy was low (Malone 1). Unimation designed the first robot, Unimate, in 1961, that was used by General Motors (GM) in 1962, inTernstedt plant located in New Jersey. It was applicable in making windows, doors and gearshift knobs. In 1962, The American Machine and Foundry (AMF) designed the Versatran robot (Angelo 44). It was installed at Ford manufacturing plant in Canton. In 1967, Unimate was installed in Sweden at Metallverken. In 1970, Hitachi, a Japanese company, developed a robot that was applicable in assembling objects based on drawings. It was the first intelligent robot ever made. The First Robot designed by George Devol in 1954 (Adapted from Malone 1) In 1971, KUKA, a robotics company in Germany, designed hydraulic robots that were used in the manufacture of Daimler-Benz. KUKA further developed the Famulus in 1973. The robot had axes that were electronically operated. Prof. Victor Scheinman developed the Silver Arm robot in 1974 (Moran 103). The robot had the capability of performing assembling work of small-parts joints. It utilized touch as well as pressure sensors for feedback to detect commands. In 1975, ASEA, a European Company, developed the ASEA IRB robot. It marked the first electronically operated robot. In addition, it was microprocessor-controlled. Furthermore, it used Intel’s chipsets. In 1977, Yaskawa America Inc. developed the Motoman L10 robot. The robot’s functionality was greater compared to previous ones made. It could move a mass of 10 kg. In 1978, Prof. Victor Scheinman designed the PUMA robot.GM applied the robot in its assembly line.In 1979, Nachi Robotics, a Japanese company, designed the gun technology robot that was applicable in spot welding. In the same year, 1979, OTC Japan designed arc-welding robots. The Silver Arm Robot, 1974 (Adapted from Moran 108) During and after the 1980s, scientists designed robots that were of high efficiency, greater performance and microprocessor-controlled. In 1980, there was the first ever use of machine visions, tested at Rhode Island using a robotics system that picks scattered parts in random orientation and positions. In the same year, Hitachi, a Japanese company, designed the process robot (PW-10) at exclusively used rotary type reducers. In 1981, Takeo Kanade developed a robotic arm. The robotic arm was under the control of motors positioned at its joints, a feature that rendered it accurate and efficient. In 1988, Yaskawa American Inc. designed the MotomanERC control system that was capable of controlling twelve axes (Robotworx 1). The 1988 Motoman ERC Control System (Adapted from RobotWorx 1) In 1992, the potential prototype of an intelligent robot was designed by FANUC robotics. In 1994, Yaskawa American Inc. upgraded the MotomanERC control system, formerly designed in 1988, to enhance its functionality. The latest control system designed in 1994 used 21 axes. In 1998, the introduction of Motoman XRC controller was a major move in the design of industrial robots. Its functionality was high because it supported 27 axes and could coordinate the movements of three or four combined robots. After 2000 to present, there have been remarkable advancements in robotics functionality and efficiency. Their applicability in manufacturing has increased across diverse sectors. Current state of development of robotic in manufacturing Manufacturers are considering robots as smarter and safer in automotive areas of manual work, and many industries believe that their introduction would help in edging competition. Robots decrease setup times, making the manufacturing process more flexible to suit changes in demand and supply in the market. Robots increase manufacturing precision, production consistency, decreasing the unit cost of labor and eliminating work-related accidents and injuries. Application of robots in aerospace manufacturing is a useful trend where robots access difficult locations such as shipping areas. Shipment authorities enforce the use of robots in loading and offloading cargoes at the ports (ASME 1). Manufacturers prefer robots in shipment as they have a relatively faster rate of performing duties and capability of doing a task for a longer period. Developing of a new manufacturing process for micro-electromechanically systems, (MEMS) assist a smaller firms to improve their productions. MEMS are a high precision modular robot that designs and execute-driven planning and scheduling tools for small manufacturing enterprises. Micro-electromechanically, systems of manufacturing strategies give a relevant opportunity for potential customs in producing a sophisticated microsystem. A system an application spans an inertia sensor arrays to pilot and miniature in manufacturing of biomedical implants. The commercial growth of 3-dimension dissimilar Microsystems would boost and stimulate agile robotics manufacturing at large scale. (MEMS as used in Cell Phone Assembly. Adapted from Carnegie Mellon University 1) Some industries use robots in logistic manufacturing where planning and execution steps follow strict real-time data streams to the present firm state and the most recent trend. Logistic planning helps the company to scrutinize the data mining and to understand machine techniques aiming at the optimization of factories objectives. A logistic system facilitates the development of procedures and increasing production and supply network plans that reflect accurate Demand/Supply structures commonly in manufacturing data. Manufacturers may use robots to develop algorithms that serve purposes of coordinating locomotion of multiple, material-handling machines. The machines under the control of robots are timely in delivering of tooling, fixtures and parts especially in mobile manufacturing assembling factory. Chances of producing quality products using robots in assemblage process compared to human effort are high and precise (Bill 1). An example of particular manufacturing robot is an aircraft/Automobile painting. (Robots used in Automobile Painting. Adapted from Carnegie Mellon University 1) Globalization as a new trend in the marketing communities is contributing a serious competitive platforms thus forcing manufacturers to initiate security strategies in developing a market niche for their products. Robots heave ability to produce a mass output that are efficient, accurate, and of standard value at a relatively faster speed. Manufacturers resort to robots because they are cheaper and flexible in their applications. Management can apply new projects in existing manufacturing plants without any technical hic-up. Robots would provide efficient improvements in existing plan efficiencies because of their flexibility nature technicians could improve operation without redesign of equipment and the production lines. Food manufacturing industries use robots in maintaining a reputable hygiene and unique needs of both industry and customers. Food manufacture involves a tedious, and repetitive process that a person may not easily cope up with thus management would opt for robots. Robots face neither injury nor illness resulting in a continuous production process at a relatively lower cost. (Robots used in Making Airplane Arm. Adapted from Carnegie Mellon University 1) Producers may use a robot in packaging and branding. Robot’s operator ensures that gadgets furnish and pack manufactured goods. Most of the robots have programs for dealing with plastic materials such as Baxter and other similar robots that manufacturers use in United States and Europe (Knight 1). Robots would boost efficiency for smaller producers in competing larger firms with a relatively greater number of laborers. Robot’s Future Development in Manufacturing Because of the changing technology and industrial revolution, many manufacturing management will invest in advancing the robots to complete certain tasks that are risky and strenuous for humans to undertake. The robots neither get sick not become tired hence will suit and serve the dynamic changing society and high rising population that demand higher amounts of production. In the future development of robots, there will be a capability of reprogramming them to serve as co-workers and fit the positions that other unqualified human personnel could occupy. The development will help in elimination of chances of low-quality productions and high expenses on hiring human labor thus maximizing profits to the manufacturing industries (Bissonnette 1). The robots serving as customer care agents will help in eliminating chances of poor customer relations that could otherwise arise from human emotional instability. Therefore, the future robots will significantly transform the manufacturing sector making it emulateable by other sectors. According to Blomdell et al., the contemporary manufacturing society uses robots to manage effectively fully structured and specified tasks (92). However, there exist shortcomings of lack of knowledge and experience in commanding and instructing the robots to complete tasks (Blomdell et al. 92). A future progress will develop robots that understand the human instructions and have the capability of handling larger tasks and workpiece alterations. The move will make the robots easier to work with without any need to understand a program. The development will aid achievement of high efficiency in terms of robotic use and timely productions in the manufacturing sectors relaying commands will be easier. Koren asserts that a revolutionary change in the manufacturing techniques and management objects automated control mechanisms. Robots would monitor and control operations ranging from the product design stage to manufacturing and assembly stages (Koren 1). The researchers and robot manufacturers should aim at programming flexible robots capable of shifting roles and tasks to manage and solely run operations. The move will reduce congestions experienced in the industries and improve high capacity of production since the robots have the capability of operating 24 hours in a day without exhaustion. There will also be efficiency as the robots will undertake and complete tasks as per assigned and programmed to it. The high capacity of productions and improved quality of outputs because of improved efficiency will boost the manufacturing sectors’ competitive advantage in the global market. Future robots will aid the achievement of precision, speed, and certainty in the manufacturing industry. According to research Nunes, robots are excellent at precision especially in tasks involving complex part placement. At a higher speed of task execution, this will help in attracting more clients especially those served on order (Nunes 5). The future robots will advance the technology at a higher rate because of the increased speed of invented systems manufacture, testing, and implementation. The robots will also be capable of supervising their tasks and correcting the messes detected instantly. The future development will reduce and eliminate the losses often arising from insufficient supervision of the manufactured items. Works Cited Angelo, Joseph A. Robotics: A Reference Guide to the New Technology. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2007. Print. ASME Membership. “Robotics.” Present State, Future Trends. August 2011. Web. May 18, 2015. Bill, LydonI. FR.” Robots Improve Manufacturing Success & Create Jobs.” IFR International Federation of Robotics (2013). Web. May 18, 2015. Bissonnette, Angela B. "Job Information Sources and Applicant Perceptions: Antecedents, Correlates, and Outcomes." Order No. NR75197 Saint Marys University (Canada), 2010. Web. May 18, 2015. Blomdell, Anders, et al. "Extending an industrial robot controller-implementation and applications of a fast open sensor interface." IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine 12.3 (2005): 85-94. Carnegie Mellon University. Manufacturing.2015. Web. May 18, 2015. Knight, Will.” This Robot Could Transform Manufacturing.” MIT Technology Review (2012). Web. May 18, 2015 < http://www.technologyreview.com/news/429248/this-robot-could-transform-manufacturing/> Koren, Yoram. Robotics for Engineers. Vol. 168. New York et al: McGraw-Hill, 1985. Malone, Bob. George Devol: A Life Devoted to Invention, and Robots. IEEE Spectrum. 26 Sep 2011. Web. May 18, 2015 Moran, Michael E. "Evolution of robotic arms.” Journal of robotic surgery 1.2 (2007): 103-111. Nunes, Janine. "How Robots Helped Peterson Manufacturing Remain Competitive - and Remain in the United States." Robotics World 23.7 (2005): 5-6. Robotworx. Yaskawa Motoman Robot History. 2015. Web. May 18, 2015 Read More