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A robot is a machine that performs a task or a variety of tasks automatically following a program. A program is a list of orders.

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Control is the part of the robot which is dedicated to regulating and governing the actions of the robot according to real-life situations.

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Actuator (arm)

Most robots are "robotic arms". The actuator has a "manipulator" and a system of articulations. The manipulator acts on the product which passes along the production line.

The system of articulations moves manipulator to the correct place.

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Electric power system

AC and DC motors require constant control.

Step-by-step motors don't require sensors for position control, they move a number of steps forward or backwards.

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Pneumatic power systems

Pneumatic power systems use compressed air as energy. A compressor compresses the air into a tank. THe compressed air travels from the tank though a system of pipes and valves to the cylindres.

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Hydraulic power system

Hydraulic power system use the pressure in oul as energy. An oil pump adds pressure to the oil from a tank. The oil travels through a system of pipes. THe oil moves the actuators and then returns to the tank.

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Position sensors

-Inductive sensors: Detect metallic objects without touching them.

-Limit switches: If something presses the lever, thy are on; if not, they are off.

-LDRs: LDR's resistance increases and no electricity flows, resistance decreases and electricity flows.

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Is the microprocessor that receives the signals from the sensors "decides" what the actuators must do, an the "tells" the actuator and the articulations of the arm when to move or stop.

The controller also has a memori to store:

-Software

-Data

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Force sensors

Different kinds of force sensors detect different forces. When we want to tighten a bolt, the "manipulator" of the robot is a spanner with a sensor that detects the tightening force. When the sensor detects that the force is big, the robot stops.

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Depending on the coordinate system

-Cartesian coordinates

-Polar coordinates

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Temperature sensors

When the temperature rises above another value, the sensor tells the system to stop. They are also used as safety devices in machines which have a risk of overheating.

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Depending on the degrees of freedom

The degrees of freedom are the number of axis along which the robotic arm can move, or around which the arm of the robot can rotate.

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Depending on the energy used

Hydraulic

Pneumatic

Electric

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Most robots "work" on production lines, especially where the activity is repetitive, dangerous or tiring.

Robots are generally used if they have one or more of the following advantages:

More economical than person

Faster than a person

Can work 24 hours a day

Produce better quality

Can work in dangerous places

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The regulation is designed to be automatic so that the system can function without human intervention.

Real time control systems

They process small amounts of input data so that the output is immediate.

They have "feedback loops", so the output affects the input.

There are many different types of output One type of output are the "actuators". Actuators can be complex, like a robotic arm, or simple, like a switch.

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In the first half of the 20th century, robots that worked with relays were first used. These automatisms were simle but functional. For example, in lifts, someone had to press a button to indicate the desired floor. The lift would stop automatically at the correct floor thanks to a relay.

Logic can be more complex

Robots are programmable: a programmer can change the logic (software) or the parameters.

Microchips are cheaper and more durable

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Artificial intelligence is the capacity of the microprocessor to "learn from experience.

It also knows from "experience" that in the afternoon most people call the lift from the upper floors.

The microprocessor can decide that:

In the morning, the lift will "wait" on the ground floor.

In the afternoon, the lift will "wair" on the 5th floor.

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Nano robots

Nano means "one million times smaller than the unit"

1mm = 1/1,000m

1mm = 1/1,000,000 m

The name "nano robots" refers to their very small size.