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.

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.

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.

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.

-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.

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.

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.

The controller also has a memori to store:

-Software

-Data

-Cartesian coordinates

-Polar coordinates

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.

• Hydraulic

• Pneumatic

• Electric

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

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.

• Logic can be more complex

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

• Microchips are cheaper and more durable

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.

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.