Automated Systems and
Industrial Applications
Standard Grade
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
What is an automated System?
An Automated system is a system where
• the user provides the input
• the computer carries out the process
defined by the program
• the computer then provides the user
with the output
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Examples of Automated Systems
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Automatic washing machine
Microwave oven
Digital camera
Video recorder
Car manufacture
Bread making
….
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Why use an Automated System?
• are faster than humans
• can be programmed to do repetitive tasks
• are more efficient than humans (can work
accurately and continuously with no need
for rest/meal breaks).
• can be used in dangerous/harmful places
• are adaptable – can be reprogrammed to
carry out different tasks.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
How do they work?
• All automated systems are controlled by
a program
• Most systems use sensors to provide
feedback – this allows the program to
react to it’s working environment
• The motion of an automated system is
usually performed by a motor
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Example of feedback
Picking up an egg.
If the gripper goes too far,
it breaks the egg.
If the gripper does not go far enough, it
doesn’t pick the egg up.
If the gripper ”can feel” when it touches the
egg, it can pick the egg up every time.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Other examples
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Washing machine
Traffic lights
Automatic lifts
Digital cameras (speed/aperture
settings and focus)
• …..
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Sensors
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Pressure
Heat
Light
Magnetic
Infrared
…….
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Robots
• Robots can be stationary or mobile
• The direction of the movement of a
mobile robot can be controlled by
magnetic or light guides
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Robot parts
• Some robot parts resemble human
limbs.
• Their components are called :
• Waist, Shoulder, Arm, Elbow, Wrist
• The end of a robot arm can have a tool
attached to do certain tasks:
• gripper, spray can, suction cup, …
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
More Robots
• Guided robots (autonomous guided
vehicles - AGV)
• autonomous – works on it’s own
• types of guides/sensors
• Remotely operated vehicles - ROV
• E.g. bomb disposal, deep sea vehicle
• Intelligent robot
• Incorporates an expert system.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
The Interface
Automated systems work in the real
world performing real tasks that have to
be linked in some way to a computer
system. The meeting point between a
computer and something or (someone)
outside of it is called the interface. The
biggest problem the interface has to cope
with is the difference between two types
of signal - analogue and digital
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Analogue
An analogue signal is one which is
continuously variable between two limits.
That means it can have any value (within
limits) at any time.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Digital
An digital signal is one which is changes in
discrete steps between two limits.
That means it can only have certain values
at certain times.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Analogue/Digital Conversion
The big problem is the real world is
essentially analogue and computers work
digitally. So we need to convert
• from analogue to digital
• to get data into the computer.
• from digital to analogue
• to get information out of the computer.
This is one of the tasks carried out by the
Standard Grade Automated
interface
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Programs
• Automated systems are controlled by programs.
• A program is usually a list of instructions.
• The program can be in
• A high level language
• A control language
• The program can be
• held in ROM
• part of an embedded system
• The program will work in real time.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Programming
Programs can be entered
• through the keyboard
• by lead-through programming,
sometimes called programming by
example.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Simulation
Simulation
• a computer version of a real-life situation
• use of a computer-based model to predict
the behaviour of a system.
• a representation of a situation or problem
with a similar but simpler model or a more
easily manipulated model in order to
determine experimental results.
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Examples of simulation
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flying a plane
driving a car
designing an office block
designing a bridge
weather prediction
…
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
3D modelling and Virtual Reality
• 3D modelling
• A 3-dimensional representation on a
computer screen
• Virtual reality
• A 3-dimensional representation in which
the user is immersed. Usually involves
the use of headsets, gloves, …
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
CAD/CAM
The use of CAD and CAM is very
important in industry
• CAD - Computer Aided Design
• CAM - Computer Aided Manufacture
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Technical (safety) implications
• Must make sure moving parts of machines
are covered
• Sensors fitted to robots to avoid collisions
• Robots/vehicles programmed to move
about slowly so workers are not injured
• Robots programmed to work only when in
position
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Workplace implications
In cases of industrial automation we must
consider:
• design of workplace
• modern factory
• need for systems analysis
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Social implications
• Loss of those jobs where computers can
do tasks faster and cheaper
• Re-training of staff
• People’s skills will change
• More leisure time for society
• More people will work from home with
increased use of networks
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Economic implications
• High initial cost
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System analysis
design of workplace
hardware
software
Training
• Replacement costs
• Long term savings
• no wages or facilities to be supplied
• increased productivity
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications
Automated Systems and
Industrial Applications
End of presentation
Standard Grade
Standard Grade Automated
Systems and Industrial
Applications