25. MEC 732: Automated Manufacturing Systems

25.1 Resources

• The library has an excellent selection of journals, reference books, trade magazines, and textbooks. (Other local libraries could also be used)

25.1.2.1 - Mosaic documents:

• Using workstations, or IBM PCs equipped with mosaic software, run the software, and open the files below.

• Rapid Prototyping:

http://www.cs.hut.fi/~ado/rp

http://www.arc.ab.ca/~morgan/RP.html

http://sffoffice.me.utexas.edu/

• VR In manufacturing

http://nemo.ncsl.nist.gov/~sressler/projects/mfg/mfgVRcases.html

25.1.2.2 - Telnet

• Telnet allows free connection to sites, and is available on all UNIX machines

AWS Caucus (amweld.org), Sponsored by the American Welding Society. Topic; Flux-cored-arc-welding, ISO9000, technical help, certification, a database of Welding Journal articles.

FEDWORLD (fedworld.gov) Sponsored by National Technical Information Service. Gateway to over 130 government bbs’

TMS Online (online.tms.org), Sponsored by The Minerals, Metals, Materials Society. Has conference proceedings, announcements, calendar. (see telnet above)

25.1.2.3 - Modem

• A list of Bulletin boards, etc. are given below for phoneup access to information (Note: you will at least pay long distance for these, and possibly user charges also)

AWS Caucus (800) 447-9915, 9600 baud (see telnet above), Sponsored by the American Welding Society. Topic; Flux-cored-arc-welding, ISO9000, technical help, certification, a database of Welding Journal articles.

Business Gold--NTTC Online (304)243-2560, 9600baud 7bit, Even parity, 1 stop, Sponsored by the National Technology Transfer Center. Access to the directory of federal laboratories, federal technology available for licencing, and small business innovative research solicitations. Current technology transfer news, events calendar, and publications list.

Computer Plumber BBS (319)337-6723, 19,200 baud. Devoted to engineers who work with industrial applications of computers. Shareware files. System operator maintains extensive bbs list.

The Depot BBS (717)853-3599, 14.4 kbaud. Extensive collection of CAD, CAM, and CAE related shareware and discussion groups (conferences).

Digital X-Connect BBS (214)517-8443 9600 baud. General information of interest to engineers, technicians, and technical managers. Free on-line resume service and job postings.

EBB--Economic Bulletin Board (202)482-2584, 9600 baud, $45 annual subscription fee and per minute charges. Operated by US department of commerce. topics: economic data, export leads, and market research, press releases from various US government agencies.

FEDWORLD (703)321-8020, 9600 baud, Sponsored by National Technical Information Service. Gateway to over 130 government bbs’. (see telnet above)

Finishing TEchnology Hotline (201)838-0113, 2400 baud, Sponsored by Metal Finishing magazine, Topics: painting, anodizing, pickling, powder coating, commercials suppliers, etc.

HMIX BBS Hazardous Materials Information Exchange (708)972-3275, 9600 baud. Topics: material lists, instructional material, laws, regulations, US govt. contacts.

Industrial Forum (209)267-9379, 14.4 kbaud, Sponsored by CCI Training Services. Topics: surface preparation, painting, coating, paper and pulp mills, pipelines and tanks, inspection and quality control, environmental control, govt regulations.

MatChat BBS (510)655-1753, 14.4 kbaud. A materials oriented bulletin board system.

MechEng (ASME) (608)233-3378, 9600 baud Basically a very wide range of discussion topics, and software for IBM PCs and MacIntoshes.

MIC-NET (Manufacturing and Inventory Control Network) (719) 687-7222, 28kbaud, Software: MRP, Inventory control, mechanical engineering, TQM, SPC.

SME On-Line (313)271-3424, 14.4 kbaud. Manufacturing related freeware and shareware, discussion groups, etc.

Statistics BBS (316)687-0578, 9600 baud, Topics: reliability, quality, experiment design, SPC, industrial statistics.

TMS Online (412)776-2040, 2400 baud, Sponsored by The Minerals, Metals, Materials Society. Has conference proceedings, announcements, calendar. (see telnet above)

• Contact equipment manufacturers, they might help you, or even provide technical details.

• Contact manufacturers that use the process, their production engineers may be able to help.

• Trade shows.

• Be creative!

25.1.3.1 - ftp

• Popular Sites,

wuarchive.wustl.edu: massive archives of software, a very old site.

sunsite.unc.ca: a site sponsored by Sun Microsystems, with a good selection of software for all platforms

25.2 Project

Option A: Case Study (Subject to change)

A commercial product will be selected (the chosen product must be approved by the course instructor) by a team of students (4 is reasonable). The project will be an existing product that is disassembled, and examined. In detail, all methods for automated production will be suggested, including some changes to the product to make it easier to manufacture. After this is complete, a manufacturing facility will be proposed by the team, including equipment selection, layout, connections, estimates for cycle time, testing/inspection, etc.

The form of the case study will be left up to the students, and the evaluation will be based on a final report, and a presentation. Creativity and completeness are a must, mediocre work will receive mediocre marks. Detailed drawings, specific equipment to be ordered, reasons and justification for the design are some of the elements required.

Option B: Project (Subject to change)

This section will allow for students to gain NEW exposure to some aspect of manufacturing technology. The projects should be related to some aspect of automated manufacturing. The list of topics below suggests some possible ideas,

Build a small robot

Investigate some manufacturing software critically

Write a program for some manufacturing task

Use Ideas for design of a product.(cate)

Suggest a topic.......

The nature of this project is arbitrary, and any topic suggested should be discussed with the course instructor, and a short (1 paragraph) description should be given to the course instructor for the benefit of the student. The project will culminate with a report, and presentation, and demonstrations where applicable.

Special Notes: Students are expected to declare their intentions by Sept., 23, 1993. This includes topics, teams, and a tentative deadline schedule. The outline should be less than1page. (no marks are assigned for this)

MEC 732 Project Summaries (Final): October 17th, 1995

NOTE: Any deviations from the project details printed here are the full responsibilities of the students.

Group Project

Alex Wong “Hole in Sphere Project”

Robert Krygier

Andre Cargnelli

Ahmed Nensey Description: A mechanism will be designed and built for orienting spherical balls with small through holes. This will be done with a mechanism that uses three rollers for orientation, and an optical pair to detect the hole. An electromechanical control system will be used.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Constantine Roumanis “Drink Mixer”

John Leung

Dan Dellosa Description: A system will be designed and built to mix various drinks. This will include a conveyor, sensors, actuators, and drink dispensers. The system will be controlled with a PLC. Note: This project will have a number of design complications that must be identified early in the term.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Lev Mordichaev “Automated Robot Arm”

Karl Fung

Dennis Ngo

Nikko Chan

Edwin Wen

Elaine Rodrigues Description: A robot arm will be designed and built that can move up/down, left/right, and has a gripper that will open/close. The robot will be controlled via a computer program, and electrical connections to the robot.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Nima Jahangir “Automated Impression Stamper”

Tricia Buenbrazo

John Tran

Koorosh Eslami

Dieu Ban Dang

Shahram Binesh Description: Parts will be transported to a stamping station in the workcell. Once there they will be fixed in a jig, and a rubber stamp will be used to make an ink impression. The part will then be ejected from the jig, and travel down another path.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Keith Lou “A Manually Controlled Robot”

Sue Lee

Richard Dankworth

Phat N. Huynh

Howie Lam

Tarius Makmur Description: To build a manually controlled robot to perform a certain task using a joystick for control. This small scale robot will be capable of picking up an object, and positioning it in another location. And, for proof of concept, a set of fixtures, jigs or feeders will be constructed for a simple robotic task. Note: This project has too many people for construction of a robot only.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Zulfiqar Rajper “A Wedding Video Cassette Holder”

Azim Habib

Mehraj Saju

Rajeev Gupta

Ainsley Mills

S. Ahmad Majidi Tehrani Description: Development of a design, and selection and design of an automated facility for manufacture of a video cassette holder specifically for wedding videos. Note: The final design should focus on detailed drawings, selection of specific machines, plans for implementation, etc.

Deliverables: Report, Quotations, Drawings, Implementation Plans, Layout, etc.

Dave Tufts Tentative: “Automation of Office Partition Production”

Augustin Garcia DeParedes

Mickey Obradovich

Michael Nicola Description: A line will be examined for the production of office dividers. These partitions are currently assembled in a manual process, but this should be automated for quantities of 400-600. Note: The final design should focus on detailed drawings, selection of specific machines, plans for implementation, etc.

Deliverables: Report, Quotations, Drawings, Implementation Plans, Layout, etc.

Joey Aprile “A Box Sorting System”

Don Christie

Gabe Fusco

Mike Poczo Description: A conveyor based system will be designed and built for sorting boxes by a switched conveyor path. This will include construction of the conveyor, sensors, actuators, and control system.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Brad Southon “Automated Paint Line”

Sebastian Mallia

Robert Pound Description: A current design for a ceiling fan will be examined for assembly efficiency, and a new automated assembly line will be designed. Note: The final design should focus on detailed drawings, selection of specific machines, plans for implementation, etc.

Deliverables: Report, Quotations, Drawings, Implementation Plans, Layout, etc.

Lee Wright “A New Clipping System at NR”

Mike Cecchini Description: At NR they currently use workers to manually insert clips one at a time, by hand, into a flat rubber part. This procedure is slow and has created a couple of Repetitive Motion Injuries. There have been unsatisfactory attempts by NR to resolve the problem. This groups will examine possible solutions (with NR’s permission) including, a clipping gun or tool, a cartridge loading system, a bowl feeder based reloader.

Deliverables: Report, Quotations, Drawings, Implementation Plans, Layout, etc.

Keith German “Automated Drink Dispenser”

Dave Van Den Beld

Jeff Kempson

Brent Rubeli

Michael Staples Description: Glasses on a conveyor belt (?) will be transported to/from a dispensing station where they will be filled by an automated mechanism. The system will be designed and built, possibly using a PLC, or a PC for control.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Romeo Calibuso “Flush Valve Automation System”

Naren Arcot

Nick Chung

Monica Skulj

Chinh N. Huynh Description: A flush valve system for use in porcelain toilets will be examined, redesigned, and a partially automated assembly line will be designed. Note: The final design should focus on detailed drawings, selection of specific machines, plans for implementation, etc.

Deliverables: Report, Quotations, Drawings, Implementation Plans, Layout, etc.

Gerard Biasutto “Self Leveling Platform”

Mario Borsella

Dino Farronato

Marco Gaetano

John Yuem Description: An actuated system will be designed and built to level a platform under tilting conditions. This will involve actuators positioned at four corners. A control system will be constructed to drive the actuating cylinders.

Deliverables: Working model and detailed report describing design.

Tomer Shahaf “Medical Film Lamination Machine”

Description: A pressure adjustment mechanism will be added to reduce waste, and coating of rollers.

Deliverables: Report, Quotations, Drawings, Implementation Plans, Layout, etc.

Joel Ramos “IBM Robot Simulation To Support Simulation”

Description: The IBM Robot simulators (for the AML language) will be used to simulate an assembly process, with the objective of optimizing layout of the assembly stations. Note: the assembly task should be specified.

Deliverables: AML programs, A Detailed Report including well justified conclusions.

NOTES:

1. All teams constructing equipment have been advised to start early.

2. Students have been advised that topics that have been listed here are of adequate scope, if other topic choices are made, it is at the discretion (and risk) of the individual students.

25.3 Assignments

Assignment #1

Purpose: Conceptual design of a robot for a manufacturing task.

Reason: This will help the student realize why different robots are chosen for different tasks.

Method: The assignment is to be done in teams of 4 students.

Problem: Each group will design a robot for a task, as described below. This will include analysis of the task requirements including AT LEAST, degrees of freedom, workspace, actuators, sensors, kinematics, path planning, and programming. The final design should include a clear and concise report between 5 to 10 written pages in length, describing in detail the design decisions. This report should also have drawings, or good quality hand sketches of the basic robot configuration.

(The various topics can be signed for by students on the board by S49)

1. assembly of car body panels on an automotive assembly line.

2. assembly of beams in the new space station, in orbit.

3. removal of injection molded parts from an open die.

4. mixing of radioactive solutions in test tubes.

5. an automatic CD changer in a juke box.

6. for the insertion of glass for car windshields.

7. to pack fluorescent light tubes in shipping cartons.

8. to point and fire a weapon for destruction of incoming missiles.

9. to make pizzas.

10. for cutting hair.

11. for delivering mail in an office.

12. to perform house painting.

13. for cleaning office windows on high rise buildings.

14. a robot that it used to test car doors by repeatedly opening and closing them.

15. a robot to crawl through sewer systems and look for blockages.

16. a robot that is inserted into the body to perform surgery.

17. a robot that is capable of writing like a human.

18. a sculpting robot.

19. a robot that can “wiggle it’s nose” for Walt Disney.

20. a robot for building ships in bottles.

Evaluation: Marks will be awarded on the basis of completeness of the design, and suitability of the robot to the assigned task. Marks will be deducted for unclear, vague reports and drawings.

Assignment #2

Purpose: To do detailed design/analysis of the robot concept designed in Assignment #1.

Reason: To ensure that the short comings of the design are revealed (and overcome if possible), and that the various technologies involved are explored at a professional level.

Method: Each of the four team members that cooperated on the first assignment will now select and do 1 of the four problems below. These are to be individually labeled so that individual marks can be assigned. Note: sections that are not done individually will simply not be marked.

Problem(s):

1. Do a kinematic analysis of the robot including, the forward/inverse kinematics, the workspace boundaries, singularities, and the Jacobian. The kinematic analysis should be done with both simple homogeneous transforms and the Denavit-Hartenberg to verify the results.

2. Develop a flowchart of the actions that must occur for the robot. Associate these to the sensors, and actuators of the robot. Develop a control program using either a PLC, or AML. If necessary, you may add new commands to assist you, as long as they are very clearly defined.

3. An analysis of the robot to find the accuracy, repeatability and spatial resolution must be done based on the sensors selected, actuators chosen, flexibility of joints, payload, maximum velocities, etc.

4. The end of arm tooling must either be fully designed, including drawings, or commercially selected with alternatives, and costs. In both cases the suitability of the design should be verified using suitable engineering calculations.

25.4 Problems

Problem 25.78 The main advantages of GT is,

a) labeling drawings.

b) locating similar drawings.

c) sorting drawings by name.

d) none of the above.