Moodle@Warwick

Introductory description

Fundamentals of Manufacturing.
This module provides a broad overview of the most widespread manufacturing processes that most engineering students are expected to know, covering the necessary process theory and complemented with practical elements going from process demonstrations to simulations.

Module aims

The module provides an understanding of the principles of operation of automated equipment with particular reference to industrial robots. It focuses on the knowledge needed to select and use such equipment effectively and safely. However, some design aspects will be presented. There is an emphasis on the use of sensors to make robots behave "intelligently".

By the end of the module students will be able to:

• Appraise the impact of automation, both economic and social, on modern industry and future applications in industry
• Contrast the benefits and disadvantages of automating a task.
• Evaluate the different mechanical configurations available for a modern industrial robot and argue if a task is appropriate for that configuration.
• Program an industrial robot off-line using kinematic simulation software to perform a specified task.
• Locate the sources of positional error and calculate the possible positional error in an application.
• Analyse safety hazards and formulate a safety system for a given automation application.
• Select appropriate sensors for a given automation application.
• Apply machine vision to a given application and set up a machine vision system.
• Analyse complex robot kinematic theory and devise kinematic calculations for a given case study.