Robotics and Control Systems

Basic Principles of Robotics

Robotics is a field of engineering that involves the conception, design, manufacture, and application of robots.
Robots can repeat high precision tasks without tiring, making them ideal for a wide range of industrial applications.
For successful implementation in tasks, robots should have a level of autonomy, this means the ability to act or function independently.

Types of Robots

Articulated robots, with rotary joints, and Cartesian robots, moving along axes, are examples of robots used for tasks such as pick and place, assembly, and painting.
Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are designed to interact and work safely alongside humans in shared workspaces.
Mobile robots are capable of moving in an environment; examples include autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and drones.

Robot Control Systems

The control system of a robot is equivalent to the central nervous system of a living being: it interprets and delivers the commands that move the robot.
The key part of a robot control system is its controller, which acts as the ‘brain’ of the robot. The robot’s programming is stored in the controller.
Control systems can be categorised as open loop, where there’s no feedback from the output, or closed loop, which incorporate feedback to adjust the input and maintain output at the desired level.

Sensors in Robotics

Sensors provide robots with the necessary data to perceive their surroundings and react accordingly. They act like the robot’s senses, and the data they provide is essential for tasks like object detection and recognition, navigation, and control.
Various sensor types include proximity sensors, vision systems, force sensors, and inertial measurement units.

Actuators in Robotics

Actuators are the ‘muscles’ of a robot, the parts which convert energy into movement.
Electrical actuators, hydraulic actuators, and pneumatic actuators are among the types of actuators used, each with their own advantages, disadvantages, and suitable applications.
The choice of actuator will depend on factors like speed, precision, load carrying capacity and system complexity.

Robot Programming

Robots are programmed with a set of instructions to execute a specific task.
Programming can be offline, where programming is done on a computer without the need to stop the robot, or online, where programming is done using the robot’s teach pendant while the robot is stopped.

Remember that successful application of robotics requires a comprehensive understanding of various disciplines including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.