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Indicative contents
Introduction to Automation Systems
- System Specification: Comparison of features and
application domains of flexible and hard automation systems.
Criteria for specifying the appropriate type of system and degree of
flexibility. Methods for justification of automation systems in
terms of cost, performance and general parameters. Identification of
system weaknesses and to solve with appropriate technology.
- Network theory and Communications: The application of
network theory and communications to achieve rapid response time to
decisions. System specifications for data transfer, scheduling,
paperless ordering and on-line requisitions. Use of appropriate
computer software and packages to model case examples. Case studies
from industry.
- Programme Logic Control Systems: Principles and
implementation of plc’s in a manufacturing industry and integration
with CNC machines. The use of Control Systems to benefit the chain
supply. Specify on-and-off-line measurement and inspection systems
such as CMM.
- Automated Work piece Feeding, Transfer Mechanisms, Storage
and Presentation Systems: Classification of continuous and
discontinuous transport mechanisms. Specification of internal
transport systems. Coding techniques for routing and palletising.
Design and application of continuous transport systems. Components
of and an AGV system. Indexing mechanisms. Piece part bulk feeders.
Feeder selection. Design of orientation tooling, feed tracks and
escapements, pallets and work carriers, and workpiece fixtures.
Automated storage and retrieval systems. On-line storage systems.
Vision systems. Intelligent sensing.
- System Integration: Work cell /system layout principles,
and examples. Layout simulation aids. Interfacing of cell
sub-systems. Interlocking of sub-systems for sequencing. Guarding
and safety aspects. System principles for enhancement of
reliability, ease of commissioning, fault diagnosis and
maintainability, flexibility, failure recovery and linked to Sales
and Management (order scheduling) and hence J/T (minimum WIP
methodology).
- Automated Assembly Systems: Product & Component Design
Classification of products and assemblies. Selection criteria for
assembly processes. Analysis of design for manual, automated and
programmable assembly. Coding systems for part identification,
feeding, orientation and assembly processes. Design rules and
guidelines for automated assembly systems. Design for assembly and
high quality using computer simulation for functionality evaluation
at the design stage.
- Automation of other Manufacturing Processes: A brief
description of the following manufacturing processes: Casting,
forming, joining and machining. Description of methods of automating
these processes with particular emphasis on the use of robots.
Evaluation of currently working systems. Implications of the
availability of new materials, techniques and devices on flexible
automation systems.
- A visit to a local engineering company using automation and
other management systems.
Recommended reading
- Essential Reading - Books
- Course Notes
- Handy C, The Hungry Spirit, Arrow, 1998 I/S x 2
- Torrington D and Hall L, Personnel Management: HRM in Action, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, 1997 Not in stock (3rd Edition x 11)
- Beardwell I and Holden L, HRM: a contemporary Perspective, Pitman, 1997 I/S x 8
- Recommended Reading
- Appleton E and Williams D J, Industrial Robot Applications.
Open University Press 1987 I/S x 3
- Rembold U, Nnaji BO, Storr A. Addision-Wesley, Computer
Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering: 1983 I/S x 6
- Wiley, CAD method for Industrial Assembly (Ed: Delchambre
A). 1996 I/S x 1
- Handbook of Flexible Manufacturing Systems (Ed: Jha NK).
Academic Press 1991 I/S x 1
- Hannon R. Addison-Wesley, Computer Integrated Manufacturing.
1997 I/S x 1
- Wilhelm WE, Warnock H. Chapman & Hall, Industrial Assembly.
Nof SY, 1997
- Laboratory
- Hardware: PCs
- Software: NA
- Software Manual: NA
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