PICK AND PLACE ROBOTS IN MECHTRONICS BY ABS
- 1. MECHATRONICS UNIT – 5 : ACTUATORS AND MECHATRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN TOPIC : CASE STUDIES, PICK AND PLACE ROBOT.
- 2. INTRODUCTION: The technology combining Mechanical and Electronics engineering is Mechatronics. Mechatronics systems are widely used now a day in many industries. CASE STUDY : PICK AND PLACE ROBOT The pick and place robot is a micro-controller based mechatronic system that detects the object. picks that object from source location and places at desired location. The basic form of a pick and place robot is shown. The robot has three axes about which motion can occur.
- 3. The following movements are required for this robot. 1) Clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation of the robot unit on its base. 2) Linear movement of the arm horizontally (i.e)., extension or contraction of arm. 3) Up and Down movement of the arm and 4) Open and close movement of the gripper. The Foresaid movements can be obtained by pneumatic cylinders which are operated by solenoid actuated 4/3 way directional control valves (DCVs) with limit switches. Limit switches are used to indicate when a motion is completed.
- 4. The clockwise rotation of the robot unit on its base can be obtained form a piston and cylinder arrangement during pistons forward movement. similarly, counter clockwise rotation can be obtained during backward movement of the piston in cylinder. Linear movement of the arm can result during forward and backward movement of the piston and cylinder. The upward movement of the arm can result from forward movement of the piston in a cylinder whereas downward movement from its retardation. The gripper can also be operated in a similar way as explained above(i.e).,gripper is opened during forward movement of the piston and closed during backward movement of the piston in the cylinder.
- 5. MOTIONS OF PICK AND PLACE ROBOTS: The spherical robot providing and one linear and two rotational movements. A cylindrical robot providing movement in horizontal, vertical and rotational axes.
- 6. MICROCONTROLLER CIRCUIT FOR PICK AND PLACE ROBOT :
- 7. A microcontroller used to control the solenoid valves of various cylinders is shown.The microcontroller used of this purpose is ME68HC11 type. A software program is used to control the robot. TRIAC optoisolator consists of LED and TRIAC. If the input of LED is 1,the TRIAC is glowed and activated to conduct the current to the solenoid valve. An opto-isolator is an electronic component that transfers electrical signals between two isolated circuits by using light.Opto isolators prevent high voltages from affecting the system receiving the signals. Otherwise, the TRIAC will not conduct the current to the solenoid valve. When the solenoid is activated by TRIAC, the directional valve opens its output port and it conducts the compressed air to the double acting pneumatic cylinder to extend its piston. The connecting rod and piston assembly of the pneumatic cylinder which is connected to the respective base or arm or gripper is used to obtain the required motion.
- 8. ADVANTAGES: 1) It improves the product quality. 2) Its because an automated mechanical arm has the ability to work at a constant speed. Without pausing for breaks, sleep, vacations, it has the potential to produce more than a human worker. 3) Mechanical arm increase workplace safety. 4) Improved worker safety leads to financial savings . It saves time also.
- 9. DISADVANTAGES: 1) Regular maintenance needs can have a financial tool as well. 2) Employees will require training program and interact with the new robotic equipment. 3) Robots may protect workers from some hazards, but in the meantime. Their very presence can create other safety problems. These new dangers must be taken into consideration.
- 10. APPLICATIONS: 1) It can be used in production industry. 2) In mass production. 3) In automobile industry. 4) High speed assembly. 5) Packing.