| CODE | MFE5104 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Industrial Automation and Robotics | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | In this study-unit, the following topics will be discussed: 1) Overview of the basics of Industrial Automation and Robotics: - Benefits and drawbacks of automation. - The building blocks of automation: controllers, sensors, and actuators. - Mechanization of parts handling and storage; end effector design; part design for automation; parts presentation. - Automated production and assembly. - Numerical control. - Industrial robots. 2) Advanced topics: - Strategies for the implementation of, and/or migration to, automation. - Design of reconfigurable manufacturing automation systems. - Robot time and cost management. - Problems and perceptions related to the implementation of automation. - Manufacturing execution systems. Study-unit Aims: The objective of this study-unit is to take a critical overview of industrial automation from both the technology and economic viewpoints. The first part of the unit involves a general overview of the basic elements and aspects of automation, including applicability of automation; building blocks of automation; standard automation equipment; automated production systems; and product aspects. The second part of the unit will deal with more advanced automation studies and methodologies, including implementation strategies; reconfigurable solutions; exploitation of robot flexibility; overcoming barriers to automation; and manufacturing execution systems. The unit will address issues and timelines involved in the implementation of a successful automation project, and each student will apply the knowledge acquired in this unit to a detailed case study. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate a detailed awareness of various technologies and methodologies available for automation, of their applicability, and of the methods by which they can be implemented and integrated. - Demonstrate an appreciation of specific problems, both technical and non-technical, that are often encountered in automation, and of how these problems can be addressed. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to develop a knowledge of how to analyse and understand an existing process; how to simplify it in preparation for automation; how to carry out a feasibility study of the proposed automation; how to synthesize, analyze and design a new automation system composed of various constituent technologies to address a practical problem;and then how to go through all of the necessary steps to ensure successful implementation of the automation. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Automation, Production Systems, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing: Pearson New International Edition, 3rd Edition, M.P. Groover, Pearson Education Inc., 2013. ISBN 1292025921. - Robots and Manufacturing Automation, 2nd Edition, C. Ray Asfahl, John Wiley and Sons, 1992. ISBN 0471553913. - Manufacturing: Design, Production, Automation and Integration, B Benhabib, Marcel Dekker Inc., 2003. ISBN 0-8247-4273-7. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study, Project and Seminar | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Emmanuel Francalanza |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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