Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
ME40046 Manufacturing automation, modelling & simulation |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX60CW40 |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take ME30035 or take ME30029 |
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Aims:
* To develop an understanding of the use and benefits of modelling and simulation in manufacturing systems design and operation. * To introduce the building blocks of automation and to show how these can be applied to the design of robotic and automated systems. * To examine the advanced and technical aspects of current automation technology looking at robotic systems. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * Model and simulate the operation of a small manufacturing system. * Use simulation as a manufacturing system design technique. * Justify the use of manufacturing modelling and simulation. * Understand the techniques required for the specification of robotic and automated cells. * Appreciate the use of sensing in automated facilities. * Undertake a cost evaluation for proposed systems and be able to recommend hard or flexible automation. * Specify the safety requirements within an automated environment. Examine design for automated assembly. Skills: Problem solving; IT; working independently; written communication. Content: Modelling and Simulation: Definitions. types of models. Modelling methodologies. Validation and Verification. Justification, benefits and uses of simulation. Modelling Manufacturing Systems: Discrete event and continuous approaches to simulation. Discrete event computer languages. Visually interactive simulation. Use of mathematical and statistical models, distributions and random numbers, queuing models and inventory systems. Modelling breakdowns, conveyors, workflow and tool flow. Utilisation statistics. Model verification and validation. Simulation of manufacturing systems. Information Models: Information flows within manufacture. Levels of detail. IDEF models. Automation Peripherals (e.g. Vibratory bowl feeders). Sensors (e.g. limit switches, proximity switches, photoelectric sensors). Robot definitions, mechanical configurations, Sensing & Machine Vision. Grippers & Tooling. Hard V's Flexible Automation. Safety. Applications (e.g.: Aerospace, Automotive, Pharmaceutical & Electronics). Mobile Robots. Current Research Advancements. Topics for self study that could be examined. |