Production Engineering and Robots

Welcome to CR4! What is important to know about robots? Hmm, robots are part of automation, they can do repetitive tasks well as well as complex tasks with little to no variation. Robot technology has come along way in the last 20 years and they are only going to become more common place.

As a production engineer, you will absolutely have to embrace robotics. I work with paint robots now, when I make a program, the robot will paint every part the same way every time, it doesn't get tired, need bathroom breaks, have bad days, etc... Yes they do break down here and there, but it is much more reliable then a human doing the same thing. Our paint robots are ancient, Fanuc P100's with RJ2 controllers, built in 1996. But they still run today as they did 1996.

A couple of years ago, I went to a demonstration of a robot called Baxter, a collaborative robot, meaning it can work side by side with humans, it had 2 arms instead of one and a digital face, kind of cool.

A lot of people think robots are stealing their jobs, no, they need to adapt. Our paint robots did replace skilled painters, but they still need somebody to make programs, adjust programs, air pressures, fluid pressures, and do maintenance.

If you are coming into a production engineering field, my advice to you is to be one of those that can work with robotics.

Zackly. Spray painting is a job humans shouldn't be doing for many health reasons.

Thanks for your advice.

I agree with you the robots are common nowadays and We need to adapt at this new situation of work.

First, welcome to the mad house. You'll find all levels of rational, irrational, knowledgeable and clueless people here at CR4. So use your own judgement about anything you read on this open forum.

As for robots and production engineering I feel the most important thing to know is what a robot can and cannot do for your operation. The second most important is to remember that what a robot and and cannot do will change over time.

Now for the really hard question that only you can answer. Why do you doubt your career choice in robotics? If you are finding the material to be harder than you expected but the field still intrigues you then find a tutor to assist you in your studies. But be aware that this difficult field might be out of reach. It's not for everyone. If instead the scholastic load is fine but the field no longer excites you then it might be time to change your major, find a way to merge your major with another discipline or just finish this degree and seek a job in another field.

I believe it is healthy for a sane person question their career choice and life goals at least once a decade. They certainly should question it while they are in school. Unfortunately desires, skill sets and opportunities frequently conflict.

Good Luck and again welcome to the madhouse.

Thanks for your advice.

I have studied industrial robts before I have gone to university, and I am fascinated about industrial robots. I think that I will enjoy a lot if I work with robots.

This book may serve you well....

http://www.ttp.net/978-3-03835-702-5.html

Thanks for your advice.

The most important thing to know about robots in production is that those who work around them on a regular basis must never become complacent or inattentive, or bypass any safety procedures.

They will kill you without malice and continue working.

Hooker

Yes you are right, industrial robots are dangerous, I need to take care.

That your job will soon be replaced by a robot. Some people train their replacement, you get to engineer yours.

We are living many transformation in our companies,Industrial robots are part of our process. We need to adapt with this change.

Being a production engineer I supposed your main concern is to establish and maintain consistency in product quality with the required efficiency of your production line...

So by having a good understanding of robotics /utilizing robots in the production lines, will help you achieve this goal, a key necessity to keep that position!

Thanks for your advice.

It's very important the quality for a company and the robots can do it, but someone need to teach them.

stay away from the vicinity of robots when they are doing their stuff.

Deep subject! I usually design around a given application.Its application of mechanics, electronics, sensor technology and computers.

Sometimes its only sensors, one or more stepper motors, and an Arduino.

Sometimes its multiple sensors, steppers, gear motors, encoders and a computer.

Greatest mistakes i have made is not getting the mechanics correct, in the first design, and failed sensors. Know the accuracy and durability of sensors. I was buying laser triangulation sensors from a German supplier and most would not even last beyond the bench test.

Know the physics of the sensors . laser speckle dang near killed me.

Design for minimum input from an operator or best, no input.

Be aware of power requirements, information transfer and what the EXACT actions need to be.

Good luck.

Like this:

Hello.

I don't know this robot.

What can they do?

ARpi. Autonomous Robotic pipe inspection. It crawls thru a pipe and does a dimensional inspection.

Thanks for your advice.

yes you are right it's very important to know about mechanics and eletronics when you want to work with robots.

Know where to stand so you don't win a Darwin award.