Week 5: Hardware of Automation: (Introduction: Building Blocks of Automation)

Building blocks of automation

Manufacturing systems can generally be classified as fixed (hardware) or flexible (software). These classifications are normally bestowed on both the processing equipment (machine tools, welders, and so on) and the material handling system that integrates the processes. Each process or machine usually consists of dozens of mechanisms that create the required relative motion to complete an activity. These mechanisms include cams, ways and slides, pistons (pneumatic or hydraulic), vibratory devices. push rods, and screw mechanisms. Each of these mechanisms have particular characteristics that allow them to be coupled together to amplify force or speed and create/convert linear or rotary motion. When these mechanisms are mechanically fastened on a base .relative to each other in order to perform a specific task
 

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