JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B.Tech III ROBOTICS AND ITS APPLICATIONS Previous Question Paper (August/September - 2021 - R18)

Industrial automation is generally classified into three types based on the level of flexibility and production volume:

1. Fixed Automation: This involves the use of specialized equipment designed to perform a fixed sequence of processing or assembly operations. It is characterized by high initial investment, high production rates, and low flexibility, making it suitable for mass production where product design is stable over a long period.
2. Programmable Automation: This type utilizes equipment designed to change the sequence of operations through a change in the control program. It is suitable for batch production where different products are manufactured in batches. While it offers more flexibility than fixed automation, it requires time to reprogram and reconfigure the equipment between batches.
3. Flexible Automation: An extension of programmable automation, this system is capable of producing a variety of parts with virtually no time lost for changeovers. It uses computer-controlled machines and material handling systems that can be reprogrammed quickly, allowing for a mix of products to be produced simultaneously or in rapid succession.

Pneumatic locomotion devices utilize compressed air to generate mechanical motion for robotic mobility. These systems are particularly advantageous in environments where electrical sparks must be avoided or where a high power-to-weight ratio is required.

Key aspects of pneumatic locomotion include:

• Actuation: The system typically employs pneumatic cylinders or air muscles (McKibben actuators) to create linear or rotary motion. Air muscles are often favored in soft robotics for their biomimetic compliance and safety.
• Control: Motion is regulated using solenoid valves that control the flow and pressure of air into the actuators. By adjusting the pressure, the force and speed of the robot's movement can be precisely manipulated.
• Advantages: These devices are lightweight, cost-effective, and inherently compliant, allowing robots to interact safely with humans. They are also resistant to electromagnetic interference.
• Limitations: The primary drawbacks include the need for an external air compressor or storage tank, which limits portability, and the difficulty in achieving precise position control compared to electric servo motors due to the compressibility of air.