436-436 Robotics and Computational Mechanics

431-202 Engineering Analysis B (prior to 2001, 421-205 Engineering Analysis B), 431226 Engineering Analysis B(old) or equivalent

Unit 1, Robotics: Upon completion, students should understand the classification and function of the spectrum of robots; have skill in devising methods for enhancing the performance of several robot types; and appreciate the bases of the long-term development of robots in industry.

Topics covered include a selection from overview and classification of robot systems: pick and place devices, continuous path manipulators; robot vision, voice actuators, obstacle avoidance, movement strategies; programming and response: point to point programming, teach mode programming, space and tool coordinates, programming for flexible manufacture, human factors in the management of robot systems; kinematics of robot arms; multi-degree-of-freedom manipulators; industrial task description and robot requirements; dynamics; six-degree-of-freedom robot arms, non-linear systems, real time dynamics, predicted limits to performance; and control: motion resolvers, passive compliant devices, obstacle avoidance control, force feedback and vision control.

Unit 2, Advanced Computational Mechanics: Upon completion, students should be able to comprehend a wide variety of numerical computational techniques for solving ordinary and partial differential equations frequently encountered in engineering problems and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the various competing computational methods.

Topics covered include modelling engineering systems using ordinary and partial differential equations; finite difference schemes; and weighted residual methods and spectral methods.

Two 2-hour examinations (60%); assignments, project and computer work not exceeding 20 pages including computations, diagrams, tables and computer output (40%). Students will be notified of the weighting of the non-examination assessment components at the beginning of semester.