1.

What is the value of the damping factor/ratio for over damped, critically damped and
underdamped systems? Make use of a graph to explain the answer.

 Under damped or un-damped systems, represented by the blue line, oscillates around
the new steady state position√ 𝜁 < 1 √
 Critically damped systems will reach the new steady state position within the minimum
amount of time elapsed, represented by the grey line. √ 𝜁 = 1 √
 The over-damped system will reached the steady state position without overshooting in
a longer period of time to the critically damped. √ 𝜁 > 1 √

2. Name three common power sources for robots.

 Electric√ - High accuracy, repeatability, cleaner but less strength and speed, higher fire
hazard.
 Pneumatic√ - –simple modular construction, cheapest, simple operations with short
cycle times but they are smaller, operate mechanical fixed end joints
 Hydraulic√ - Fire safe, high speed & strength but consume space and clumsy

3. Name the four items that are critical for autonomous systems robot success.
 The design involves the integration of many different bodies of knowledge.
 To solve locomotion problems, the mobile roboticist must understand mechanisms and
kinematics, dynamics and control theory.
 To create robust perceptual systems, the roboticist must leverage the fields of signal
analysis and specialised bodies of knowledge e.g. computer vision to properly employ
multitude of sensor technologies.
 Localisation demands knowledge of computer algorithms, information theory, artificial
intelligence and probability theory. √
4. Draw the characteristic cost vs product lifecycle diagram and discuss why the ease-of-change of
a product changes through the different stages in the product life cycle.

5. In the pursuit for competitiveness manufacturing organisations have had different aspects in
different years driving their being able to compete in the global environment. Discuss the years
and the competitive advantage element in the specific year. Using an organisation of your
choice explain how the organisation has been able to ensure its competitiveness.

 In the 70s the cost of the product was the source of competitive advantage. √
 In the 80s competitive advantage was derived from quality. √
 Environmental issues have given the competitive age in the 90s. √
 Customisation has been the key competitive advantage in the 21 century. √

6. Recall the Product Design Process, draw a diagram of the different steps and describe these
steps making reference to real-world circumstances.
7. 4 What are the four types of CAD systems (Classifications based on what computer they are
located on)?

 Mainframe-based systems√
 Minicomputer-based systems√
 Workstation based systems√
 Microcomputer-based systems√

8. When designing a network layout for a plant, describe the four basic components/devices used
and what their functions in the network are.

 Repeaters√
 Bridges√
 Routers√
 Gateways√

9. When considering database linkages, describe the five levels at which information in
communicated between data bases (i.e. how can data bases be located in a network)

 Level 0: Isolation√
 Level 1: Converters√
 Level 2: Neutral file format√
 Level 3: A centralised database√
 Level 4: Integration of standalone components√

10. A restaurant wants to centralise their client service with an online SQL database. The database
will be accessed from tablet computers used by patrons per table for ordering of food and a
central computer that emails invoices for payments to the clients for their orders. The core
functions of this centralised database are: menu access; costing; calculation of tips for waiters;
forwarding of food orders to kitchen staff.

Design a database using the object based approach, making sure to indicate how the data
records are linked between the data files.

What do we want to achieve? (output)

 Menu access (all food items, food costs, discounts for specials)
 Receipts (ordered food items, food costs, total payment made (food + tip))
 Food orders (ordered food items)
11. A manufacture has a challenge with a process that is not stabilizing. Explain the following terms
and how they would help the manufacturing understand and solve this problem. The rise time,
the peak time, the overshoot, the settling time. Use a graph to demonstrate clearly to the
manufacturer a background for the process to be understood.

 The settling time (ts ) is a measure of the time taken for the oscillations to die away. It is the
time it takes the response to fall within and remain within a specified percentage, e.g. 2%.√√
 Rise time tr –the time taken by the response x to rise from 10% to 90% of the steady state value
xss . Can also be defined as the time taken for the oscillating response to complete a quarter of
a cycle, i.e. ½ π. Thus ωt= ½ π √√
 Peak time tp –the time taken for the response to rise from 0 to the first peak value. √√
 Overshoot (%OS) – the maximum amount by which the response overshoots the steady state
value. It is often written as a percentage of the steady state value. √√

12. Name three types of control system that are available and specify which control system would
be appropriate for the robot in question

 Point-to-point (PTP) √- Capability of moving from one point to another point. Path to
get to the other point is not controlled. E.g component insertion, spot welding, hole
drilling, machine loading and unloading.
 Continuous-path (CP) √- -Capable of performing movements along a controlled path. All
points along the path must be stored explicitly in the robots control memory. Lead
through motions can be used e.g spray painting, finishing, gluing and arc welding
operations.
 Controlled-path-Control √ - Control equipment can generate paths of different geometry
such as straight lines, circles and interpolated curves. All controlled-path robots have a
servo capability to correct the path.