Test Drive | Page 46

Robotic Operations /Set Up/Maintenance- The use of robots in industry continues to grow and companies that integrate robots into their workflow become more efficient and more competitive. Construction robots are often used in the industry for fabrication. A few robots exist on the construction job site, but the majority of robots used in fabrication in the construction industry are not on the job site. Instead, they are used in building construction machinery, arc welding metal components, applying adhesives, and assembling doors and windows. Construction robots are also used in the handling and manipulation of bricks and other heavy blocks. Brick and concrete block laying can be challenging both physically and mentally when performed through human labor. While not many robots have been utilized on the job yet, trials have shown how robot use in this field could prove beneficial. Robotic systems can also be utilized to dispense concrete on the job site. Instead of human labor applying the concrete, a robot can layer concrete vertically to form a structure. This process is similar to the application of adhesive process, except that concrete is much heavier than typical adhesives. Robotics - The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. These technologies deal with automated machines that can take the place of humans in dangerous environments or manufacturing processes, or resemble humans in appearance, behavior, and/or cognition. Many of today's robots are inspired by nature contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics. Source: InterLink Future Trends in Information Technology Report, www.interlink-ntx.org Robotics Applications - Robotics is the branch of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. These technologies deal with automated machines that can take the place of humans in dangerous environments or manufacturing processes, or resemble humans in appearance, behavior, and/or cognition. Many of today's robots are inspired by nature contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics. Root Cause Analysis - Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method of problem solving used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems. A factor is considered a root cause if removal thereof from the problem-fault-sequence prevents the final undesirable event from recurring; whereas a causal factor is one that affects an event's outcome, but is not a root cause. Safety - The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury. Safety Data Sheets - An important component of product stewardship and occupational safety and health. It is intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling or working with that substance in a safe manner, and includes information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill-handling procedures. MSDS formats can vary from source to source within a country depending on national requirements. Time Management - the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. Source: Wikipedia Scientific Method - The scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. Self Directed Teams - A self-directed work team (SDWT) is a group of people, usually employees in a company, who combine different skills and talents to work without the usual managerial supervision toward a common purpose or goal. Self Motivation/Direction - Self-direction is being the driver of your own life, your goals and how you reach them. A motive is what prompts the person to act in a certain way, or at least develop an inclination for specific behavior. Sensors and Safety cameras- A device that takes input from the physical environment and uses built-in compute resources to perform predefined functions upon detection of specific input and then process data before passing it on. Smart sensors enable more accurate and automated collection of environmental data with less erroneous noise amongst the accurately recorded information. These devices are used for monitoring and control mechanisms in a wide variety of environments including smart grids, battlefield reconnaissance, exploration and a great number of science applications. The smart sensor is also a crucial and integral element in the Internet of Things (IoT), the increasingly prevalent environment in which almost anything imaginable can be outfitted with a unique identifier (UID) and the ability to transmit data over the Internet or a similar network. Simulation Analysis - A problem solving technique used to approximate the probability of certain outcomes by running multiple trial runs, called simulations, using random variables. The use of numerical methods to simulate the behavior of engineered systems during operations and accidents brings major benefits in understanding, which is essential to decision makers. It includes Complex situations involving statics, dynamics, non-linearity, laminar flows, turbulence, thermal effects, shocks and impacts. Source: National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) Copyright 2016 North Central Texas InterLink, Inc. ~ All rights reserved. 44