A Textbook of Robotics 1: Basic Concepts [Paperback]

One Introduction to Robotics.- Two What is a Robot?.- Background.- Definitions.- Robot.- Sensing.- Programming.- Types of Automation.- Hard Automation.- Flexible Automation.- Classification of Robots.- First Generation Robots.- Second Generation Robots.- Cost Limitations.- Social Implications.- Humans Versus Robots.- Three The Mechanical Arm.- Overview.- Types of Joints.- Prismatic Joints.- Revolute Joints.- Ball and Socket Joints.- Degrees of Freedom.- Classification of Robots by Type of Joint.- Cartesian Robots.- Cylindrical Robots.- Spherical Robots.- Horizontal Articulated Robots.- Vertical Articulated Robots.- Comparison of Robot Work Envelopes.- Cartesian Robots.- Cylindrical Robots.- Spherical Robots.- Horizontal Articulated Robots.- Vertical Articulated Robots.- Suitability for Particular Tasks.- Link Construction.- Robot Arm Drive Units.- Revolute and Prismatic Drive.- Electric, Hydraulic, and Pneumatic Drive.- Electric Drive.- Hydraulic Drive.- Pneumatic Drive.- Direct and Indirect Drive.- Four The Robot Controller.- Robot Control Levels.- Actuator Control.- Closed-Loop Control.- Encoders and Tachometers.- Coordinated Control.- Path Control.- Point-to-Point Control.- Continuous Path Control.- Off-Line Programming Control and Real-Time Control.- Off-Line Programming Control.- Real-Time Control.- Controller Programming.- User Program.- Controller Software.- Five Robot Teaching Methods.- Preview.- Teaching Methods.- Teach-In.- Teach-Through.- Teach-Through Using a Force Sensor.- Teaching by Means of Other Sensors.- Programming Methods.- Definition of Coordinates by the Computer.- Shifting Coordinate Systems.- Use of Vision Sensor and Pointer.- World Modeling.- Comparison of Teaching and Programming Methods.- Six The End Effector.- Two-Finger Grippers.- Three-Finger Grippers.- Cylindrical Object Grippers.- Fragile Object Grippers.- Jointed Grippers.- Vacuum and Electromagnetic Grippers.- Automatic Gripper Changers.- Seven Integration and Operation of Robot Sublc