ROBOTICS BASICS

The word robot was coined from the word ROBOTA which means "forced labour".

Robot is an electromechanical machine embedded with artificial intelligence (AI) which is reprogrammed and executes various tasks. It is a universal machine hence, the re-programmable ability. 

Robotics technology deals with the research, design, building and controlling of robot.

All robots are machines but not all machines are robot.

Not all software's are artificial intelligence (AI). Artificial intelligence replicates human actions. If a software's does not meet this, it is not AI.

STRUCTURES OF ROBOT

• Control unit
• Mechanical unit
• Programming unit

Control Unit: This section is made up of sensors that provide feedback from the physical world to the digital world which are processed for action to be taken based on the information stored in the memory of a control computer., 

Mechanical Unit: This section of a robot is comprised of motors (stepper, servo) which provides locomotion, bearings to provide support, joints to provide a degree of freedom, end-effectors to interact with the environment and carry out assigned tasks depending on design.

Programming Unit: The control unit of a robot need to be programmed (storing of processed datain its memory). This is done in the section.

APPLICATION AREAS OF ROBOT

- Bomb discarding in the military

- Material handling
- Mechanical cutting
- Welding (Arc welding, spot welding)
- Painting in automotive industry
- Domestic use (pool cleaners, vacuum cleaners)
- Exploration

HOW TO READ RESISTOR COLOUR CODE

Resistor colour coding is used to represent the value and tolerance of a resistor. This colour coding could be four, five or sometimes six.

In a four band colour coding, the first two colours represents the first and second digits, the third colour serves as the multiplier and the last colour is the tolerance.

To find the resistance of a resistor whose colours are Orange, Orange, Brown and Gold.

VARIABLE RESISTOR

A variable resistor has a movable contact that is used in selecting the required resistance. Potentiometers have markings on them; these markings indicates the maximum value in which the potentiometer can be adjusted to.

Recognising markings on variable resistors:

A variable resistor marked 10K means that its range of resistance is 0 to 10,000 ohms.
If it is marked 104, the resistance will be 10 x10^4 = 100,000 ohms.
If it is marked 103, the resistance will be 10 x10^3 = 10,000 ohms.

Variable resistors are of either the slide type or the rotary(dial) type.

DIODE

A diode is a semi-conductor that allows current to flow in one direction from anode to cathode and blocks the opposite direction. Diodes are polarised; the positive terminal is the anode and the negative terminal is the cathode.

Looking at a diode, the coloured band at one of the terminal is the negative terminal (cathode).