Study Programmes 2015-2016
MECA0517-1  
Advanced industrial robotics
Duration :
30h Th, 20h Pr, 10h Proj.
Number of credits :
Master in mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Olivier Bruls
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
This course addresses the central topics in industrial robotics, including robot components and their functions, modeling and control of manipulators, human-robot cooperation, task planning and sensing systems. Within the program, the students will learn the theoretical foundations of modeling, control and optimization of robot systems.
The principal goal of this robotics course is to prepare individuals for professional practice in robotics engineering by leveraging the technical skills developed during this one week intensive package. Students are expected to demonstrate the principle knowledge of robotics and be able to integrate robots in production concepts. They will have thorough understanding of the main robotic architectures and related kinematics. They will master programming techniques and be able to plan applications in industrial robots.
Learning outcomes of the course :
Students are expected to:
  • Have thorough knowledge of current theories and developments in industrial robotics
  • Have high competence in computational methods, hardware, software techniques used in robotics
 At the end of this course, the students should be able to:
  • analyse problems according to task requirements, develop task planning and identify an appropriate solution;
  • acquire a broad base of skills in core technical subjects such as signal processing, modeling, control, estimation, and programming, which are key to understanding complex robot systems;
  • independently identify and formulate problems related to systems, control and robotics and with adequate methods listed below be able to carry out qualified analysis;
  • program robots for simple tasks, treat and analyse experimental data then reach the right conclusion.
 In addition, this course will bring together masters students from the University of Luxembourg, the University of Liège in Belgium and the University of Saarland in Germany. Through this program, students will not only acquire general skills in team project work but also learn to quickly build a team and set up collaborative partnerships with new counterparts in short periods.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Recommended optional course: MECA0504-1 Industrial automation
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Lectures:
  • PRE-L1. kinematic structures
  • PRE-L2. Description types of Denavit-Hartenberg notation
  • PRE-L3. Forward and reverse transformation
  • L1. Introduction, Handling equipment in production
  • L2. Basic components for robots
  • L3. Control architecture
  • L4. Path planning and programming
  • L5. Human-robot interaction and security concepts
  • L6. Task scheduling for cooperative systems
  • L7. Sensors and Metrology
  • L8. Assistance systems for individual support
  • L9. Impact on the production environment and people
Exercises:
  • PRE-EX1. Degree of freedom calculation, coordinate transformation
  • PRE-EX2. Denavit-Hartenberg parameters and matrices
  • PRE-EX3. General and tailored calculation methods
  • EX1. General robots and technology trends
  • EX2. Equipment, grippers and tools
  • EX3. Modeling on the control
  • EX4. Online programming of robots
  • EX5. Operating concepts for human-robot cooperation, approach to risk assessment and solutions for securing
  • EX6. Offline programming, modeling and task planning
  • EX7. Method for determining position in space, fast calibration
  • EX8. Case Studies: Individual worker assistance
  • EX9. Change management
Projects:
  • Each student will take part in a group project on the programming of a robot in a specific operational context.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face
Recommended or required readings :
J. J. Craig. "Introduction to Robotics Mechanics and Control". Wesley, 2005.
B. Siciliano and O. Khatib, "Handbook of Robotics", Springer, 2008.
M. Spong, S. Hutchinson, and M. Vidyasagar, "Robot Modeling and Control", Wiley, 2006.
Assessment methods and criteria :
The evaluation will be based on the project and on an oral exam about the theory.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
This course is organized jointly by the University of Liège, the University of Luxembourg and the University of Saarland.
The course will take place at the University of Saarland (Sarrebrücken) during one week from Monday 15/2/2016 to Friday 19/2/2016. The transportation and accomodation will be covered by the University.
Three "pre-lectures" will be organized in Liège in November and December.
The slides of the lectures will be made available in electronic format.
Contacts :
Olivier Brüls: o.bruls@ulg.ac.be