PLTW: Automation and Robotics
Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics. They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems. Students use a robust robotics platform to design, build, and program a solution to solve an existing problem.
Lesson 2.1: What is Automation and Robotics?
Understandings
1. Automation is the use of technology to ease human labor or to extend the mental or physical capabilities of humans.
2. Robotics is the specialized field of engineering and computer science that deals with the design, construction, and application of robots.
3. The use of automation and robotics affects humans in various ways, both positively and negatively, including their safety, comfort, choices, and attitudes about a technology’s development and use.
4. Automation and robotics have had an influence on society in the past and present and will influence society in the future.
5. Engineers, designers, and engineering technologists are in high demand for the development of future technology to meet societal needs and wants.
Knowledge and Skills
It is expected that students will:
· Describe the purpose of automation and robotics and its effect on society.
· Summarize ways that robots are used in today’s world and the impact of their use on society.
· Describe positive and negative effects of automation and robotics on humans in terms of safety and economics.
· Provide examples of STEM careers and the need for these professionals in our society.
Lesson 2.2 Mechanical Systems
Understandings
1. Energy is the capacity to do work; the use of mechanisms is necessary to transfer energy.
2. Engineers and technologists design mechanisms to change energy by transferring direction, speed, type of movement, and force or torque.
3. Mechanisms can be used individually, in pairs, or in systems.
Knowledge and Skills
It is expected that students will:
· Use ratios to solve mechanical advantage problems.
· Use numerical and algebraic expressions and equations to solve real-life problems, such as gear ratios.
· Use the characteristics of a specific mechanism to evaluate its purpose and applications.
· Apply knowledge of mechanisms to solve a unique problem for speed, torque, force, or type of motion.
Lesson 2.3 Automated Systems
Understandings
1. Automated systems require minimal human intervention.
2. An open-loop system has no feedback path and requires human intervention, while a closed-loop system uses feedback.
3. Troubleshooting is a problem-solving method used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a technological system.
4. Comments do not change the way a robot behaves, but they do allow the programmer to remember the function that the code performs.
5. Invention is a process of turning ideas and imagination into devices and systems.
6. Some technological problems are best solved through experimentation.
7. Fluid power systems are categorized as either pneumatic, which uses gas, or hydraulic, which uses liquids. (FT Version)
8. Automated systems can be powered by alternative energy sources like solar and fuel cells. (FT Version)
Knowledge and Skills
It is expected that students will:
· Know the seven technological resources and how they are integrated into an open and closed loop system.
· Describe the purpose of pseudocode and comments within a computer program.
· Know how to use ratio reasoning to solve mechanical advantage problems.
· Design, build, wire, and program both open and closed loop systems.
· Use motors and sensors appropriately to solve robotic problems.
· Troubleshoot a malfunctioning system using a methodical approach.
· Experience fluid power by creating and troubleshooting a pneumatic device. (FT Version)
· Design, build, wire and program a system operated by alternative energy. (FT Version)
· Explain the roles and responsibilities of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineers who solve robotic problems.
Understandings
1. Automation is the use of technology to ease human labor or to extend the mental or physical capabilities of humans.
2. Robotics is the specialized field of engineering and computer science that deals with the design, construction, and application of robots.
3. The use of automation and robotics affects humans in various ways, both positively and negatively, including their safety, comfort, choices, and attitudes about a technology’s development and use.
4. Automation and robotics have had an influence on society in the past and present and will influence society in the future.
5. Engineers, designers, and engineering technologists are in high demand for the development of future technology to meet societal needs and wants.
Knowledge and Skills
It is expected that students will:
· Describe the purpose of automation and robotics and its effect on society.
· Summarize ways that robots are used in today’s world and the impact of their use on society.
· Describe positive and negative effects of automation and robotics on humans in terms of safety and economics.
· Provide examples of STEM careers and the need for these professionals in our society.
Lesson 2.2 Mechanical Systems
Understandings
1. Energy is the capacity to do work; the use of mechanisms is necessary to transfer energy.
2. Engineers and technologists design mechanisms to change energy by transferring direction, speed, type of movement, and force or torque.
3. Mechanisms can be used individually, in pairs, or in systems.
Knowledge and Skills
It is expected that students will:
· Use ratios to solve mechanical advantage problems.
· Use numerical and algebraic expressions and equations to solve real-life problems, such as gear ratios.
· Use the characteristics of a specific mechanism to evaluate its purpose and applications.
· Apply knowledge of mechanisms to solve a unique problem for speed, torque, force, or type of motion.
Lesson 2.3 Automated Systems
Understandings
1. Automated systems require minimal human intervention.
2. An open-loop system has no feedback path and requires human intervention, while a closed-loop system uses feedback.
3. Troubleshooting is a problem-solving method used to identify the cause of a malfunction in a technological system.
4. Comments do not change the way a robot behaves, but they do allow the programmer to remember the function that the code performs.
5. Invention is a process of turning ideas and imagination into devices and systems.
6. Some technological problems are best solved through experimentation.
7. Fluid power systems are categorized as either pneumatic, which uses gas, or hydraulic, which uses liquids. (FT Version)
8. Automated systems can be powered by alternative energy sources like solar and fuel cells. (FT Version)
Knowledge and Skills
It is expected that students will:
· Know the seven technological resources and how they are integrated into an open and closed loop system.
· Describe the purpose of pseudocode and comments within a computer program.
· Know how to use ratio reasoning to solve mechanical advantage problems.
· Design, build, wire, and program both open and closed loop systems.
· Use motors and sensors appropriately to solve robotic problems.
· Troubleshoot a malfunctioning system using a methodical approach.
· Experience fluid power by creating and troubleshooting a pneumatic device. (FT Version)
· Design, build, wire and program a system operated by alternative energy. (FT Version)
· Explain the roles and responsibilities of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineers who solve robotic problems.