ET 164 - Robotics Electrical Service & Troubleshooting

Credits: 3

Identifies the electrical components of robots, theory of operation. Introduces proper troubleshooting procedures for the robot controller and manipulator. Approximately 50 percent of the course is hands-on troubleshooting of actual robot system and controller. Credit may be earned in ET 164 or SKET 164 but not both.

Prerequisite(s): ET 120 and MT 220
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 15 Lab Hours: 30
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives

Demonstrate robot basics.
1. Follow safety guidelines and demonstate use of emergency-stops and servo lockouts.
2. Properly power up robot controller and demonstrate fault recovery procedures.
3. Place robot in the following operating modes: automatic, low speed, and 100 percent manual modes.
Identify system components
1. Identify manupulator motors, resolvers, calibration marks, counterbalance devices, hard stops, brake release buttons, and end-of-arm tooling.
2. Identify robot controller and computer and I/O modules, servo amps, motor relays, power supply.
3. Demonstrate proper teach pendant: enabling device, motion device, e-stop and teach pendant buttons.
4. Demonstrate proper panel emergency stop button, motors on/off indicators, key switch, fault reset button, and floppy drive.
5. Use the calibration program to verify robot synchronization.
Understand Robotics circuits diagrams
1. Understand theory of operation of the robot controller.
2. Describe components in the robot controller.
3. Explain principles of logical troubleshooting from power up through emergency stop loop and servo system.
4. Describe input/output interfacing between the S4C+ robot controller and peripheral equipment.
5. Operate the controller control panel and programming unit.
6. Read and interpret robot circuit diagrams on the robot controller.
Perform troubleshooting techniques successfully
1. Use safety precautions used while troubleshooting the robot controller electrical system.
2. Set up commutation, resolver, counters, limit and sync switches.
3. Analyze and interpret system fault codes.
4. Diagnose and repair basic electrical faults.
5. Analyze servo-system data and make basic adjustments.
6. Diagnose and rectify emergency stop conditions.
7. Make I/O connections to peripheral equipment and safety devices.
8. Repair and replace systems components.
9. Review “Cold-Boot” procedure.