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- A gantry robot automatic positioning system using computational visionPublication . Beites, Nuno; Dias, Manuel; Gonçalves Cavaco Mendes, Mário José; Carreira, Fernando; Campos, F.; Calado, João Manuel FerreiraWith the new industrial revolution (industry 4.0) under way, there is a need to automate/digitalize even the simplest processes to keep companies competitive, efficient and secure. This work proposes an automatic and robotic positioning system with position control through the image of video cameras. The objective is to propose this type of automatic system to companies aiming to improve robotic systems operations that are often controlled manually and with associated risks. The developed system was tested in simulation (using Matlab) and in an experimental scale prototype.
- Supervision System 4.0 for a Road Tanker Washing Robot ManipulatorPublication . Vicente, L.; Carreira, Fernando; Campos, Francisco M.; Gonçalves Cavaco Mendes, Mário José; Calado, João Manuel Ferreira; Carvalho, GamboaThe washing of road tankers is currently still a manual process that requires an operator to place the washing head into the tanks. To increase productivity and operator safety, it is essential to implement automated systems with Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) capabilities. On the other hand, the industry 4.0 paradigm promotes the use of collaborative systems that integrate with the other organization’s processes. Realizing this new vision requires Supervision, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems with FDI modules that integrate with collaborative systems and promote the digitalization of companies. This paper proposes a SCADA system for a new road tanker washing robot, aimed at integrating all systems and communication networks of the organization and future FDI modules. To this end, this paper proposes a communication architecture based on open protocols and a common database to connect SCADA to the lower and higher levels of automation. Furthermore, this paper describes the various aspects of SCADA system development, from synoptic design to validation. To support the development of the SCADA system, a Digital Twin (DT) of the road tanker washing robot was used, allowing to test and validate its functionality through this virtual prototype. The results show that the proposed SCADA system and underlying information architecture are suitable for supervision of a robotized wash operation and that the use of a Digital Twin facilitates SCADA system design and validation.
- A photorealistic digital twin for a tank truck washing robotic systemPublication . Vicente, Luís; Lomelino, Pedro; Carreira, Fernando; Campos, Francisco M.; Gonçalves Cavaco Mendes, Mário José; Calado, J. M. F.In the current industrial context, the adoption of a digital twin (DT) has proven to be an appropriate tool to optimize the entire lifecycle of a system. This vision includes the adoption of a DT, in the collaborative network of organizations from the virtual modeling of a system, through its control, operation, namely simulation, implementation, and monitoring/supervision. To take full advantage of DTs, it is essential that they are as photorealistic as possible, allowing all kinds of simulations to be carried out, for example testing vision algorithms. In this context, this paper presents the development of a DT that is integrated as a collaborative system to monitor all phases of the life cycle of a robot destined to wash tank truck. The Unreal Engine 4 software was used to develop a DT and the communication architecture was designed, using the standard OPC UA protocol.
- Automatic control system for an oil-hydraulic actuator of a scissor liftPublication . Costa, Lino M. F.; Carreira, Fernando; Mendes, Mário J. G. C.Lifting equipment’s have the purpose to lift goods within their safe working load and design rules specified in standards. However, some applications require additional care regarding handling the load when this care is out of the standard’s specifications. This paper presents the control and supervision system development of a scissor lift table, which should ensure, during its motion, that the vertical speed is constant. This lift table is working alongside a system for handling boxes composed by 3 entry conveyors and 1 exit conveyor. In this work, it was carried out the study of the direct and inverse kinematics to obtain the equations of position, speed and force for the oil-hydraulic actuator and the applicability of Denavit-Hartenberg’s algorithm for these equations. It was proposed a hydraulic circuit, with the selection of the main hydraulic components and the design of the oil-hydraulic actuator (a cylinder) with the magnetostrictive transducer as well. A programmable logical controller was selected, as well as the sensors and actuators for the conveyor system and a program was developed which allows to automatically control the system. The lift table’s velocity control is done by equations which define an oil flow profile of the hydraulic cylinder, which ensures a constant vertical speed of the lift table. To improve the control of the system, initial and final flow ramps were added to the equations, with reduced oil flow at the target height. It was observed that the use of Denavit-Hartenberg’s algorithm revealed to be limited, on which it was necessary to use other calculation methods to obtain the equations of speed and force. However, the proposed oil-hydraulic circuit, as well as the developed speed control, allow the control of the lift table’s position and speed.