GCSE/IGCSE and AS/A Level ICT-Applied ICT

There are three main areas:

- Computer Aided Design (CAD)

- Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)

Robotics

In many industries the traditional drawing board is almost a relic. There are many computer aided design (CAD) packages that enable the designer to work out the designs. Drawing with a mouse is difficult, so the computer system may have:

- a light pen;

- a graphics tablet;

In this picture you can see that under the engineer’s left hand there is a graphics tablet.

CAD packages use vector graphics, which means that the coordinates at each end of a line are plotted. It results in smaller file sizes and changes of size can be accommodated without the distortion caused by pixilation (where lines appear to be stepped). The advantages of CAD are many:

- no special drawing skills are needed;

- designs can be easily changed.

- the design can be tested using computer modelling. Complex mathematical calculations are used to predict the item’s behaviour under normal and extreme conditions. This makes more sense than destructive testing on prototypes, which can be highly expensive or even dangerous.

- plans can be stored.

The computer design, when complete, can be loaded into a computer aided manufacturing (CAM) machine. An example of this is seen in the picture below. The computer guides the machine head with a precision greater than the precision of even the finest craftsman.

Such machines are massively expensive, but pay for themselves in:

- greater productivity;

- better precision, leading to greater reliability of the finished product.

- complex shapes can be machined.

ROBOTIC ARMS

Many assembly lines are now operated by robots controlled by computers. Robots are complex machines that rely on feedback to ensure that the various machine heads are positioned in exactly the right place. Although very expensive, robot assembly line machines have the advantage that:

- they need no breaks for lunch, or going to the lavatory;

- they don’t get bored, leading to mistakes;

- they don’t go on strike;

- they work 24 hours a day.

However there is a downside:

- New products need complete reprogramming of the machinery, possibly with new tooling.

- Maintenance has to be carried out to a high standard.

- Computer systems failure will lead to the breakdown of the assembly line.

- Certain processes cannot be carried out by a robot. They still need a skilled operator.

NEXT: ICT in Medicine

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