PRT401I/101/0/2015

Tutorial letter 101/0/2015

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV

PRT401I
Year Module
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.

CONTENTS
Page
1

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3

PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE ............................................................... 3

2.1

Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 3

2.2

Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 3

LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS ................................................................................... 6

3.1

Lecturer(s) .................................................................................................................................... 6

3.2

Department ................................................................................................................................... 6

3.3

University ...................................................................................................................................... 7

MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES ............................................................................................. 7

4.1

Prescribed books .......................................................................................................................... 7

4.3

Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves) ................................................................................................. 7

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE ............................................................... 7

5.1

Study Guide .................................................................................................................................. 7

5.2

On line resources ......................................................................................................................... 7

MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................. 8

MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING .................................... 8

ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 8

8.1

Assessment plan........................................................................................................................... 8

8.2

General assignment numbers ....................................................................................................... 8

8.2.1

Unique assignment numbers ........................................................................................................ 8

8.2.2

Due dates for assignments ........................................................................................................... 8

8.3

Submission of assignments .......................................................................................................... 9

8.4

Assignments ................................................................................................................................. 9

OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS ............................................................................................. 9

10

EXAMINATION ............................................................................................................................. 9

11

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 9

12

SOURCES CONSULTED ........................................................................................................... 10

13

CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................ 10

14

ADDENDUM A: ASSIGNMENTS .............................................................................................. 11

PRT401I/101

1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student
Welcome to the module, PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV (code PRT401I), offered by
the Industrial Engineering section in the School of Engineering at UNISA.
This module is part of the qualification, Bachelor of Technology in Engineering: Industrial.
This is your first tutorial letter (TL); read it carefully before you start studying. It provides
you with an overview and specific information about this module. You should use it as a
guideline to your studies in this course.
This tutorial letter also provides you with general administrative information as well as
specific information about the subject. Read it carefully and keep it safe for future
reference. We trust that you will enjoy this course.
The purpose of this module is to provide the student with the practical and theoretical
knowledge of statistics and quality control.

2 PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE

2.1

Purpose

After completing this module a learner must be able to plan the implementation of
production technology, equipment, materials handling, and information technology and
evaluate alternatives, and how to manage the project.
2.2

Outcomes

1. Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Understand the various manufacturing technologies used in industry.

Relate competitiveness, quality and cost.
The role of computers in manufacturing, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer
Aided Manufacturing (CAM) applications.
Introduction to flexible manufacturing systems
Identify examples of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS).
Identify the FMS project structure and management
Identify components, processes and materials handling systems in FMS.
Applications of computer simulation for feasibility study of FMS.
Financial justification for implementing FMS
Process of installation and commissioning of FMS
Identify factors affecting the development of FMS

2.

Just in Time systems (JIT)

Integrating JIT with Material Requirements Planning II (MRPII) systems
Integration of JIT with computer integrated manufacturing (CIM).
Automated manufacturing processes
Automated materials handling and storage systems
3

Computer integrated manufacturing enterprise.

3. Nontraditional machining processes

Understand the classification of nontraditional machining processes

Be able to describe, identify uses, tooling used and operations performed and
advantages and limitations of the following processes
o
Ultrasonic machining
o
Abrasive jet machining
o
Electrochemical machining
o
Chemical milling
o
Electro discharge machining

4. Understand the principles, applications and implementation of the following sensing

techniques in automated manufacturing processes
o
o
o
o

Discrete sensing
Continuous sensing
Bar codes
Symbology

5.
o
o
o
o
o
o

Understand the principles, applications of bar code technology

Medium and printer selection
Bar code scanners
Bar code readers
Bar code printers
Shop floor control using bar codes
Radio frequency identification system (RDFI)

6. Understand the principles and application of programmable logic controllers (PLCs)

o Computer process control.
7.
o
o
o
o
o
o

CIM software which supports JIT

The common elements in CIM and JIT systems
People involvement
Demand pull
Total Quality Control (TQC)
JIT vendor interface
Support for the focused factory

8. Understand the application of technology in manufacturing

o Types of technology and impact of life cycle effect on technology.
o Material processing technology Numerical Control (NC), computer numerical control
(CNC), Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs), robots
9. Understand and identify the application Information technology in manufacturing
o Transaction processing
o Automatic identification systems
o Management information systems
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PRT401I/101
o Decision support systems
o Artificial intelligence and expert systems
10. Computer integrated manufacturing and the computer integrated enterprise
o Data base and data base management
o CIM data base
o Data base models
o Network and relational data base
o Integration and implementation issues
o Requirements for integrated manaufacturing data
o System architechture
o Functional architechture
o Control architechture
o Data achitechture
o Steps in implementing CIM.
11. Automated material handling and storage systems
o Advantages of AGVs
o Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS)
o The main components of AS/RS
o Benefits of AS/RS
12. Robot applications
o Classification and reach of robots
o Cartesian, cylindrical, polar or spherical robots, articulated robots, SCARA robots
o Classification based on control system
o Point to point
o Continuous path control
o Controlled path computed trajectory
o Robot reach or work place envelope
o Major components and functions of robots
o Drive system
o Control system
o Sensors
o Robot grippers
o Robot programming
o Robot applications
13. Lasers in industry
o How lasers work
o Types of lasers
o Laser application
o Laser beam welding and machining
14. Rapid prototyping techniques
o How rapid prototyping works
o Types of rapid prototyping and rapid prototyping applications
5

3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

3.1

Lecturer(s)
Your lecturer is: Mr Steadyman Chikumba
E-mail : chikus@unisa.ac.za
Availability:

Mondays to Fridays from 09h00 to 13h00

Please adhere to these hours only.

Functions of the Lecturer:

Enquiries about technical content.

Set assignments.
Mark assignments.
Set examination papers.
Mark examination papers

Under no circumstances, should the lecturer be contacted with regard to examination

dates, results or receipt of assignment or assignment marks.

3.2

Department

You may contact the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering by post, email, telephone, or online through myUnisa.
Please refer to the booklet: My studies @ Unisa
Departmental Address:
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Unisa (Florida Campus)
Private Bag X6
Florida
1710
Phone: 011 471 2963
Use the general E-mail address: nkambule@unisa.ac.za
Find our Department on the Internet at the online address: http://www.unisa.ac.za
Always state your STUDENT NUMBER and your Module Code PRT401I in all
correspondence and enquiries.
Whenever you contact the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, ensure
that the first thing you mention after greeting is your subject code! It does not help to say
you are a student in Industrial Engineering, lecturers deal with modules.

PRT401I/101
3.3

University

If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this
module, please consult the publication My studies @ Unisa that you received with your
study material. This brochure contains information on how to contact the University (e.g.
to whom you can write for different queries, important telephone and fax numbers,
addresses and details of the times certain facilities are open).Always have your student
number at hand when you contact the University.

4 MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES
4.1

Prescribed books
Title:

Automation, Production Systems and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Author:

Mikell P. Groover,

Edition:

2008 or later

Publisher: Pearson Education

ISBN:

0-13-207073-1

4.2 Recommended books

Fred E. Meyers. Matthew P. Stephens Manufacturing Facilities Design and Material
Handling (3rd Edition), PEARSON EDUCATION
EB Magrab, SK Gupta, FP McCluskey, P Sandborn (2009) Integrated Product and
Process Design and Development, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, ISBN 1420070606
4.3

Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)

There are no electronic reserves for this module.

5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE

5.1

Study Guide

Your Study Guide is the first and main source of tuition to be studied in totality! a printed
copy will be sent to you (with an electronic copy online on myUnisa). Certain aspects in
the text book are elaborated on, explained, or omitted in the study guide.
5.2

On line resources

All course materials are available on myUnisa https://my.unisa.ac.za under the module
course code under Materials. Discussion forums are set up by your lecturer and available
for discussions with your peers https://my.unisa.ac.za
Some additional electronic resources are available from the Library site (via
www.unisa.ac.za).
7

You may electronically post or upload your assignments in line with the guidelines
explained in the booklet : My studies @ Unisa.
DO NOT EMAIL ASSIGNMENTS TO LECTURERS. DO NOT FAX ASSIGNMENTS. DO NOT
SEND ASSIGNMENT IN FRAGMENTS, BUT SUBMIT THE COMPLETE ASSIGNMENT

6 .MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN

Use your my Studies @ Unisa brochure for general time management and planning
skills.

7 MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING

There is no practical and work integrated learning in this module.

8 ASSESSMENT
8.1 Assessment plan
ASSIGNMENT
NUMBER

CONTRIBUTION
TOWARDS YEAR MARK

1 (Compulsory)
2 (Compulsory)
TOTAL

8.2

50 %
50 %
= 100 %

CONTRIBUTION
TOWARDS FINAL SUBJECT
MARK
10%
10%
= 10%

General assignment numbers

Assignments are numbered consecutively per module, starting from 01. Only Arabic
numerals are used: for example, Assignment 01, 02, 03. For detailed information and
requirements as far as assignments are concerned, see My studies @ Unisa, which you
received with your study package.

8.2.1 Unique assignment numbers

Unique numbers for assignments are as follows

Assignment 1 Compulsory
Assignment 2 Compulsory

Unique Numbers
559372
560126

8.2.2 Due dates for assignments

THE CUT-OFF SUBMISSION DATES FOR THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE :

Assignment 1
Assignment 2

4 May 2015
21 August 2015

PRT401I/101
8.3

Submission of assignments
You will find your two assignments for this subject in Addendum You are required to
submit two (2) assignments to UNISA before the closing dates stated in this section. The
year mark is based on all the assignment marks obtained and their contribution towards
the final year mark
For detailed information and requirements as far as assignments are concerned, see the
brochure my Studies @ Unisa that you received with your study material.
To submit an assignment via myUnisa:

Go to myUnisa.

Log in with your student number and password.

Select the module.

Click on assignments in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.

Click on the assignment number you wish to submit.

Follow the instructions.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

No late assignment submissions will be accepted.

Keep a clear copy of the assignment for your own reference. This is important, as
assignments do get lost.
Submissions of assignments must be in accordance to the services and
procedures handy guide.
It is your responsibility to check whether Unisa has received your assignment by
contacting the call centre two (2) weeks after submission.

8.4

Assignments

You will find 2 (TWO) assignments for this subject in Annexure A at the back of this
tutorial letter. All two assignments are compulsory.

9 OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS

None

10 EXAMINATION
A 3 hour examination will be scheduled for this module. Students can also be referred to
the myStudies@Unisa brochure for general examination guidelines and examination
preparation guidelines. Please note that students receive admission to the examinations
on the submission of their first assignment.

11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The my Studies @ Unisa brochure contains an A-Z guide of the most relevant study
information.

The table below explains fully where to find anything for this course. Please ensure that
you read and understand this section very well.
Ensure that you have received the Unisa booklet: My studies @ Unisa and that you have
familiarised yourself with its contents. Take special note of Unisas online internet facility:
myUnisa, and ensure that you register, if possible. It has many benefits, inter alia that
you can communicate with your fellow students on subject matters or submit
assignments.

12 SOURCES CONSULTED
Tompkins, J.A , Facilities Planning, 3rd Edition, John Wiley and Sons, NY
Groover, Mikell P. 2008. Automation, Production Systems and Computer Intergrated
Manufacturing. 3rd edition., Pearson International. London

13 CONCLUSION
After reading your tutorial letter make sure you purchase the prescribed book and get
access to library resources before attempting assignments. Good luck.

10

PRT401I/101

14

ADDENDUM: ASSIGNMENTS

QUESTION 1
1.1

Explain the concept of mass customisation.

(2)

1.2

Explain three mass customized product strategies.

(6)

1.3

Explain the challenges faced when deploying mass customization manufacturing

system.

1.4

(10)

Discuss the characteristics of layout scenarios, which can be analyzed by

simulation.

(10)
[28]

QUESTION 2
2.1

2.2

With examples and block diagrams explain the configuration and functioning of a
typical continuous control system in your workplace.

(16)

Explain the concept of polling in computer process control.

(4)
[20]

QUESTION 3
The installation of an FMS involves coordinating the various activities which include siting,
machine layout, project management, safety considerations, computer systems,
integration and commissioning. Discuss in detail these activities in FMS installation
process.

(20)
[20]

QUESTION 4
A company hires you as an engineer and they have a storage space problem. The director
has heard about ASRS. Explain the practical major components of this system and how it
can benefit the company.

(20)
[20]

QUESTION 5

Discuss the level of automation in your organisation under following headings:

5.1 Programme of instructions to direct the process.

(5)

5.2 Control system to actuate the instructions

(5)

5.3 Safety monitoring

(5)

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5.4 Maintenance repair and diagnostics

(5)
[20]

QUESTION 6
Discuss the inspection technologies in an environment you familiar with. Highlight the
following:
6.1 Hardware elements

(10)

6.2 Control, accuracy and reliability

(10)

6.3 Processes and products

(10)
[30]
TOTAL MARKS = [138]

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PRT401I/101
ASSIGNMENT 2
QUESTION 1
1.1

1.2

Identify and discuss sensing techniques used in industry, they principles and
applications.

(8)

Discuss the manufacturing planning and control activities in industry.

(6)
[14]

QUESTION 2
Explain how you would use any rapid prototyping techniques to a manufacture a product
of your choice. Highlight the following;
2.1

The product sketch and cost considerations.

(10)

2.2 The current process and its weaknesses.

(10)

2.3

(10)

The rapid prototyping process including literature search

[30]
QUESTION 3
Explain how you would use any non-traditional manufacturing techniques to a
manufacture a product of your choice. Highlight the following;
3.1

The product sketch and cost considerations.

(10)

3.2 The current process and its weaknesses.

(10)

3.3

The non-traditional process including literature search.

(10)

3.4

Process control considerations.

(10)
[40]

QUESTION 4
4.1 Discuss the classification and control of robots.

(12)

4.2 Choose one robot and explain in detail how you can install, implement and control in
an environment of your choice. Highlight the type of arms, sensor and gripper for
this application.
(20)
[32]
[TOTAL MARKS = 102]

UNISA 2015

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