( )Engineering Information Abstracts Part II 129

new perspectives to a foundation of competence centersŽ .equipped with necessary technologies. Author abstract 7

Refs. In English EI Order Number: EIP98054184853Keywords: Distributed parameter control systems; Automa-tion; Communication; Real time systems; Design; Teaching;Laboratories

2.5. Laboratory automation

Title: AUTOMATION OF HIGH THROUGHPUTS SCREEN-ING

( )Author s : Delorme, Denis S.Source: Industrial Robot v 25 n 1 1998. p 16-19 CODEN:IDRBAT ISSN: 0143-991XPublication Year: 1998Abstract: Advanced software is the key to successful labora-tory automation. This article first describes a process knownas high throughput screening used in the discovery of newdrugs. The automation of high throughput screening is thenoutlined at three different scales of investment and resultantthroughput. Finally, a comprehensive software architecture ispresented. This architecture addresses the key concerns ofend users: reliability, flexibility, modularity and ease of use.Ž .Author abstract In English EI Order Number:EIP98044145840Keywords: Automation; Computer software; Laboratories;Drug products; Computer architecture; Finance

Title: MULTIPURPOSE PROCESS SIMULATOR FOR AU-TOMATION ENGINEERING LABORATORY

( )Author s : Palma, Joao; Lacerda, Luis; Antunes, Jose; Simoes,FilomenaCorporate Source: Inst Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa -DEEA, Lisboa, PortConference Title: Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE International

Ž .Symposium on Industrial Electronics, ISIE. Part 3 of 3Conference Location: Guimaraes, Portugal Conference Date:19970707-19970711Source: IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Elec-tronics v 3 1997. IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, USA,97TH8208. p931-935 CODEN: 85PTARPublication Year: 1997Abstract: A simple electronic system is described which can be

Ž .associated with a personal computer PC and used to simu-late a wide class of real processes. The unit consists of anelectronic circuit with one 8-bit microcontroller and severaldiscrete and analogue IrO ports and a serial interface forcommunication with a PC. The IrO ports reproduce the realsystem interface, while the PC runs the chosen simulationprogram and shows the pseudo-system’s behaviour in a graphi-cal environment. This simulator is a low cost, compact andversatile solution developed for training on PLC programmingand testing. A great number of different simulated processes

Žcan be created on the PC by using a high level language e.g..C or Pascal . Two examples of such simulated systems are

shown: a simple one using basically discrete IrO and another

one devoted to analogue closed loop control with the PIDŽ .functions. Author abstract 7 Refs. In English EI Order

Number: EIP98034101936Keywords: Digital control systems; Research laboratories;Computer simulation; Real time systems; Computer termi-nals; Computer graphics; Programmable logic controllers; Highlevel languages; Three term control systems; Closed loopcontrol systems

Title: IMPLEMENTATION OF A LABORATORY LEARN-ING MODULE FOR PROCESS MONITORING AND CON-TROL

( )Author s : Aldana, Carlos; Erevelles, Winston F.Corporate Source: GMI Engineering & Management InstConference Title: Proceedings of the 1997 ASEE AnnualConference Conference Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA Con-ference Date: 19970615-19970618Source: ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings 1997. ASEE,Washington, DC, USA. 8p CODEN: ACOPDW ISSN: 0190-1052Publication Year: 1997Abstract: This paper describes the development of a labora-tory module in automation that presents students with anexperience in sensors, data collection and system control. Themodule features an Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Con-

Ž .troller PLC , a pick and place device with two degrees offreedom and two set point control modules mounted on thegripper and the rotary axis of the pick and place device, achute and escapement for accurate part feeding and sensorsfor part-size detection, and the detection of the limits of travelof the pick and place device. The system is designed todistinguish between and recirculate steel balls of three differ-

Ž .ent sizes 7r32 inches, 1r4 inches, 9r32 inches . Inputs andoutputs of the system were examined and the appropriateladder logic was developed. This ladder logic acts as the maincontrol for the system, however the PLC features a datahighway which was used to interface our pick and place device

Ž .to a supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA soft-Ž .ware and develop a man-machine interface MMI . During

the development of this module, students were exposed to aseries of different fields, from the mechanical design of thesystem, wiring of the set-up, implementation of the ladder

Žlogic and development of the man-machine interface. Author.abstract In English EI Order Number: EIP98034100718

Keywords: Engineering education; Mechanical engineering;Laboratories ; Automation; SCADA systems; Programmablelogic controllers; Grippers; Sensors; Ladder networks; Inter-

Ž .faces computer

Title: DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION LABORATORY FORUNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE EDUCATION

( )Author s : Hsu, Yuan-Yih; Hsiao, Nai-Yuan; Tsai, Ming-Hong; Wang, Pi-Chung; Jou, Houng-Shiang; Wang, Hsiang-YenCorporate Source: Natl Taiwan Univ, Taipei, TaiwanSource: IEEE Transactions on Power Systems v 13 n 1 Feb1998. p 1-7 CODEN: ITPSEG ISSN: 0885-8950

( )Engineering Information Abstracts Part II130

Publication Year: 1998Abstract: This paper outlines a five-year work of developing adistribution automation laboratory for undergraduate andgraduate education at the Electrical Engineering Departmentof National Taiwan University. A scaled-down three phasedistribution system model with a data acquisition system con-nected to a personal computer is built to facilitate physicalexperiments and real-time measurements. Remote control ofthe switches in the distribution system is made possible throughthe function of 8255 output ports and solid-state relays. Digi-tal simulation programs are also written in order for thestudents to understand the basic concepts before they actuallyperform experiments. Three important applications in dis-tribution automation, i.e., fault location identification, feederreconfiguration, and feeder reactive powerrvoltage control

Ž .using capacitor switching, are described. Author abstract 22Refs. In English EI Order Number: EIP98034096956Keywords: Engineering education; Electrical engineering;Electric power distribution; Electric fault location; Automa-tion; Remote control; Electric relays; Computer simulation;Power control; Voltage control

Title: COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN ROBOTICSAND AUTOMATION

( )Author s : Fukuda, Toshio; Arakawa, TakemasaCorporate Source: Nagoya Univ, Nagoya, JpnConference Title: Proceedings of the 1997 International Con-ference on Intelligent Engineering Systems, INES ConferenceLocation: Budapest, Hungary Conference Date: 19970915-19970917Source: IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Engi-neering Systems, Proceedings, INES 1997. IEEE, Piscataway,NJ, USA,97TH8224. p 17-23 CODEN: 002771Publication Year: 1997Abstract: Robots have been used in many fields of industry.Robots are regarded to be important for the automation infactory, laboratory, office as well as in space. These robotsmust have intelligent capability such as adaptation, learningand evolution. This paper deals with these kind of intelligentrobot systems. Recently, computational intelligence includingneural network, fuzzy system and genetic algorithm, has beendiscussed for realizing human intelligence. Human can get alot of information from their sensors by hearing, seeing and soon. And Humans can adapt to their external environments byusing the information effectively. Furthermore, human canimprove the environments to be useful for them. In order torealize these kind of human intelligence, each functions suchas perception, inference, decision making, and learning, shouldbe integrated effectively. The intelligence of a robotic systemdepends on the architecture of hardware and software as awhole system. This paper introduces a robotic system with

Ž .structured intelligence. Author abstract 14 Refs. In EnglishEI Order Number: EIP98024058995Keywords: Intelligent robots; Artificial intelligence; Automa-tion; Neural networks; Fuzzy sets; Genetic algorithms; Com-puter architecture

Title: RELOCATING AND REESTABLISHING A ROBOTICSLABORATORY

( )Author s : Scypinski, Stephen; Sadlowski, Theodore; Baiano,JohnCorporate Source: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc, Nutley, NJ, USASource: Laboratory Robotics and Automation v 9 n 5 1997. p229-236 CODEN: LRAUEY ISSN: 0895-7533Publication Year: 1997Abstract: Over the past several years, there have been manypresentations at various International Symposium on Labora-

Ž .tory Automation and Robotics Meetings ISLAR devoted tothe trials and tribulations of establishing a robotics facility inan existing laboratory environment. Recently, we in the Ana-lytical R&D Department at Hoffmann-La Roche have had

Ž .the good fortune or painful task of moving out of an existinglaboratory into a newly constructed building. The new labora-tory was specifically designed to accommodate robotic systemsand was not ‘converted’ from a laboratory already in use. Thisallowed the greatest efficiency in the use of space and indesign of services needed for the systems. It was also alearning experience with regard to areas such as building,electrical utility, and municipal codes. The room was evenoutfitted with its own high-pressure water system to supply thecleaning stations on the robots. Once the laboratory wascompleted and a certificate of occupancy was obtained, wefaced the task of moving the robotic systems. This monumen-tal task of disassembling, packing, moving, and then reassem-bling three Py systems as well as the various workstations

Žalong with their supporting instrumentation HPLC pumps.and detectors took several months to completely accomplish.

After reinstallation, the systems were revalidated. As of now,the Roche robotics laboratory is fully operational. We offerhere various tips and information to anyone faced with orcontemplating moving their robotic systems to a new location.Ž .Author abstract 12 Refs. In English EI Order Number:EIP97113927234Keywords: Research laboratories; Robotic assembly; Buildingcodes; Electric codes; Water supply systems; Relocation;Robotics

Title: SENSOR-BASED AUTOMATION SYSTEM FOR HAN-DLING NUCLEAR MATERIALS

( )Author s : Drotning, William; Kimberly, Howard; Wapman,Walter; Darras, David; Homan, Dan; Johnson, Paul; Kast,Brian; Kuhlmann, Joel; Lennox, R. Charleene; Montoya, CarlaCorporate Source: Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, NM, USAConference Title: Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE International

Ž .Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA. Part 1 of 4Conference Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA ConferenceDate: 19970420-19970425Source: Proceedings - IEEE International Conference onRobotics and Automation v 1 1997. IEEE, Piscataway, NJ,USA,97CH35992. p 352-358 CODEN: PIIAET ISSN: 1050-4729Publication Year: 1997Abstract: An automated system is being developed for han-dling large payloads of radioactive nuclear materials in ananalytical laboratory. The automation system performs un-