Oakton's Robotic and vision class is designed for students who must maintain, program or install robots or robotic CIM cells. The word Robot originates from the year 1921 and was first used in a Czechoslovakian play. The science fiction writer Isaac Asimov began writing stories about robots around the 1940's. While the promise of a robot helping man in a tireless manner were mentioned often in the past, it took the invention of the computer to bring the robot into reality. The present day industrial robot was created by the combination and integration of mechanical systems, fluid power, electrical power and computer technologies.

The definition of a robot has gone through many different iterations, and even today, means different thing to different people. Currently the Robot Institute of America defines a robot as: A reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move materials, parts, tools, or specialized devices, through variable programmed motions, for the performance of a variety of tasks. While this is quiet a mouth full, it encompasses most of the applications a robot can be used for.

 Oakton has recently purchased an IRB2400 industrial robot from ABB Inc. to be used as a training system for robotic and CIM cell applications. This addition will allow Oakton students a chance to work on and program a real industrial robot that industry is currently using in large numbers. This program will cover robot cell safety requirements, types and applications of various end effectors, motion profiles with acceleration and deceleration calculations, PLC interfacing, gripper interfacing, interface and use of vacuum pick up devices, and the use of a vision system for location and orientation. Our new ABB industrial robot will enhance this program and give our students valuable industrial experience.

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