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Units Department of Industrial Engineering Research in Department Cim Lab

Cim Lab
Research in Department of Industrial Engineering
The Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Laboratory serves as a main teaching and research Lab for the Department of Industrial Engineering in the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of  ngineering at Tel Aviv University.
The Lab offers introductory and advanced laboratories in Modern Computer Integrated Manufacturing.
Theoretical lectures are followed by practical laboratories and projects to cover the following concepts and technologies:

  • Robotics – including industrial and mobile robots
  • Computer Vision and Sensors
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
  • Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP)
  • Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Turning and Milling
  • Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
  • Automated Assembly and Supervisory Control
  • Smart Cards and RFID
  • Human Machine Interface (HMI)
  • Decision Support Systems and advanced algorithms
  • CIM in the Internet
Projects
In recent years the lab focuses on advanced applications and projects. More than 300 projects has been performed by graduate and senior under graduate students. Some of these projects are described in the lab website: http://www.eng.tau.ac.il/~iradcim/CimLabHome.htm

CIMlab1

Robolego: Designing an "artificial bug"

 

CIMlab2

Controlling the robo-bug movement manualy by hand signals

 

CIMlab3

Light chaser: A chase game between two robo-legos

CIMlab4

A Chess Game between two robots

Research
Quantum-Controlled Mobile Robots
CIMlab5Advanced research projects are being conducted in the lab. For example, one direction is the design of quantum-controlled mobile robot. The robot's navigation is based on quantum logic that governs its inner behavior. Quantum-controlled robots are being constructed in the lab. Preliminary experiments show that when these robots operates in certain stochastic environments they results in fewer errors in comparison with the classical controlled robots.

Internet-based Instruction and Control of Robotic Systems
Over the past two years, the staff of the Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Laboratory at Tel Aviv University has been developing an innovative system for remotely activating robotic systems. The lab team is now expanding the project to include Internet control of small mobile robots. Partial funding for this project was received from the Israel Council for Higher Education and the Israel Internet Association.

Instructional systems that can be remotely activated and controlled offer a number of advantages, such as increased use of existing lab equipment and greater flexibility for users – providing them with the possibility of working from home or any other remote site even overseas. Such systems can play a major role in exposing new users to advanced technologies such as robotic systems, programmable ontrollers, sensors technology and virtual reality – all without depending on physical access to university laboratories.

The Internet-based robotic system that is now being developed will enable potential users, such as students in rural areas and pupils at grade schools, to learn how to plan and control a robotic system in different environments. For this purpose, the lab team is engaged in developing and analyzing designated interfaces and user-friendly learning aids such as advanced three-dimensional simulation tools, image transmission interfaces, Internet-based user interfaces and other similar sophisticated software tools.

In addition to its technological value, the proposed project has many outstanding  social features. It will substantially contribute to opening new technological horizons to young people in developing areas and thus help reduce education gaps in different areas of the country. For example, a user residing in a village far from the center of the country will obtain convenient access to sophisticated facilities worth thousands of dollars. With a regular PC computer and Internet access, pupils in Israel's development areas will learn how to operate, in real-time, both mobile and stationary robotic systems that are located in universities around the country.

We plan to use this project to support cooperation between users remotely located from each other not only geographically but also culturally. For example, the possibility of pupils from a Tel Aviv school jointly conducting a technological project with students from a school in Jordan or Ramallah will not only enhance technological learning, but also encourage the development of ties between the groups and contribute towards achieving peace in the region.