Terms and Concepts

·         Automation The control of a process by automatic means.

·         Closed-loop feedback control system A system that uses a measurement of the output and compares it with the desired output.

·         Complexity of design The intricate pattern of interwoven parts and knowledge required.

·         Control system An interconnection of components forming a system configuration that will provide a desired response.

·         Design The process of conceiving or inventing the forms, parts, and details of a system to achieve a specified purpose.

·         Design gap A gap between the complex physical system and the design model intrinsic to the progression from the initial concept to the final product.

·         Engineering design The process of designing a technical system.

·         Feedback signal A measure of the output of the system used for feedback to control the system.

·         Flyball governor A mechanical device for controlling the speed of a steam engine.

·         Multivariable control system A system with more than one input variable or more than one output variable.

·         Negative feedback The output signal is fed back so that it subtracts from the input signal. Open-loop control system A system that utilizes a device to control the process without using feedback. Thus the output has no effect upon the signal to the process.

·         Optimization The adjustment of the parameters to achieve the most favourable or advantageous design.

·         Plant See Process.

·         Positive feedback The output signal is fed back so that it adds to the input signal.

·         Process The device, plant, or system under control.

·         Productivity The ratio of physical output to physical input of an industrial process.

·         Risk Uncertainties embodied in the unintended consequences of a design.

·         Robot Programmable computers integrated with a manipulator. A reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator used for a variety of tasks.

·         Specifications Statements that explicitly state what the device or product is to be and to do. A set of prescribed performance criteria.

·         Synthesis The process by which new physical configurations are created. The combining of separate elements or devices to form a coherent whole.

·         System An interconnection of elements and devices for a desired purpose.

·         Trade-off The result of making a judgment about how much compromise must be made between conflicting criteria.