Disadvantage: cost to buy, install and maintain

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which statement about the start-up cost of an automated system is correct?

A It is expensive because sensors, microprocessors and actuators must all be bought

B It is cheap because the computer does all the work for free

2. Which cost is part of installing an automated system?

A Paying the sensors a wage each month

B Paying skilled technicians to fit and set up the equipment

3. A factory's robot arm develops a fault. What is the cost issue?

A Repairs need a skilled technician and can be expensive

B Repairs are always free because the system fixes itself

4. Which is a disadvantage of automation linked to staff training?

A Workers never need any training because the system is automatic

B Workers must be trained to use and look after the new system, which costs money

5. Why might a small farm struggle to use an automated irrigation system?

A The high start-up cost may be too much for a small farm to afford

B Small farms are not allowed to use sensors

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Cost of automation		ACost to buy and install = sensors + microprocessors + actuators + installation
2Maintenance and repairs		BAutomated systems are expensive to buy, install and maintain because they need sensors, microprocessors, actuators and skilled technicians.
3A high start-up cost: buying and installing the sensors, microprocessors and actuators needs a lot of money before the system can be used.		CAutomated systems need ongoing maintenance and repairs by skilled technicians, so they still cost money after installation.
4Small businesses and small farms may not be able to afford an automated system, so they cannot gain its benefits.		DStaff still need training to operate, monitor and look after the system, and this training costs money and time.
5Once an automated system is installed, it costs nothing more to run.		EIF cost > budget THEN not affordable
6Staff need no training because the system does all the work.		FSensors, microprocessors and actuators must be checked and fixed by skilled technicians, which adds running costs after the system is installed.

Definitions

Cost of automation

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

totalCost = buy + install + ________

IF totalCost _ budget THEN OUTPUT "Costly"

parts = sensors + ______________ + actuators

trainCost = staff _ fee

IF smallFarm ___ cost > budget THEN OUTPUT "Cannot afford" ENDIF

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A purchase <- 50000

B install <- 12000

C total <- purchase - install

D OUTPUT total

Question 2

A sensors <- 20

B cost <- sensors + 150

C OUTPUT cost

Question 3

A INPUT cost, budget

B IF cost > budget

C OUTPUT 'Too expensive'

D ENDIF

Question 4

A staff <- 8

B fee <- 250

C total <- staff * fee

D OUTPUT fee

Question 5

A total <- 50000

B FOR year <- 1 TO 5

C total <- 2000

D NEXT year

E OUTPUT total

Answer Key

Disadvantage: cost to buy, install and maintain

Section A: Quick Questions

A — It is expensive because sensors, microprocessors and actuators must all be bought

B — Paying skilled technicians to fit and set up the equipment

A — Repairs need a skilled technician and can be expensive

B — Workers must be trained to use and look after the new system, which costs money

A — The high start-up cost may be too much for a small farm to afford

Section B: Match the Pairs

Cost of automation → Automated systems are expensive to buy, install and maintain because they need sensors, microprocessors, actuators and skilled technicians.

Maintenance and repairs → Sensors, microprocessors and actuators must be checked and fixed by skilled technicians, which adds running costs after the system is installed.

A high start-up cost: buying and installing the sensors, microprocessors and actuators needs a lot of money before the system can be used. → Cost to buy and install = sensors + microprocessors + actuators + installation

Small businesses and small farms may not be able to afford an automated system, so they cannot gain its benefits. → IF cost > budget THEN not affordable

Once an automated system is installed, it costs nothing more to run. → Automated systems need ongoing maintenance and repairs by skilled technicians, so they still cost money after installation.

Staff need no training because the system does all the work. → Staff still need training to operate, monitor and look after the system, and this training costs money and time.

Section C: Definitions

Cost of automation — Automated systems are expensive to buy, install and maintain because they need sensors, microprocessors, actuators and skilled technicians.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

totalCost = buy + install + maintain

IF totalCost > budget THEN OUTPUT "Costly"

parts = sensors + microprocessor + actuators

trainCost = staff * fee

IF smallFarm AND cost > budget THEN
  OUTPUT "Cannot afford"
ENDIF

Section E: Spot the Error

C — The total start-up cost is the purchase price PLUS the installation cost. It should be total <- purchase + install.

B — Each of the 20 sensors costs 150, so the cost is found by multiplying. It should be cost <- sensors * 150.

B — An IF statement must end the condition with THEN. It should be IF cost > budget THEN.

D — The program should show the total staff training cost, not the fee for one person. It should be OUTPUT total.

C — Maintenance must be added to the running total each year. Setting total to 2000 wipes out the purchase cost. It should be total <- total + 2000.