Q. What is automation? What are the kinds of automation? - MBA Assignment Notes

Q. What is automation? What are the kinds of automation? 
 Answer: 

Automation is the use of computers to control a particular process in order to increase reliability and efficiency, often through the replacement of employees. It is “the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services.” 

For a manufacturer, this could be use of robotic assembly lines to manufacture a product. The automation profession includes “everyone involved in the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services”; and the automation professional is “any individual involved in the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services.” 

Automation encompasses many vital elements, systems, and job functions. Automation provides benefits to virtually all of industry. 

Examples of automation in industry:

• Manufacturing , including food and pharmaceutical, chemical and petroleum, pulp and paper 

• Transportation , including automotive, aerospace, and rail 

• Utilities , including water and waste water, oil and gas, electric power, and telecommunications 

• Defense 

• Facility operations , including security, environmental control, energy management, safety, and other building automation 

• And many others 

Automation crosses all functions within industry from installation, integration, and maintenance to design, procurement, and management. Automation even reaches into the marketing and sales functions of these industries. 

Automation involves a very broad range of technologies including robotics and expert systems, telemetry and communications, electro-optics, Cyber security, process measurement and control, sensors, wireless applications, systems integration, test measurement, and many, many more.

 There are three kinds of automation: fixed, programmable, and flexible. 

1. Fixed: By its very nature, fixed automation is rigid. 

They are designed for high volume production and their rigidity ensures less variability. They are not amenable to change in product or process. They need minimal human intervention. Examples: Oil refineries and chemical processing units. 

2. Programmable: Programming devices enable machines to operate automatically. 

The machines have sensing and control devices that enable this. The simplest of them called machine attachments replace human effort. They guide, locate, move, and achieve relative positions by means of cams, optical sensing, and load sensing mechanisms and activate the controls to remove human intervention. Numerically controlled machines read instructions and convert them to machine. Computers are used for controlling one machine or a number of them and they have programs written into them for operations. They are Computer Numerically Controlled or for short, CNC machines. 

 3. Flexible: Robots are higher in the order of automation as they perform a variety of tasks. 

They are designed to move materials by holding them in their arms and making precise movements according to programs written into the computers that reside in them. 

They simulate human actions. 

They can grip and hold tools with the help of sensors. These sensors are sensitive to touch and force to know that the material is to be held with the requisite pressure for the conduct of operations. Vision sensors are used for inspection, identification and guidance. 

They use optics based instruments to gather data and feed them to the computers for activating the other parts of the robot.

With the help of automation, 100% inspection of components can be done which ensures highest quality. Identification and movement of materials are helped by bar codes which are read and fed into the system for monitoring quantity, location, and movement. They help the automated systems to sort information and provide information for effecting any changes necessary. 

To make effective use of automated machines, we need to have the Movement of materials from and to different stations as also stores, automated. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), receive orders for materials from anywhere in the production area, collect materials and deliver materials to the workstations.

To make effective use of automated machines, we need to have the movement of materials from and to different stations as also stores, automated. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), receive orders for materials from anywhere in the production area, collect materials and deliver materials to the workstations. Computers and information systems are used for placing orders for materials, giving commands and adjusting inventory records which show the location and quantity of materials available/needed. Continuous updating gives a clear picture for all concerned to enable them initiate action to keep the throughput smooth. 

Automated Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS) like pallet trucks and unit load carriers follow embedded guide wires or paint strips to reach destinations as program. x