What is Industrial Automation and what is the use of?
Industrial automation is an industrial production process that includes a set of machines through which a combination of raw materials is transformed into a final product. Since the Industrial Revolution in England, there has always been a significant effort to develop sophisticated techniques to assist people with various manufacturing tasks.
In the process of industrial automation, the term "machine" can be anything such as motor, drill, conveyor belt, etc., which fall under electromechanical devices or chemical machines such as furnaces, dryers, chemical combustion systems, etc. Today, industrial automation has a major impact on the production process and it is almost difficult to produce without this automation system. Tools like Siemens PLC are among these automation tools. There are several factors that lead to the implementation of the automation system in industrial production:
Need for high quality goods
High expectations on product reliability
High volume production
What is Industrial Automation Equipment?
It is a process that works with machines and other industrial equipment with the help of digital logical programming and reducing human intervention in decision making and manual command process with the help of mechanized equipment.
Therefore, the operator must first adjust the amount of fuel in the oven by controlling a valve to bring the temperature to the desired value. After reaching the required temperature, it should be maintained by continuously adjusting the valve, i.e. increase or decrease the fuel according to the temperature for the next 30 minutes.
Now, with industrial automation, entire processes are handled without operator assistance. First, there is a temperature sensor near the oven that reports the temperature to the computer. There is a motorized valve that is also controlled by the computer to supply fuel to the stove. Based on the temperature reading from the sensor, the computer opens the valve to initially have more fuel. After reaching the desired temperature, the valve turns off.
But the computer can open or close the valve; To allow even the smallest amount of fuel, based on the temperature reading. The timer in the computer shows shutdown with 30 minutes, and the computer can turn off the system completely.
⚫️ The purpose of industrial automation
The term automation was invented by engineers from Ford Motor Company, who were the pioneers of automation and the assembly line. In the beginning, the industrial production process is based on the eyes, hands and brain of a worker, unlike modern sensors, actuators and computers.
Basically, the implementation of automation in a production process focuses on replacing a human worker with an autonomous machine. Initially, these autonomous machines had to be coordinated by a human supervisor for a smooth production process. But with technological advances in analog and digital control systems, microprocessors and PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and various sensors, it has become very easy to synchronize multiple independent machines and processes and achieve true industrial automation. With the rise of the industrial economy, the industrial automation business strategies have also changed over time. The basic goals for implementing automation are:
• increase production
• Cost reduction, especially human costs
• Improve product quality
• Effective use of raw materials
• Reducing energy consumption
• Increasing business profits
⚫️ Types of Industrial Automation
Now that we have seen a little about the layout of a typical industrial automation system, let's continue the discussion about the different types of this system. Industrial automation systems are usually categorized into four types:
Fixed automation system
In a fixed automation system, production equipment is fixed with a set of functions or tasks, and changes are rarely made in these operations. . Fixed automation systems are usually used in continuous flow processes such as conveyors and mass production systems.
Programmable automation system
In a programmable automation system, the sequence of operations as well as the configuration of machines can be changed using electronic controls. This system requires considerable time and effort to reprogram machines and usually in batch process production.
Flexible automation system
A flexible automation system is always controlled by computers and is often implemented where the product changes frequently. . CNC machines are an example of betting on this system. The code that is given to the computer by the operator is specific to a specific task and based on the code, the device obtains the necessary tools and equipment for production.
Integrated automation system
An integrated automation system is a collection of independent machines, processes, and data that all work under the command of a single control system to run a concurrent manufacturing process automation system.
(CAD) computer aided design, CAM (computer aided manufacturing), computer controlled tools and machines, robots, cranes and conveyors are all integrated using complex planning and production control.
⚫️ The benefits of industrial automation
The task performed by human operators can easily be replaced by tedious physical work.
Human operators can avoid working in hazardous production environments with extreme temperatures, pollution, toxic elements, or radioactive materials.
Tasks that are difficult for a normal human operator can be easily performed. These tasks include lifting heavy and large loads, working with very small objects, etc.
Production is always faster and the cost of the product is significantly lower (compared to the same product produced by hand).
Several quality controls can be integrated into the manufacturing process to create consistency and uniformity.
The economy of the industry can improve significantly, which has a direct impact on the standard of living.
