Automation is a term, which is used to do a process or work very much easily and accurate using advanced machineries. This term or technology arises as the part of third generation of industrial revolution that is, Industry 3.0. In general, the term automation can be used in such an area where the human cannot perform. In the case of industries, there are wide varieties of automation systems are used nowadays such that PLC, SCADA, DCS, PAC, HMI etc.
Most of the industries are going to be automated now. Because there are many advantages we have, when changing to automation.
- Time saving.
- Increases the productivity.
- Reduces human risks.
- Better product quality.
- Improve security.
- Reduce job stress of employees.
Automation is of mainly 3 types:
- Fixed Automation(Hard Automation)
Fixed automation or hard automation is usually related with the use of special purpose machines (SPM).Each of its operation sequences is generally simple, but once we automate the system, it is very difficult to give changes in the system, that’s why it is called Hard Automation.
Advantages:
- Low cost.
- Automated material handling.
- High production rate.
- Programmable Automation
In the case of programmable automation, we can accommodate changes in the sequence operations. Because, here the whole operations are controlled by a program, which is a set of instructions coded according to the operation sequence.We can create new programs to enter it into the equipment for producing new products or working the machine in a new sequence.
Advantages:
- Flexible to deal with design variations.
- Suitable for batch production.
- Flexible Automation (Soft Automation )
Flexible automation is an extension of programmable automation. Here, this type of automation creates a variety of products with no time gap for changing from one part style to another. Here there is no production time is lost when we reprogram the system and altering physical equipment’s as per the program.
Advantages:
- Continuous production of variable mixtures of product.
- Flexible to deal with product design variations.