Introduction to Automation

 

Introduction to Automation

Have you ever wondered that the phone that you are using right now , is made up of hundreds of parts combined together,,, yesses that’s true. Cars, Trains and planes are also made up of hundreds of thousands parts combined together, and these all parts work together to fulfill your needs.

 But have you ever wondered how theses all small parts are manufactured and create a product that you and I use in our every day life to fulfill our needs.

Lets dive together into the world of Production Systems,,

Production system can be defined as collection of man, machines, materials and different methods organized in such a way to achieve the manufacturing targets of an organization.

Lets divide productions systems into 2 categories

1- Support systems

2- Facilities

Support systems mainly consist of the different methods including products designs, ordering materials, dispatching it to the required stations, removing different technological and logistical problems and also ensuring that the product meets the desired standards.

Facilities are the all the systems that are required to shape a product into reality, including the building of the factory, machines and all the other equipment used at different levels during the manufacturing of the product.

        In early days of the industrial revolution most these tasks were done manually, but it was a laborious process and there were many deficiencies with this process. with the advancements of the technology these tasks were gradually shifted to be performed automatically it increased the efficiency and the productivity of the factory.

ChristophRoser. Photo credit "Christoph Roser at AllAboutLean.com"., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

        In todays world many of these processes are automated means there are computerized systems who are performing these tasks for us. The most famous example of these automated systems are the self driving vehicles, in which there is very little effort of the operator is required to complete the task and it take us to our destination.

Benefits of Production Automation

Production automation offers many benefits, including:

     1  Increased efficiency            2- Improved safety

     3 Productivity                         4- Quality

     5 Reduced labor costs

By automating tasks, manufacturing plants can produce more products in less time while maintaining consistent quality. This can result in increased profitability and a competitive advantage in the market.

Examples of Production Automation

         1-  Automotive

The automotive industry is one of the largest users of production automation. Robots are used extensively in the assembly line to perform tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly of parts.

 For example, robots can weld car bodies with high precision and speed, resulting in consistent quality and faster production cycles  

2-  Food Processing Industry

The food processing industry is another industry that extensively uses production automation. Automated systems are used for tasks such as sorting, cleaning, cutting, and packaging of food products.

For example, in a fruit processing plant, automated systems can sort fruits based on their size and color, remove any defects, and cut them into the desired shape. These systems can also package the fruits into containers or bags and label them with barcodes for tracking. 

3-    Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry uses production automation for tasks such as machining, assembly, and testing of aircraft components. For example, in the manufacturing of aircraft engines, automated systems can perform tasks such as drilling, milling, and grinding with high precision and speed, resulting in consistent quality and faster production cycles.

Automated systems can also be used for assembly tasks, such as joining components with adhesives or fasteners. These systems can perform tasks that are difficult or impossible for human workers, such as joining components in tight spaces or at awkward angles.

                 4-    Electronics Industry

The electronics industry extensively uses production automation for tasks such as assembly, testing, and inspection of electronic components and devices. For example, in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs), automated systems can apply solder paste, place components, and perform reflow soldering with high precision and speed.

Automated systems can also be used for testing and inspection of electronic components and devices. For example, in the manufacturing of smartphones, automated systems can perform tests such as checking the touch screen, camera, and battery performance, ensuring that each device meets the required standards.

Conclusion

    In conclusion, production automation is a crucial aspect of modern manufacturing that offers many benefits. Examples of production automation include robots, automated material handling systems, conveyor belts, computer-controlled machines, and quality control systems. By embracing production automation, manufacturing plants can increase efficiency, productivity, and quality while reducing labor costs and improving safety.