Automation is a technology concerned with the application of mechanical, electronic, and computer-based systems to operate and control production. This technology includes:

·         Automatic machine tools to process parts

·         Automatic assembly machines

·         Industrial robots

·         Automatic material handling and storage systems

·         Automatic inspection systems for quality control

·         Feedback control and computer process control

·         Computer systems for planning, data collection, and decision making to support manufacturing activities

Types Of Automation

Automated production systems are classified into three basic types:

1. Fixed automation

2. Programmable automation

3. Flexible automation

Fixed automation

Fixed automation is a system in which the sequence of processing (or assembly) operations is fixed by the equipment configuration. The operations in the sequence are usually simple. It is the integration and coordination of many such operations into one piece of equipment that makes the system complex. The typical features of fixed automation are:

·         High initial investment for custom-engineered equipment

·         High production rates

·         Relatively inflexible in accommodating product changes

The economic justification for fixed automation is found in products with very high demand rates and volumes. The high initial cost of the equipment can be spread over a very large number of units, thus making the unit cost attractive compared to alternative methods of production.

Programmable automation

In programmable automation, the production equipment is designed with the capability to change the sequence of operations to accommodate different product configurations. The operation sequence is controlled by a program, which is a set of instructions coded so that the system can read and interpret them. New programs can be prepared and entered into the equipment to produce new products. Some of the features that characterize programmable automation include:

·         High investment in general-purpose equipment

·         Low production rates relative to fixed automation

·         Flexibility to deal with changes in product configuration

·         Most suitable for batch production

Automated production systems that are programmable are used in low and medium volume production. The parts or products are typically made in batches. To produce each new batch of a different product, the system must be reprogrammed with the set of machine instructions that correspond to the new product. The physical setup of the machine must also be changed over: Tools must be loaded, fixtures must be attached to the machine table, and the required machine settings must be entered. This changeover procedure takes time. Consequently, the typical cycle for a given product includes a period during which the setup and reprogramming takes place, followed by a period in which the batch is produced.