Automation

WHAT IS AUTOMATION?It is the technology associated with the use of electrical, mechanical and computer based systems to operate and control production in order to increase reliability and efficiency. This is usually accomplished through programmed commands combined with automatic feedback control to ensure proper execution of the instructions. The resulting system is capable of operating without human intervention.For a manufacturer, this could entail using robotic assembly lines to manufacture a product.

IQTM

FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMAutomation

Submitted To:Sir Awais Ahmad

Submitted By:ASFA (BSIEM06-35)

Date of Submission: 06-01-2010

Examples include: Automated machine tools that process parts Transfer lines that perform a series of machining operations Automated assembly systems Manufacturing systems that use industrial robots to perform processing or

assembly operations Automated material handling and storage systems to integrate manufacturing

operations Automatic inspection systems for quality control

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIXED AND PROGRAMMABLE AUTOMATION:

FIXED AUTOMATION PROGRAMMABLE AUTOMATION

A system in which the sequence of theprocessing or assembly operation is fixed by the equipment configuration

The production equipment is designed with thecapability to change the sequence of operationsto accommodate different product configuration

Consists of workstations connected by conveyers Operations sequence controlled by a program (a

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or machine transfer linesset of instruction codes - system can read andinterpret)

High initial investment for customized equipment (Jig, Die, etc.)

High investment in general-purpose equipment (flexible)

Very efficient - High production rate (no extra operations)

Low production rates relative to fixedautomation (not efficient)

Relatively inflexible in accommodating product changes

Flexibility to deal with changes in product configuration

For the products with high demands andvolumes

Used in low to medium production

Example: Automobile production Example: Programmable Auto Equipments

ADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATION:

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Increases productivity Reduces labor cost Alleviates the effects of labor shortages Reduces or eliminates the routine manual and clerical tasks Improves worker safety Improves product quality Reduces manufacturing lead time Accomplishes processes that cannot be done manually Reduces unit cost Performs repetitive tasks consistently Large amounts of data can be stored Data can be retrieved from memory reliably Multiple tasks can be performed at the same time High forces and power can be applied Performs computations quickly

DISADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATION:

Worker displacement High costs of designing, fabricating, and installing

equipments/machines A higher level of maintenance needed than with a

manually operated machine Requires relatively extensive labor training in order to make labor capable of

operating automated machines

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