One of the most important application areas for automationtechnology is manufacturing. To many people, automation means manufacturingautomation. In this section, the types of automation are defined, and examplesof automated systems used in manufacturing are described.
Three types of automation in production can bedistinguished: (1) fixed automation, (2) programmable automation, and (3)flexible automation.
Fixed automation, also known as “hard automation,” refers toan automated production facility in which the sequence of processing operationsis fixed by the equipment configuration. In effect, the programmed commands arecontained in the machines in the form of cams, gears, wiring, and otherhardware that is not easily changed over from one product style to another.This form of automation is characterized by high initial investment and highproduction rates. It is therefore suitable for products that are made in largevolumes. Examples of fixed automation include machining transfer lines found inthe automotive industry, automatic assembly machines, and certain chemicalprocesses.
Programmable automation is a form of automation forproducing products in batches. The products are made in batch quantitiesranging from several dozen to several thousand units at a time. For each newbatch, the production equipment must be reprogrammed and changed over toaccommodate the new product style. This reprogramming and changeover take timeto accomplish, and there is a period of nonproductive time followed by aproduction run for each new batch. Production rates in programmable automationare generally lower than in fixed automation, because the equipment is designedto facilitate product changeover rather than for product specialization. Anumerical-control machine tool is a good example of programmable automation.The program is coded in computer memory for each different product style, andthe machine tool is controlled by the computer program. Industrial robots areanother example.
Flexible automation is an extension of programmableautomation. The disadvantage with programmable automation is the time requiredto reprogram and change over the production equipment for each batch of newproduct. This is lost production time, which is expensive. In flexibleautomation, the variety of products is sufficiently limited so that thechangeover of the equipment can be done very quickly and automatically. Thereprogramming of the equipment in flexible automation is done off-line; thatis, the programming is accomplished at a computer terminal without using theproduction equipment itself. Accordingly, there is no need to group identicalproducts into batches; instead, a mixture of different products can be producedone right after another.
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The industrial robot its a robotsystem used for manufacturing. Industrial robots Are automated programmable andcapable of movement on three or more axis.
There are many different types ofautomation applications that industrial robots are equipped to handle. Oftenrobots are designed or integrated with a specific task in mind and tailored tomeet the unique needs of that task. Some common forms of industrial roboticautomation include welding, material handling and packaging, pick-and-place dispensingand cutting.
Robotics are being used in manyaspects of manufacturing to help increase productivity and efficiency while loweringproduction costs. Similar to the healthcare industry many robots andmanufacturing collaborate with workers to perform repetitive monotonous orintricate tasks under the workers guidance and control.
With these machines precision isvalued more than speed as is the ability to be reprogrammed for specific tasksof different sizes and complexities.
Robotic manufacturing technologyis also becoming safer to operate cameras sensors and automatic shutoffcapabilities enable robots to sense and stay clear of humans in the workplace.
The robots’ actions are directedby a combination of programming software and controls. Their automatedfunctionality allows them to operate around the clock and on weekends as wellas with hazardous materials and in challenging environments freeing personnelto perform other tasks.
Robotic technology also increasesproductivity and profitability while eliminating labor-intensive activitiesthat might cause physical strain or potential injury to workers, despite highinitial costs. Industrial robots typically deliver great return on invest or ROI(return on invest).
The productivity gains fromefficiency consistency and reduced operating costs add up quickly part of whathas made industrial robots so popular among manufacturers over the past decade.
Complete the sentences.
1. Some common forms of industrialrobotic automation include welding, material handling and packaging,pick-and-place dispensing and cutting.
2. Robotics are being used in manyaspects of manufacturing to help increase productivity and efficiency whilelowering production costs
3. The robots’ actions aredirected by a combination of programming software and controls.
1. Some common forms of industrialrobotic automation include _____, _____ and _____, _____ and _____.
2. Robotics are being used in manyaspects of _____ to help increase _____ and _____ while lowering _____.
3. The robots’ actions aredirected by a combination of _____and _____.
