What is automation?

Automation is the technique of making an apparatus, a process or a system work automatically. The creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and distribution of products and services. Automation used to control and monitor a process, machine or device in a computerized manner that often fulfills repetitive functions or tasks. They are designed to operate automatically to reduce and improve human work in the industry.

These systems replace mechanical and repetitive tasks primarily performed by a person and his or her decisions in the production process. This is done through the use of logic programming commands and powerful machines.
 

What is production line automation?

An automated production system that completes all or part of the manufacturing process of a product. By a control system, there is a combination of a set of automatic machine tools and ancillary equipment in a process chain.

The use of automatic mass production lines can improve labor productivity, stability, and increase product quality. Improve working conditions, reduce floor space, reduce costs, shorten production cycle. Ensure balance and have significant economic benefits.
 

System automation is the use of aggregation technologies and automatic control devices. Helps to run industrial processes without significant human intervention. And achieve superior performance than manual control.

Automated production systems operate in factories on physical products. They perform operations such as handling, assembly, inspection or material handling. The technologies used in industrial automation have advanced significantly in recent years. Due to the digitization of manufacturing, especially with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), opening up more and more opportunities for companies to leverage automation solutions.

 

Automation is the key concept of Industry 4.0 and is a growing value in industrial companies. Organizations' interest in technologies that facilitate automation such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Blockchain is due to the benefits they bring. It presents outstanding advantages in many aspects, but above all, saves time and costs.
 

1 - Productivity

These systems make automation possible for factories and industrial processes, enabling 24/7 continuous mass production, which improves productivity and reduces assembly time.
 

2 - Quality

By adaptive control and monitoring in various industrial stages and processes, these systems are useful in eliminating human error and thus improving the quality and uniformity of products. products are provided. Performance is not degraded after several hours of continuous work.
 

3 - Greater consistency

Machines and computers operate at a constant and constant rate. As a result, automated production processes are longer, more stable, and more robust when managed with an automation system.
 

4 - Flexibility

Take on a new task in a traditional production chain that includes hourly or daily user training. On the other hand, with an automated system, reprogramming a robot or machine is a simple and quick process, providing greater flexibility in the production process.
 

5 - More accurate information

Automating data collection improves accuracy and reduces costs. Such increased accuracy allows company managers to make better decisions.
 

6 - Safety

It is safer to use robots on production lines where working conditions are dangerous for humans. With the aim of improving occupational safety and employee protection, it has promoted automation and robotics in the country's factories as well as the use of automation systems.
 

7 - Reduce costs

While the initial investment in industrial automation systems can be quite high, implementing this technology will help reduce the cost of data analysis. Furthermore, thanks to this automatic data analysis, the risk of machine failure and service interruption is minimized.
 

8 - Improve working conditions

Workers in a factory that have adopted an industrial automation system work fewer hours and spend their time on high value-added tasks.
 

9 - Increase added value

Automation systems free employees from having to perform tedious and routine functions. As the operation of machines and computers frees employees to perform these functions, they can perform more value-added tasks in other areas of the company of greater benefit.
 

10 - Human capacity is enhanced

The systems that companies deploy to automate their services not only perform tasks that a human would do, but are also capable of performing functions beyond the capabilities of a real person. They have better size, weight, speed, and resistance, among other characteristics.
 

Companies that choose to start an industrial automation process have different types of automation available depending on different levels of adoption, product range and production volume.
 

1 - Fixed automation system

In a stationary automation system, the production equipment is fixed to a fixed group of activities or tasks. And there are rarely any changes to these operations. Stationary automation systems are commonly used in continuous flow processes such as conveyors and mass production systems. This refers to an automated process in which a robot or machine is designed to perform a specific task, with high repeatability, and for very high production volumes.

These processes are fixed and cannot undergo any changes, but they are very fast, accurate, safe and with a high production rate. The benefits this type of automation brings to the industry are ideal for processes with high workloads and low job turnover. This is the most economical type of automation.
 

2 - Programmable automation system

In a programmable automation system, the operating sequence as well as the configuration of the machines can be changed. By using electronic controls, this system requires a considerable amount of time and effort to reprogram machines and is often used in batch production.

The automated industrial processes that fall under this category are controlled by a program consisting of a set of coded instructions for the system to interpret. New software can be used in these processes to produce new products, as the system is completely flexible. Ability to reconfigure and tune the device at both software and hardware level.

This type of automation is recommended in low-volume industries, as the process of reprogramming the machine to adapt to a new product is complex and takes specific time. For this reason, the processes are performed in batches.
 

3 - Flexible automation system

Flexible automation systems are typically computer controlled and deployed when products change frequently. CNC machines are an example of this system. The code provided by the operator to the computer is unique to a particular job. And based on the code, the machine acquires the tools and equipment needed for production.

Flexible automation makes it possible to configure the right machine for your new product in no time. This way, there is almost no time wasted in changing configurations from one item to another.

Since with this type of automation, no time is wasted on reprogramming systems or changing the physical configuration of machines, there is no need to make products in separate batches. We recommend this type of automation in medium productions. Thanks to the application of Flexible Automation, production is continuous and can be adapted to the different product types faced by an industrial plant.
 

4 - Integrated automation system

An integrated automation system is a collection of independent machines, processes, and data. All operate synchronously under the command of a single control system. To implement an automation system of the production process. CAD (Computer Assisted Design), CAM (Computer Assisted Manufacturing), computer controlled tools and machines, robots, conveyors are all integrated. Using complex production scheduling and control.
 

1 - System integration compatibility

You must ensure that the platform you choose is compatible with your existing systems. Or you'll need extra programming resources to make sure they're integrated.
 

2 - ROI

Some automated services come with significant costs. Make sure you determine the return on investment you will get before choosing your software.
 

3 - Complexity

Sometimes, the tasks you have to complete every day can be complicated. The software can do it for you. Multiple providers of related services to set up the workflow in the interface. Or make sure you can easily configure the system according to your business processes.
 

4 - Security

We often hear about computer security related problems. Indeed, every day there are countless hacking attempts. Of course, digitization opens the door to this vulnerability. But the best solutions always improve their security measures.

 

Industrial control systems (ICS) is a general term used to describe different types of control systems and related instrumentation, including devices, systems, networks, and controls used in used to operate or automate industrial processes. Depending on the industry, each ICS has different functions and is built to efficiently manage tasks electronically. Today, the devices and protocols used in ICS are used in most critical industrial and infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, energy, and water treatment.

Industrial control systems are organized into several layers based on the relative complexity of their control actions to the overall functions of the ICS. Common types of these control systems to be discussed further include:

• Programmable logic controller (PLC)
• Distributed control system
• Smart electronic devices
• Monitoring control and data acquisition
• Programmable automation controller
• Robot interface
• Industrial automation and control systems (IACS)
• Remote terminal unit

Intech Group will dive into your manufacturing process and build an intelligent automation solution. Precisely tuned, efficient integration of measurement solutions. Automation to improve throughput and improve quality. Take advantage of advances in technology to improve your production. We offer a specialized approach to every client's needs.

Intech Group delivers ultimate automation solutions, enabling customers to achieve competitive manufacturing today and tomorrow. From basic selection and sorting to advanced testing. From custom built terminal tools to design. Fully integrated with a team of expert engineers. We will offer solutions to improve the efficiency and profitability of your operations.
 

1 - Reduce product costs and waste

Connected manufacturing automation solutions provide teams with real-time data management that can be used to make critical decisions and save money. Proactively redirect resources across your supply chain or use embedded systems to solve maintenance issues and reduce downtime.
 

2 - Product quality is improved

Robots are always efficient, for critical tasks like product inspection the robot can be programmed to fulfill that sole purpose, ensuring that delays do not occur and output is always on schedule. specifications, which is essential in many industries that demand perfection.
 

3 - Faster response time

IoT integrations provide real-time, actionable data and unprecedented visibility into your activities. We set up your entire system, from production-grade working robots to custom software, and give you the strategic intelligence and insight to act quickly and confidently.
 

4 - Process automation solutions

Excellent engineers with an open source robotics software project, allowing us to seamlessly participate in the workflow of industrial companies and provide solutions at a lower cost when creating projects New production application.

 

Different automation systems can be used based on different functions to be developed:
 

1 - Artificial Neural Network

It is a mathematical or computational model that simulates neural connections, and as in these biological networks, the structure of the network adapts to changes depending on the information. They are used to classify relationships and identify patterns in the data set. Some of their applications are email spam filters, control systems, in-system pattern recognition (radar), spoken or written text, and automated financial transaction systems.
 

2 - Distributed control system

In these systems, the controls are not centralized and are extended by the system. These controls are extended according to the part of the system to be monitored. They are used in traffic light control systems, oil refineries and power stations.
 

3 - Human-machine interface

These systems depend on human intervention to function. Computers and ATMs are an example of a man-machine interface system.
 

4 - Monitoring control and data acquisition system

This system may include other systems such as human-machine interfaces connected to remote terminals, which translate the sensor signals into understandable data. This is a system that completely controls the production site and also the different production plants. They are very similar to distributed control systems. The main difference is that in the SCADA system, the control is not done in real time. However, the differences between the two systems are very different and they are often used in similar applications.
 

6 - Programmable logic controller

These are systems that operate in real time and control machines in industrial production lines. PLCs are small, programmable computers that control and automate processes in real time. They are designed to control multiple input and output signals. These systems have different applications and therefore have different uses as they control the operational logic of machines, factories and industrial processes, etc.