Common applications of today"s automation system
Adapting an automation system will produce significant benefits in terms of profitability, production speed, safety and quality. Automation systems are available in different configurations even for a specific function.
The main goal of the automation system is to reduce human intervention. Adapting an automation system will produce significant benefits in terms of profitability, production speed, safety and quality. Automation systems are available in different configurations even for a specific function. This article will cover the most common applications of automation systems.
An automation system is an integration of sensors, controllers and actuators designed to perform a function without or without human intervention. Automation often reduces costs and improves output in both quantity and quality.
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The development of sophisticated sensors and low-cost microprocessors has made it possible to automate a wide range of machines and systems. In industrialized countries, nearly every aspect of daily life is affected by automation. The most common applications of automation systems are:
1 - Consumer products
Consumer products of all kinds, from cars to home appliances and home entertainment systems, are becoming increasingly automated. Your car's computerized fuel and ignition systems are designed to increase fuel economy and performance. Vehicles may have a GPS device to help the driver navigate and plan the best route.
Even smaller consumer products like cameras have auto capabilities. A type of camera that uses ultrasonic waves to provide autofocus. It transmits an ultrasonic wave, which is reflected when it hits the subject being photographed. When the reflected audio signal is picked up by the receiver in the camera, a microprocessor determines the distance from the camera to the subject by measuring the time it takes for the signal to reach the subject and back. The microprocessor then activates a motor that precisely adjusts the lens.
2 - Manufacturing industries
The manufacturing industry relies heavily on automation. Some of the most advanced automated systems are used in the oil, gas and steel processing industries. The automotive industry operates complex systems that include computer-controlled robotic devices. Other assembly industries also use such industrial robots. Aircraft manufacturers use single-arm robots to drill and nail the fuselage sections, while some electronics companies use high-performance robotic mechanisms along with computer equipment to finished product inspection.
3 - Petroleum industry
One of the first industries to use automation, the oil and gas industry led the way in the use of automatic control devices. The oil refining process is particularly suited to automation applications. It represents a manufacturing operation known as a continuous process, which is characterized by handling a continuous flow of materials from basic ingredients or raw materials to finished products. Crude oil is supplied through a maze of pipelines, towers, and ships, then it emerges as usable products such as gasoline, jet fuel, and lubricants. Another reason for the emphasis on automation in the refinery is the complexity of its operations. Processes occur under different temperatures and pressures and involve many chemical and physical changes that make human control impractical. Moreover,
The heart of a modern refinery is the control room with computerized control panels. The thousands of individual functions performed in the distillery units, catalytic crackers, and refinery facilities are all monitored from this center. Each of its control panels has a set of indicators for measurements, valve positions, controller settings, alarms and safety devices. It clearly shows the relationship between all these units. If any of them do not work as they should, corrective actions will be taken automatically. As a result, only a small number of operators are required to view the panels, and they rarely have to make manual adjustments.
4 - Iron and steel industry
The iron and steel industry uses automation for a large number of its operations. Automatic control has been applied to blast furnaces in which iron ore is reduced to cast iron. The devices automatically measure the pressure and composition of the exhaust gas from the furnace. This data is analyzed by computer and the results are used to adjust for the amount of blast air, temperature, humidity and other variables that affect the efficiency of the manufacturing process and the quality of the iron formed. .
Automation also plays an important role in some steelmaking operations, such as the shaping of steel ingots into sheets, coils and strips in rolling mills. In this process, steel ingots are passed between large, cylindrical rollers to press them into the desired shape. The devices automatically measure the size and temperature of the steel pieces each time they pass through the rollers. This information is transmitted to a computer that adjusts the distance between the rollers for the next pass.
5 - Automotive industry
The automotive industry initially applied automation to isolated production areas, primarily to continuous process operations such as crankshaft forging. This leads to an integrated model of production steps, with functions performed by automated equipment followed by manual operations requiring human dexterity and flexibility.
6 - Service industry
Most service industries, including banking, media, transportation and government, have been relatively slow to adopt automation technology. Computerized grocery inventory and inventory systems are a prime example of automation in service industries.
System automation is a growing trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Automation technology will continue to drive organizations to ever-increasing levels of efficiency and performance. To stay competitive in your particular market, you'll want to be among the leaders.
What is an automation system?
An automation system is an integration of sensors, controllers and actuators designed to perform a function without or without human intervention. Automation often reduces costs and improves output in both quantity and quality.
Applications of today's automation system
The development of sophisticated sensors and low-cost microprocessors has made it possible to automate a wide range of machines and systems. In industrialized countries, nearly every aspect of daily life is affected by automation. The most common applications of automation systems are:
1 - Consumer products
Consumer products of all kinds, from cars to home appliances and home entertainment systems, are becoming increasingly automated. Your car's computerized fuel and ignition systems are designed to increase fuel economy and performance. Vehicles may have a GPS device to help the driver navigate and plan the best route.
Even smaller consumer products like cameras have auto capabilities. A type of camera that uses ultrasonic waves to provide autofocus. It transmits an ultrasonic wave, which is reflected when it hits the subject being photographed. When the reflected audio signal is picked up by the receiver in the camera, a microprocessor determines the distance from the camera to the subject by measuring the time it takes for the signal to reach the subject and back. The microprocessor then activates a motor that precisely adjusts the lens.
2 - Manufacturing industries
The manufacturing industry relies heavily on automation. Some of the most advanced automated systems are used in the oil, gas and steel processing industries. The automotive industry operates complex systems that include computer-controlled robotic devices. Other assembly industries also use such industrial robots. Aircraft manufacturers use single-arm robots to drill and nail the fuselage sections, while some electronics companies use high-performance robotic mechanisms along with computer equipment to finished product inspection.
3 - Petroleum industry
One of the first industries to use automation, the oil and gas industry led the way in the use of automatic control devices. The oil refining process is particularly suited to automation applications. It represents a manufacturing operation known as a continuous process, which is characterized by handling a continuous flow of materials from basic ingredients or raw materials to finished products. Crude oil is supplied through a maze of pipelines, towers, and ships, then it emerges as usable products such as gasoline, jet fuel, and lubricants. Another reason for the emphasis on automation in the refinery is the complexity of its operations. Processes occur under different temperatures and pressures and involve many chemical and physical changes that make human control impractical. Moreover,
The heart of a modern refinery is the control room with computerized control panels. The thousands of individual functions performed in the distillery units, catalytic crackers, and refinery facilities are all monitored from this center. Each of its control panels has a set of indicators for measurements, valve positions, controller settings, alarms and safety devices. It clearly shows the relationship between all these units. If any of them do not work as they should, corrective actions will be taken automatically. As a result, only a small number of operators are required to view the panels, and they rarely have to make manual adjustments.
4 - Iron and steel industry
The iron and steel industry uses automation for a large number of its operations. Automatic control has been applied to blast furnaces in which iron ore is reduced to cast iron. The devices automatically measure the pressure and composition of the exhaust gas from the furnace. This data is analyzed by computer and the results are used to adjust for the amount of blast air, temperature, humidity and other variables that affect the efficiency of the manufacturing process and the quality of the iron formed. .
Automation also plays an important role in some steelmaking operations, such as the shaping of steel ingots into sheets, coils and strips in rolling mills. In this process, steel ingots are passed between large, cylindrical rollers to press them into the desired shape. The devices automatically measure the size and temperature of the steel pieces each time they pass through the rollers. This information is transmitted to a computer that adjusts the distance between the rollers for the next pass.
5 - Automotive industry
The automotive industry initially applied automation to isolated production areas, primarily to continuous process operations such as crankshaft forging. This leads to an integrated model of production steps, with functions performed by automated equipment followed by manual operations requiring human dexterity and flexibility.
6 - Service industry
Most service industries, including banking, media, transportation and government, have been relatively slow to adopt automation technology. Computerized grocery inventory and inventory systems are a prime example of automation in service industries.
Ending
System automation is a growing trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Automation technology will continue to drive organizations to ever-increasing levels of efficiency and performance. To stay competitive in your particular market, you'll want to be among the leaders.
