Level of automation

Level of automation

Automation definition-

Automation is the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services

automatic control to any branch of industry or science; by extension, the use of electronic or mechanical

devices to replace human labor

1. Device-level

• This is the lowest level in which the individual devices are automated.
• It includes the actuators, sensors, and other and electronic hardware parts that comprise the machine level.
• The devices are combined into the individual control loops of the machine.
• For example, the feedback control loop for one axis of a CNC machine or one joint of an industrial robot.

2. Machine level

• At this level, the automated devices are assembled into individual machines.
• Examples include CNC machine tools and similar production equipment, industrial robots, powered conveyors, and automated guided vehicles. 
• Control functions at this level include performing the sequence of steps in the program of instructions in the correct order and making sure that each step is properly executed.
• each device is arranged in sequence in the program to perform individual tasks.

3. Cell or System level

• This is the manufacturing cell or system-level automation.
• A manufacturing cell or system is a group of machines or workstations connected and supported by a material handling system, computer, and other equipment appropriate to the manufacturing process.
• It operated under instructions from the plant level.
• Production lines are included in this level. 
• Likely functions include part dispatching and machine loading, coordination among machines and material handling system, and collecting and evaluating inspection data.

4. Plant-level

• This is the factory or production systems level. It receives instructions from (the corporate information system and translates them into operational plans for production.
• It contains a central database from which most of the plant devices and systems are operated and controlled.
• Likely functions include order processing, process planning, inventory control, purchasing, material requirements planning, shop floor control, and quality control.

5. Enterprise-level

• This is the highest level of automation consisting of the corporate information system.
• It is concerned with all of the functions necessary to manage the company: marketing and sales, accounting, design, research, aggregate planning, and master production scheduling.
• At this level, all the plans for future production are prepared.
• At this level, the whole systems of the plant are considered or included while making a plan for new product manufacturing or expansion of existing plans.