Automation

Automation is a hot tomato and a weird topic for both industries and employees post Covid-19. These two are confused about automation processes and of course they should be. we have to wait to see how automation  will impact employment.  So let's learn something about automation before going deep inside it.

Type of Automation-

1. Fixed automation

2. Programmable automation

3. Flexible automation

Fixed Automation

A manufacturing system in which the sequence of processing (or assembly)

operations are fixed by the equipment configuration

Typical features:

• Suited to high production quantities
• High initial investment in custom-engineered equipment
• High production rates
• Relatively inflexible in accommodating product variety

Programmable Automation

A manufacturing system designed with the capability to change the sequence of operations to accommodate different product configurations. Programmable automation is a form of automation for manufacturing products in batches. 

Typical features:

• High investment in general purpose equipment
• Lower production rates than fixed automation
• Flexibility to deal with variations and changes in product configuration
• Most suitable for batch production
• Physical setup and part program must be changed between jobs (batches)

Flexible Automation

An extension of programmable automation in which the system is capable
of changing from one job to the next with no lost time between jobs

Typical features:

• High investment in custom-engineered systems
• Continuous production of variable mixes of products
• Medium production rates
• Flexibility to deal with soft product variety