Introduction To Automation: Basic Elements of An Automated System Advanced Automation Functions Level of Automation
Introduction To Automation: Basic Elements of An Automated System Advanced Automation Functions Level of Automation
Introduction
Automation is technology by which a process or procedure is accomplished without human assistance Automation is implemented using a program of instruction combined with a control system that executes the instruction Power is required to drive the process and to operate the program and control system
Power
Program of instructions
Control system
Process
Process power form Casting thermal EDM electrical Forging mechanical Heat treating thermal Injection molding thermal & mechanical Machining mechanical Punching & blanking mechanical Welding thermal
Controller unit
Modern industrial controller are based on digital computer
Program of Instructions
The actions performed by an automated process are defined by a program of instructions These processing steps are performed during a work cycle A new part is completed during each work cycle (sometimes more than one part produced during the work cycle ex multi cavity plastic part)
Load the part into the production machine Perform the process Unload the part
During each step there are one or more activities or more process parameter
Process parameters
Operator interaction
Ex automated engraving operation (operator may have to enter the alphanumeric character)
Manual participation in the work cycle Process parameter Operator interaction Variations in part or product style Variations in starting work units
Control System
The control elemen of the automated system executes the program of instructions The control in an automated system
Open loop control system Closed loop control system or a feedback control system
Open loop
Input parameter controller actuator process Output variable
Close loop
Input parameter controller actuator Feedback sensor process Output variable
safety monitoring
Reason
To protect human workers in the vicinity of the system To protect the equipment associated with the system
Safety monitoring means more than the conventional safety measures taken in a manufacturing operation
Safety Monitoring
Limit switch Photoelectric sensor Temperature sensor Heat or smoke detector Pressure-sensitive floor pads detector Machine vision systems
Levels of Automation
Enterprise Level
Flow of data
Plant Level
Cell or System Level Machine Level
Device Level
Device Level
It includes the actuators, sensors, and other hardware components that comprise the machine level The device are combined into the individual control loops of the machine For example the feed back control loop for one axis of a CNC machine
Machine Level
Hardware in the device level is assembled into individual machine CNC machine tools and similar production equipment, industrial robots, power conveyor, and automated guided vehicle Control level at this level include performing the sequence of steps in the program of instructions in the correct order and making sure that steps is properly executed
Plant Level
This is the factory or production systems level Consist of order processing, process planning, inventory control, purchasing, MRP, shop floor control, and quality control
Enterprise Level
Consist of the corporate information system It is concerned with all the functipn necessary to manage the company Includes marketing, sales, accounting, design, research, aggregate planning, and master production scheduling