Samples of Tools Used in The Process | Industrial Automation Technology

1. Samples of Tools Used in the Process | Industrial Automation Technology Industrial Automation Technology refers to the control of industrial machinery and its various processes thus reducing the need for human intervention. Industrial automation technology makes use of various control systems such as programmable logic control, industrial control and numerical control systems. These applications are usually used in concert with information technology systems such as computer technologies that control the automated machinery. Automation is a step up from mechanization because it greatly reduces the human mental and sensory requirements, whereas mechanization assists human operators with the muscular requirements for the work. Industrial automation plays a large part in the global economy, and engineers work hard to combine mathematical tools with automated devices to produce better and more complex systems for the expanding applications and range of human activities. The automation of machines and other technologies has a big impact on a wide range of industries, for example; telephone operators have been mostly replaced by automated switchboards and answering machines, and automated teller machines now make money transactions much easier and help cut down visits to the bank.

2. Industrial automation is used in a wide range of industries for many different types of application and some of these can include: o Mechanical engineering o Industrial controls o Electronic engineering o Integrated circuit design o Motion control and fluid control o Data acquisition software There are many advantages and disadvantages in the scope of industrialization and some of these advantages are: o Economy improvement o Can be used to carry out dangerous tasks o Can replace tedious human tasks

3. Some of the main disadvantages are: o Automation has its limits and at present is unable to replace all human tasks o Development costs can be unpredictable o Initial set-up costs are usually high It is thought by some critics that automation will lead to higher unemployment, yet others argue that the opposite is true and that automation has led to higher employment. Automation is considered as one of the keys in order to facilitate a transaction. Banking and finance institutions innovated some systems to make sure that clients are provided with their basic needs when seeking services from these companies. Hospitals and other medical fields also make use of automation to make sure that proper diagnoses are given to their respective patients. This is the reason why industrial automation systems have been conceptualized. Industrial automation is more of a very technical term. The system consists of types of equipment for custom testing, process automation and industrial automation. The main purpose of such a system is to create digital and mechanical alternatives to solve problems in the manufacturing process. It also assists in quality control and product development. Here are different tools used in order to come up with the best industrial automation systems.

4. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) This automation tool is also known solely as the neural network. It is more of a mathematical model and is responsible in processing information coming from biological networks. Structures of the ANN are changed depending on both external and internal data fed into the learning phase of the system. It helps identify system controls such as those used in vehicles, processing, gaming, pattern and sequence recognition and medical diagnosis. Financial applications and data mining depend on this automation tool as well.

5. Distributed Control System (DCS) This is one of the industrial automation systems favored by several processes in the manufacturing industry. It contains one or more controller elements distributed in the system. The entire functioning of the system is reliant upon the existence of communication and monitoring networks. Broad categories of application for such an automation tool include: electrical power grids and generation plants; traffic signals; water management systems; environmental control systems; oil refining and chemical plants; pharmaceutical manufacturing; bulk oil carrier ships; and sensor networks.

6. Other Types of Automation Tools Aside from the ANN and DNN, there are other tools included in automation systems. Human Machine Interface, Motion Control, Programmable Automation Controller and Instrumentation art included in the list. Robotics, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Programmable Logic Controller should not be missed out on as relevant types of tools integrated in the system. Generally, these tools in industrial automation systems create a great impact on various facets of the manufacturing process. These systems are favored because they reduce lead time while producing higher product quality. They also simplify production, improve workflow and reduce handling. Though controversies arise on the implementation of such systems because of the fact that manpower is somewhat reduced, a lot of people look at the system as a morale booster especially when implemented and taught to people accordingly.