In the manufacturing industry, the profitmaking sustainability relies very much on the production of its product. Moreover, the systems used in manufacturing are included in this aswell. Irrespective of the technology used in the process, the primary principles of manufacturing haven’t really changed for more than 100 years. This is mainly because even up to this date, the materials must still be moved, processed, and machined.
Nonetheless, due to the fact that we are now in the age of automation, the processes that the manufacturing industry perform has now become so much easier. Fortunately, with the rapid advancement of technology, processes have become much easier and faster. In general, automation has already resulted in so many positive outcomes. It has already become apparent that factory automation is so important for infrastructures and within different businesses.
What is Automation?
Automation process is an extensively accepted form of production, which has already made great leaps and bounds in the field of manufacturing. Automation has actually resulted in the creation of urbane functions that are capable of producing the same qualities of output with little or no disparity in the overall progressiveness.
The use of automation in the field of manufacturing has begun through the utilization of technologies like pneumatic and hydraulic systems, thus resulting in a much higher quality and more efficient output.
Ever since, we have produced a more highly integrated and more multifaceted system, which is comprised of different technologies, as well as pioneering procedures that are being controlled by a certain high programming language environment.
What is Factory Automation Infrastructure?
Factory automation infrastructure is a more freshly devised phrase, which is used in grouping the overall top-down successive; assembly lines, machinery, interfaces, controllers, networks, buildings, procedures, and products, which are involved in the organizational and physical facilities and structures that are used in the production of goods.
This particular grouping denotes a general manufacturing and engineering environment, which is defined through it capacity to assemble and / or manufacture goods mainly by machines, robotic arms, and integrated assembly lines.
These particular environments are well-defined by their own coordination with the needed automatic equipment, in order to form a wide-ranging system. Essentially, this system is a solution for the manufacturing and automation of a certain process of production of an anticipated end product or output.
Advantages of Factory Automation Infrastructure
The major advantages of factory automation infrastructure include:
– Performing tasks, which are beyond the capacities of human, especially in endurance, speed, weight, and size.
– Helps in replacing humans in tasks that are done in dangerous environments.
– Helps in replacing humans in tasks, which involve monotonous work or hard physical work.
– Aids in installing automation where a great extent of accuracy is necessary.
– Aid in installing automation in operations, in order to reduce the cycle time.
– Reduces direct human labour expenses and costs.
– Increases output consistency.
– Improves robustness of product or processes.
– Improves the quality or increase the quality’s predictability.
– Increases productivity and output.
Disadvantages of Factory Automation Infrastructure
Even though there are so many advantages, there are still some disadvantages of factory automation infrastructure, including the following:
– In the field of manufacturing, the purpose of the automation has moved to issues bigger than time, cost, and productivity.
– Much higher initial cost.
– Unpredictable or excessive development al cost.
– Security vulnerability or threats.
Regardless of the aforementioned disadvantages, the advantages of factory automation infrastructure still prevails by far.