Currently, all manufacturing companies that want to remain competitive on the market are focusing on the automation of production processes. Increasingly, various types of machines are replacing human labor—they are more efficient, faster, and more accurate than humans. How are modern production lines created? What benefits does automation bring? We will answer these and other questions in today’s post.
How are processes automated?
Automation aims to improve the processes taking place in a company. Production automation involves the use of various types of robots, control systems, and control software, as well as the construction of assembly, transport, palletizing, labeling, and other devices and stations, depending on the tasks performed by specific production lines. Machines and robots perform the same duties as a line worker, but they can basically do it 24 hours a day with the risk of potential errors minimized to an absolute minimum. Importantly, the devices can also work effectively in conditions that are unfavorable and dangerous to humans.
It is assumed that the automation of production processes can have 5 levels. Level 1 consists of manual processes in which no machines are used. At level 2, the operator starts and stops the machine that performs the work, and also loads and unloads it. Level 3 is also a manual-machine level; however, the machine starts and finishes the production cycle itself (the operator is only responsible for loading and unloading). At level 4, the operator only supervises the machine and moves the material to the next place of its use. At level 5, the flow of material is also automated, and the operator’s task is only to supervise the operation of the machine.
Why is an operator needed?
Even at the highest level of automation, an operator is needed to supervise the machine. Although machines usually do not make mistakes, over time they wear out, get damaged, or succumb to software errors. For this reason, an operator is needed who can stop the production process when they notice errors or shortages. It should also be remembered that machines must be serviced and repaired—which is why human involvement is essential, even in fully automated processes.