Industrial automation refers to the use of computers instead of human operators to control industrial devices and processes. Automation is a step beyond mechanization. Mechanization means providing human operators with tools and devices that help them do their job better.
Production line automation
Production processes of automation systems
Industrial automation system has two production processes, which are:
Continuous (divergent) processes such as refining, petrochemical, chemical, food and …
Discrete (convergent) processes such as automobiles, electronics, home appliances, etc.
The benefits of automation
Some of the benefits of industrial automation are:
Increasing the quality of manufactured products
More accurate and faster quality control
Better interaction with business systems
Reproducibility of activities and processes
Increase production speed (production quantity)
Reduction of production waste (waste)