Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with where human input is minimized. This includes enterprise applications such as business process automation (BPA), IT automation, network automation, automating integration between systems, industrial automation such as robotics, and consumer applications such as home automation and more.

Types of automation

-          Basic automation

Basic or task automation takes simple, repetitive tasks and automates them. This level of automation is about digitizing work by using automation to streamline and centralize routine tasks. This helps eliminate errors, accelerate the pace of transactional work, and free up people’s time to do higher value, more meaningful work. Robotic process automation (RPA) is an example of basic automation.

-          Process automation

Process automation takes more complex and repeatable, multi-step processes by integrating with multiple systems and automates them. This level of automation manages business and IT processes for uniformity and transparency. Using process automation can increase productivity and efficiency within your business. It can also deliver new insights into business and IT challenges and suggest solutions using rules-based decisioning. Process mining and workflow automation and Business process management (BPM) are examples of process automation.

-          Intelligent automation

The most advanced level of automation is intelligent automation. It combines automation with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities. This means that machines that automations can continuously “learn” and make enable better decision making and actions based on data from past situations they have encountered and analyzed. For example, in customer service, virtual assistants powered by AI/ML can reduce costs while empowering both customers and human agents, creating an optimal customer service experience. AIOps and digital workers are examples of intelligent automation.

Advantages of Automation in Manufacturing

What is the biggest impact of automation?

1. Lowered operating costs

Robots can perform the work of three to five people, depending on the task. And bar feeders and APLs (automatic pallet loaders) allow your machinists to attend to multiple machines at once. In addition to savings on the cost of labor, energy savings can also be significant due to lower heating requirements in automated operations. Automation integration streamlines processes and increases part accuracy, which means minimal material waste for your operation.

2. Improved worker safety

Automated cells, bar feeders and APLs remove workers from dangerous tasks. Your employees will thank you for safeguarding them against the hazards of a factory environment.

3. Reduced factory lead times

Automation can keep your process in-house, improve process control and significantly reduce lead times compared to outsourcing or going overseas.

4. Faster ROI (Return on Investment)

Automation solutions are based on your unique needs and goals and pay for themselves quickly due to lower operating costs, reduced lead times, increased output and more.

5. Ability to be more competitive

Automated cells, bar feeders and APLs allow you to decrease cycle times and cost-per-piece while improving quality. This allows you to better compete on a global scale. Additionally, the flexibility of automation integration enables you to retool a cell to exceed the capabilities of your competition.

6. Increased production output

A robot has the ability to work at a constant speed, unattended, 24/7, as do bar feeders and APLs. Automation in manufacturing means you’ve got the potential to produce more. New products can be quickly introduced into the production process and new product programming can be done offline with no disruption to existing processes.

7. Consistent and improved part production and quality

Automated cells, bar feeders and APLs typically perform the manufacturing process with better consistency than human machinists. This results in greater control and consistency of product quality.

8. Smaller environmental footprint

By streamlining equipment and processes, reducing scrap and using less space, automation uses less energy. A key benefit of automation is that it reduces your environmental footprint which can save you real money.

9. Better planning

Consistent production by automation integration allows a shop to reliably predict timing and costs. That predictability permits a tighter margin on almost any project.

10. Reduced need for outsourcing

Automated cells have large amounts of potential capacity concentrated in one compact system. This allows shops to produce parts in-house that have previously been outsourced.

11. Optimal utilization of floor space

Robots are designed on compact bases to fit in confined spaces. In addition to being mounted on the floor, robots can be mounted on walls, ceilings, rail tracks and shelves. They can perform tasks in confined spaces, saving you valuable floor space.

12. Easy integration

Productivity will work with you to provide a complete robotics solution system -hardware, software and controls. Your cell will be proven out at Productivity and shipped out production-ready — allowing you to start making parts as soon as it’s installed in your shop.

13. Maximized labor

Over the next three decades, statistics show that more than 76 million baby boomers will retire and only 46 million new workers will be available to replace them. During this time, your demand for labor will continue, making automation a real and viable solution.

14. Increased productivity and efficiency

·         24/7 production, JIT manufacturing-friendly

15. Increased system versatility

·         System flexibility, easily retooled and repositioned for new production programs

·         Robots, bar feeders and APLs are flexible and can easily be redeployed in new applications or parts

·         Robots, bar feeders and APLs have the ability to easily switch between a wide range of products without having to completely rebuild production lines

·         Quick changeover with auto grippers and vision allows for different part sizes and shapes to be part of the same run

·         Mixed-flow production approach allows for flexibility in adjusting to demand fluctuations

·         Robots are able to instantaneously “learn” new processes

·         Reduced changeover time