Types of Industrial Automation Equipments and Systems
The need for industrial automation is more important than ever today. From industry automated equipment to types of systems, there are categories that determine integration levels and flexibility of operations in manufacturing processes. Using technology, repetitive and labor intensive tasks can be done easily without causing human fatigue and errors. There are several types of automated equipment and systems leveraged by companies into their factories to boost outcomes and profits. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Types of industry automation equipments
The industrial automated equipment is typically a category for production equipments used in factories to automatically perform some production operations. These equipments can be integrated with Laboratory Automation Software and computer applications to be monitored from the office. Industrial equipment automation reduces the number of workers required in the factory dealing with heavy machinery and equipments, assuring better safety and quality of work. The equipments can perform different functions defined by software. Some of these functions performed by automated industry equipment are:
· Product lifting - performed by vertical lifers and lifters
· Loads carried from cartons to chassis – performed by screw lifters, four-way and two-way lifters
· Lifting products in and out – performed by automatic lifting machines like conveyors
· Turn over heavy products – performed by turn-over machines
· Storage and support systems for tools
· Industrial robots and automation cells can also perform a broad range of tasks in a manufacturing unit
Equipment can be customized to meet industry-specific needs. Many existing equipments can also be partly automated with some form of customization and use of the software for control.
Integrated Automation
When a manufacturing firm runs completely on automation, that manufacturing plant is said to have leveraged integrated industrial automation. Total automation can be achieved where all processes operate through digital information processing, a few software drivers and computer control. It includes technologies like:
· Computer-backed design and manufacturing
· Digital process planning
· Automatic retrieval and storage systems
· CAM or Computer Aided Manufacturing
· NC machines or numerically controlled machine tools
· Automated material handlers like industrial robots
· Flexible manufacturing system (FMS)
· Computerized scheduling and production control
Besides, by using a common database, an integrated automation system can perform business system Robotics Integration. In other words, complete integration of processes and management operations is supported using information technologies, aiding advanced process automation.
What is the cost of industrial automation?
There are a lot of factors that determine how much industry automation can cost. Automation of the gravity roller conveyors are the least expensive ones. However, the prices will vary from company to company and your requirement. When you are considering the apt system for your business and determining the cost, you have to first consider the degree of automation needed based on labor conditions, assembly specifications, competitive pressure, market demand and cost of labor.















