Definition - What does Industrial Automation mean?
Industrial Automation is a set of industrial processes that run automatically without human intervention. It is achieved by various means like pneumatic, electronic, hydraulic, computer and electrical devices. Some advantages of Industrial Automation are:
- It saves labor cost
- It increases productivity and throughput of the process
- It enhances consistency of work
- It improves robustness
These are generally done when a high degree of accuracy is required and when the tasks that are done in a dangerous environment.
Petropedia explains Industrial Automation
Nowadays, Industrial Automation is common in industries to produce high-quality goods at economical prices. The tasks are classified into the following categories, material handling, processing, assembly of materials, and inspection. The system can be programmed in several ways thus it is a customized way to fulfill the needs and requirements of the clients. Although the automation industry enjoys remarkable profits, it has some disadvantages too. For instance, the setup is costly, maintenance is difficult and experienced operators are required to handle the operations. However, the cost of the process may depend on the technology or the engine that is automated.