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Types of Automation System With Examples

Fixed automation involves dedicated equipment for mass production of a single product. Programmable automation uses general purpose equipment and batch production, while flexible automation allows continuous production of multiple products without changeover downtime through computerized programming and automated physical setup changes.

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621 views

Types of Automation System With Examples

Fixed automation involves dedicated equipment for mass production of a single product. Programmable automation uses general purpose equipment and batch production, while flexible automation allows continuous production of multiple products without changeover downtime through computerized programming and automated physical setup changes.

Uploaded by

tanvi tamhane
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Automation System with examples

Automated production systems can be classified into three basic types:


1. Fixed automation,
2. Programmable automation, and
3. Flexible automation.

Fixed Automation examples

FIXED AUTOMATION
It is a system in which the sequence of processing (or assembly) operations is fixed by
the equipment configuration. The operations in the sequence are usually simple. It is the
integration and coordination of many such operations into one piece of equipment that
makes the system complex. The typical features of fixed automation are:
a. High initial investment for custom–Engineered equipment;
b. High production rates; and
c. Relatively inflexible in accommodating product changes.
The economic justification for fixed automation is found in products with very high
demand rates and volumes. The high initial cost of the equipment can be spread over a
very large number of units, thus making the unit cost attractive compared to alternative
methods of production. Examples of fixed automation include mechanized assembly
and machining transfer lines.

PROGRAMMABLE AUTOMATION
In this the production equipment is designed with the capability to change the sequence
of operations to accommodate different product configurations. The operation
sequence is controlled by a program, which is a set of instructions coded so that the
system can read and interpret them. New programs can be prepared and entered into
the equipment to produce new products. Some of the features that characterize
programmable automation are:
a. High investment in general-purpose equipment;
b. Low production rates relative to fixed automation;
c. Flexibility to deal with changes in product configuration; and
d. Most suitable for batch production.
Automated production systems that are programmable are used in low and medium
volume production. The parts or products are typically made in batches. To produce
each new batch of a different product, the system must be reprogrammed with the set
of machine instructions that correspond to the new product. The physical setup of the
machine must also be changed over: Tools must be loaded, fixtures must be attached to
the machine table also be changed machine settings must be entered. This changeover
procedure takes time. Consequently, the typical cycle for given product includes a period
during which the setup and reprogramming takes place, followed by a period in which
the batch is produced. Examples of programmed automation include numerically
controlled machine tools and industrial robots.

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION
It is an extension of programmable automation. A flexible automated system is one that
is capable of producing a variety of products (or parts) with virtually no time lost for
changeovers from one product to the next. There is no production time lost while
reprogramming the system and altering the physical setup (tooling, fixtures, and
machine setting). Consequently, the system can produce various combinations and
schedules of products instead of requiring that they be made in separate batches. The
features of flexible automation can be summarized as follows:
1. High investment for a custom-engineered system.
2. Continuous production of variable mixtures of products.
3. Medium production rates.
4. Flexibility to deal with product design variations.
The essential features that distinguish flexible automation from programmable
automation are:

1. the capacity to change part programs with no lost production time; and
2. the capability to changeover the physical setup, again with no lost
production time.
These features allow the automated production system to continue production without
the downtime between batches that is characteristic of programmable automation.
Changing the part programs is generally accomplished by preparing the programs off-
line on a computer system and electronically transmitting the programs to the
automated production system. Therefore, the time required to do the programming for
the next job does not interrupt production on the current job. Advances in computer
systems technology are largely responsible for this programming capability in flexible
automation. Changing the physical setup between parts is accomplished by making the
changeover off-line and then moving it into place simultaneously as the next part comes
into position for processing. The use of pallet fixtures that hold the parts and transfer
into position at the workplace is one way of implementing this approach. For these
approaches to be successful; the variety of parts that can be made on a flexible
automated production system is usually more limited than a system controlled by
programmable automation.

The relative positions of the three types of automation for different production volumes
and product varieties are depicted in the following figure.

Automation in Production system

Types of production automation

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