AUTOMATION

noun. the technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process by highly

automatic means, as by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a
minimum. a mechanical device, operated electronically, that functions automatically,
without continuous input from an operator. act or process of automating
Or automatic control is the use of various control systems for operating equipment
such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers and heat treating ovens, switching
on telephone networks, steering and stabilization of ships, aircraft and other
applications and vehicles with minimal or reduced human intervention.
Automation is the creation of technology and its application in order to control and
monitor the production and delivery of various goods and services. It performs tasks
that were previously performed by humans
Synonyms. cybernation mechanization high technology computerization high tech
mechanization

Examples of fixed automation include machining transfer lines found in the automotive

industry, automatic assembly machines, and certain chemical processes.
Programmable automation is a form of automation for producing products in
batches. ... Industrial robots are another example
Automation is a technology concerned with the application of mechanical, electronic,
and computer- based systems to operate and control production. This technology
includes automatic machine tools to process parts, automatic assembly machines,
industrial robots, automatic material handling and storage systems, automatic
inspection systems for quality control, feedback control and computer process control,
computer systems for planning, data collection and decision-making to support
manufacturing activities

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.
 Why do we need automation?
Operations automation results in higher productivity, reliability, availability, and increased
performance and can reduce operating costs. Moving to lights-out operations yields a good
return on investment. The benefits of automated systems can be a powerful motive for
increasing service to your end users.
Benefits of Automation
 Lower operating costs. Robots can perform the work of three to five people,
depending on the task. ...
 Improved worker safety. ...
 Reduced factory lead times. ...
 Faster ROI. ...
 Ability to be more competitive. ...
 Increased production output. ...
 Consistent and improved part production and quality. ...
 Smaller environmental footprint.
 9 Real-World Examples of Automation in the Workplace

by Brittany Ryan
Despite the buzz about robots replacing workers, many automation experts say  machines
can actually help us be more productive, freeing us of our most mundane and time-
consuming tasks so that we can drive more value at work. Here are 9 examples of how
automation, machines, and intelligent software solutions can make life in the office
easier.
1. Employee analytics
Smart automation systems excel at wading through deep pools of data to pull out
important insights.
Software solutions like Gusto, Culture Amp, and Luminoso help HR leaders make sense
of vast amounts of employee data to improve employee happiness year-round (instead of
waiting for the annual review). Big name companies like Johnson & Johnson, Roche, and
Hulu are already using these tools to better understand and engage their global teams.
But as with most new technologies, there are pros and cons. The Society for Human
Resource Management (SHRM) recently wrote about the dangers of putting blind trust
into an AI-powered HR tool. And as with automated recruitment, even a great AI tool can
have errors in its employee data analysis.
For example, if the AI has insufficient data to work with, it can end up taking the bulk of
its insights from one large group within the company, giving uneven weight to that cohort.
Always ask vendors for examples, case studies, and references to understand how these
tools function in a real-world workplace environment.
Culture Amp uses a heatmap to help HR visualize its employee data. This image shows
global employee survey scores by country, department, team, gender, age, and tenure.  
2. Hiring process
Hiring is one of the toughest and most critical tasks for any business—but sifting through
a sea of applications can keep your HR pros chained to their desks for days, or even
weeks.
Automated hiring tools can read through applications at amazing speeds, searching for
specific keywords to quickly identify the best candidates from thousands of applications.
According to CareerBuilder, 71% of employers  said automated applicant tracking
software helped improve the candidate experience. Automated hiring and recruitment
tools such as Mya, Smashfly, and BreezyHR use AI to significantly reduce the time to
hire and accelerate the screening process.
But there are some risks. Automated systems can sometimes overemphasize keywords,
causing them to miss qualified applicants—and even resulting in some applicants trying
to cheat the system. HR professor at Wharton, Peter Capelli  says it’s important  to ask
your vendor to show  (not just tell) you how their services get the right employees.
Automated recruitment tools like Breezy keep the process human with quick video
assessment tools to help HR pros save time and get to know the person behind the
resume. 
3. Employee help desk support
Chatbots aren’t only becoming more common, but more intelligent and useful.
And they don’t have to be limited to customer requests. Tired of answering the same
questions about vacation policies and wifi passwords? askSpoke can help.
Spoke uses a smart bot to answer internal requests, so you don’t have to. Employees
can send askSpoke their questions via Slack, email, SMS, and more—and immediately
get the info they need. And that’s great news for IT, HR, and office managers, who now
have way more time for their core responsibilities and big picture projects.
askSpoke sounds human, and learns like one too. It uses AI to draw insights from each
request, so it can answer future questions faster.
4. Meetings
In offices big and small, meetings can be tricky. Scheduling, finding the perfect space,
and making sure the right people show up—it’s a juggling act.
Tools like Doodle put an end to tedious group emails so you can easily compare
availability and find a time that works for everyone, even if you have participants in
different timezones.
And to help streamline face-to-face meetings, tools like Teem provide automated office
lobby displays to let visitors and customers know when they’re up, and help direct
meeting participants to the right room.
5. Form autofill
The boredom of filling out online forms and resetting forgotten passwords is easy to
dodge with tools like LastPass and RoboForm.
These awesome automation tools use strong encryption technology to help you securely
and automatically fill in any online form. Even entering payment information is fast,
secure, and easy. These tools can also help you generate extra strong passwords and
store them in a locally encrypted password-protected vault.
Save your mental bandwidth for the stuff that matters most. With these tools, one
password is all you’ll ever need.
6. Facility management
We think about work a lot, but not really from a brick-and-mortar perspective. But great
facilities management can do a lot for your office (and your bottom line!).
According to Emaint facilities management software, their automated services have
helped companies save up to $100,000 dollars in annual operating expenses and
improve productivity by 20%. Automated workplace tools like Comfy can connect
employees directly to office buildings and workplace systems, allowing them to request
temperature changes, see available meeting rooms, and control lighting.
Then there’s tools that use Bluetooth beacons such Kisi and Estimote, which can make it
incredibly easy to grant access to your physical work spaces, help new employees
navigate the office, or even kick off a meeting as soon as the organizer enters the room.
Many automated solutions record and measure facilities data and can even alert your
facilities manager to problems in real-time, so they take immediate action and keep the
office running smoothly.
7. Office design
Automated facilities management is pretty cool, right?
Great automation can go even further, to actually inform the total design of your
workplace—we’re talking everything from the fern in the lobby to the mousepad on your
desk.
Case in point, Toronto-based company AutoDesk used a combo of AI and generative
design for their 16,000-sq-ft headquarters to make sure each and every one of their 250
employees had the office workspace of their dreams.
Design firms like Dialog and software tools like Fusion360 use AI to create and compare
thousands of intelligent office designs and select the one that best meets the needs of
your entire workforce.

8. Customer support
Customers need support around the clock, making it hard to manage for normal human
beings who need sleep. Thank goodness for chatbots.
Chatbots can easily take the night shift for your employees and make sure your
customers get the support they need. From classic Facebook Messenger,
to ChatFuel (used by the likes of Adidas, MTV, and TechCrunch), and Chatlio (great for
Slack users), there’s no shortage of great options for off-the-shelf or build-your-
own customer support chatbots .
According to a recent survey, 45.8% of people  would rather contact a business through
messaging than email. And most chatbots can easily integrate with automated customer
support desks like Zendesk and Freshdesk, which can dramatically reduce support desk
traffic and time per ticket. You can also set automated follow-ups to make sure your
support teams connect more personally, say by phone or personal email, at the right time
in the customer journey.
Because after all, humans still like talking to humans. Try these tips to make your bot feel
more human, when there just isn’t one available.
9. Digital signatures
As so many technologies advance, it seems like printers stay stuck in the past .
Tools like DocuSign and HelloSign  make it a breeze to send and sign important
documents without ever having to worry about printer jams or ink refills.
Electronic signatures are increasingly commonplace in many business settings, and they
can drastically cut down approval times to help keep teams moving forward.
With most document sending and signing tools, you can upload and save your most
commonly used templates to speed up the doc prepping process. Most automated e-
signature tools will also monitor and secure your docs, so you always know the status of
your pending contracts, and can rest assured knowing they’re being safely sent and
received.