Automation takes a step further mechanization that uses a particular machinery mechanism aided human operators for performing a task. Mechanization is the manual operation of a task using powered machinery that depends on human decision making.
On the other hand, automation replaces the human involvement with the use of logical programming commands and powerful machineries.
Industrial Automation is the replacement with computers and machines to that of human thinking. The word Automation gives the meaning ‘self-dictating’ or ‘a mechanism moved by itself’ that derived from the Greek words Auto and Matos where auto means self while Matos means moving.
In a brief, industrial automation can be defined as the use of set technologies and automatic control devices that results the automatic operation and control of industrial processes without significant human intervention and achieving superior performance than manual control. These automation devices include PLCs, PCs, PACs, etc. and technologies include various industrial communication systems.
Why Industrial Automation? (Advantages of Automation System)
- To increase productivity
- To provide optimum cost of operation
- To improve product quality
- To reduce routine checks
- To raise the level of safety