Production automation systems have been developing and enhancing for years. In early years, production automation systems were primarily being used to measure production variables like flow rate, pressure, temperature etc with only a few limited remote control functions. The overall progress of production was rather slow because of the limitations involved like lack of understanding of the latest instrumentation technology, cost to use computer hardware and software, limited coverage of production operations and acceptance of new technological enhancements.
However today, instrumentation, communications, and computer hardware and software are, for the most part, accurate, reliable, and reasonably priced and affordable. One of the largest challenges to acceptance and support is insufficient training and staff development. People who have the necessary knowledge, skills, and motivation must be developed and retained. Both machine manufacturers and suppliers must improve delivery of support and training systems if this technology is to reach its full potential.
How will we benefit?
With the enhancement in production automation technologies, the number of people, along with the associated production machine equipment and vehicles required for routine checking, data gathering, and manual control tasks will be minimized. By converting low-skill manual-labor tasks to career opportunities requiring technical skills and knowledge, job content and satisfaction will drastically improve. Repair and maintenance costs will be minimized by keeping equipment operating within the safe operating envelope. Making optimum use of equipment minimizes unnecessary capital expenditures. Automating data capture and transmission from the machine manufacturing plant to all people and information systems that need information, both inside and outside the organization, reduces support costs
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