Modern manufacturing has shifted focus towards integrating technology aimed at improving productivity, minimizing production costs, and enhancing production value. In this regard, the use of industrial automation systems is crucial in assisting manufacturers in optimizing their processes, which accompanied by the use of technology helps in improving productivity.
For B2B companies, the full potential brought forth by these systems is made only if they work closely with suppliers of industrial automation products. This article examines automation systems, their industrial impact, and relevant systems and technologies.
Industrial Automation Systems
Industrial automation systems is the merger of machines, controls, and IT systems designed to consolidate industrial processes. The aim of the systems is to decrease the value of human engagement in the processes by improving accuracy and eliminating errors. Their main systems include PLCs, HMIs, robots, actuators, sensors, robotic limbs, and pneumatic & hydraulic machines.
B2B companies that adopt industrial automation systems gain the following benefits:
- Increased Working Capacity: Automated systems value time and can work continuously without breaks.
- Qualitative Output: The chances of errors and defects are lowered.
- Decreased Labor Costs: Automation helps in performing repetitive work. In turn, these systems reduce the value of human engagement due to their illogical repetitive tasks.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Operations are monitored in real time and insights are generated through sensors and connected systems.
B2B companies seeking to modernize their facilities usually work with industrial automation products distributors to determine the most suitable assortment of machines and technologies for their production processes.
Important Technologies for the Growth of Industrial Automation
The growth of manufacturing is sustained and driven by numerous, interconnected technologies bound into industrial automation frameworks. For many B2B companies attempting to enhance their processes, comprehending these technologies is critical.
- Robotics and Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Industrial robots work on welding, assembling and packing, and other tasks with extreme accuracy and speed.
- Sensors and Actuators: Proximity sensors, other photoelectric sensors and pneumatic actuators, and many more, monitor and control devices and processes for safe, precise actions.
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC): The rest of the devices in the automation systems are controlled by the PLC known as the automation system’s brain, as it also manages the complex functions of the machines, production lines, and other systems.
- Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI): The primary and other operators are empowered with the automation systems control and are also provided with real time information to the operational systems.
- Smart Manufacturing and IIoT: Devices of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) enable systems and machines to communicate with each other and also allow for remote optimization of processes, and predictive maintenance.
Thanks to technology, producers are able to outdo their competitors. This is achieved by collaborating with industrial automation products suppliers where they gain innovative engineering solutions and the needed skill for swift effective action needed to achieve desired results.
Benefits of Industrial Automation Systems in Manufacturing
Thanks to automation systems, B2B manufacturers are able to save their business from losing money by optimizing processes.
- Increased Throughput: Businesses are able to achieve more owing to the fact they produce more with more machines in action with very little idle time.
- Reduced Error Rates: There is better quality of the resulting products since automation minimizes control processes to the most critical ones thus, reducing defects and also the need for reworking.
- Lower Operational Costs: Resources such as energy, materials, and labor are better spent with automated systems since they are better optimized.
- Scalability and Flexibility: It is easy to maintain modern systems. Reprogramming and expansion is possible with them to meet any desired production targets.
- Enhanced Workplace Safety: Dangerous work is taken over by machines thus, quelling the danger of injuries in workplaces and they do not have to be so concerned with liabilities.
This is what makes automation appealing and worth the money spent for manufacturers. It is important to work with industrial automation products suppliers since they know the systems to use that will help achieve the most operational efficiency and return on investment.
Implementing Industrial Automation Systems: Best Practices
B2B companies must achieve the following to be able to effortlessly integrate industrial automation systems.
- Comprehensive Needs Assessment: Every process in production must be reviewed. It is important to find what is slowing the system down and automate to increase efficiency.- Establish supplier relationships with industrial automation products suppliers that provide assistance in cutting-edge expertise and high-class parts.
- Enable automated system operations, monitoring, and maintenance through comprehensive instruction and education.
- As with any new automation technique, take care to work with previous machinery and systems to keep workflow gaps from appearing.
- Processes and systems should work further toward being proven to masters of advanced augmentation through the endless use of data analytics and IoT feedback.
Best practices above guarantee that the return of automation investments in manufacturing operations does not become a rare possession.
Challenges and Considerations in Automation Adoption
B2B manufacturing does stand to benefit from industrial automation systems. However, there does remain a glimpse of hardship to be observant about.
- One of the main pivots is the automation system investment which is relatively high as there is equipment, installation, and incorporation as well.
- Perhaps the biggest challenge in any tier level is adjusting to the automation system and accepting the differences from the previous culture.
- Automated machinery as well does require maintenance and the provision of technical user support to avoid downtime.
- Lack of system fragmentation is important when determining new automation technologies.
- Adequate system access is essential to minimizing threats that can come from a cyber connected industrial system.
Taking a responsive approach allows businesses to work with industrial automation products suppliers to manage challenges and lower potential pitfalls with the deployment of automation technologies.
Real-World Applications of Industrial Automation Systems
The scope of industrial automation systems has extended to several areas of manufacturing, including:
- Automobile Manufacturing: The use of automated assembly line and robotic welding has enhanced production speed and precision.
- Manufacturing of Electronics: The use of pick and place machines and automated testing has speeded processes and improved accuracy and defect elimination.
- Food and Beverages Sector: The use of automated systems for inspection, labeling, and packaging has improved the efficiency of the processes.
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: The use of precision dosing, filling, and aseptic packaging systems has considerably improved compliance and minimized contamination.
- Warehousing and Logistics: The automated storage and retrieval systems improved the space efficiency and reduced the handling time.
These applications for B2B manufacturers highlight the potential of automation systems for varying industries and the operational value automation systems can bring.
In conclusion, the use of industrial automation systems improves the efficiency, effectiveness of production, and the safety of the workplace, which significantly reduces the overall operational costs and enhances the quality of the final products. Hence, for B2B companies, adopting such automation systems has become a necessity. The firm will also benefit in terms of quality system components if it collaborates with skilled industrial automation products suppliers.
Businesses have and will always have a distinct and separate purpose to serve in society. After the advent of the industrial revolution and particularly in the era of globalization, automation became and still is a significant phenomenon in the layout of doing business. Automated systems and machines multiply the value of human service and skill and provide better/value/quality service within a fraction of time. Automated systems give a business a strategic edge over its competitors. It is essential to note the reasons why a business has to invest in automation. ‘Automation does not only imply the use of automatic machinery. It includes the use of systemwise working machinery, working, and other gadgets which may not be automatic, but which start functioning by the operation of some other. It is a logical necessity to define ‘automation’ in a broad context.
Automation comprises the overall process of machinery, operation of supporting systems and the networking of the whole. It includes instruments, telecommunication, computers, mechanical and electronic machines of differing skill levels, and operator inputs. In light of the context, the advent of automation was because of the increasing need to produce more value to the service a business is providing.
