In the later stages of the industrial revolution, the spiraling wage bill and cost of production forced manufacturers to consider all the alternatives. Automating processes was seen as one of the best ways of dealing with the ever-increasing wage bill. In plant automation, machines are controlled by programmed computers, not individual machine operators. Currently, the number of companies that are automating their plants is increasing at a very fast rate.
Process automation is basically a process control method that does not depend on humans. One of the benefits of these types of controls is that there are fewer errors since the human factor has been removed. Processes can continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without stopping, and this translates to increased output.
The ultimate goal of any firm or industry is to maximize profits by minimizing labor costs through reduction of machine operators and supervisors. This is easily achieved through automation, or replacement of human labor with machines and sophisticated computer programs. This is beneficial in that it minimizes production costs. This can lead to increased wages for employees and more profits for shareholders.
Plants in the city of Hudson, WI, can be automated using programmable logic controllers, or PLCs. These are industrial computers that can be programmed to perform a given function. They can act as switching devices for motors and other actuators. They can be programmed to run the process as desired by the production team. Since PLCs have limited inputs and outputs, they can only be used to control small plants. The size, processing power, input ports and output connections dictate the possible application of a PLC.
To remove the limited functioning of PLCs, SCADA was introduced. This system works like the PLC, but it controls hundreds or even thousands of machines. The central computer is located in the control room. This is basically the brain of the factory. Field modules and buses are used to connect machines to the central computer.
The capital investment that goes towards automating an industry can be huge, but it can be rewarding in the long run. This process normally entails acquiring equipment to use, installation of the controllers and computers, programming of PLCs and finally commissioning of the automated process. A few technicians and at least one engineer are needed to supervise the whole process. Once operational, the system becomes less prone to breakdowns.
Automating plants is not an easy or cheap undertaking, but it is necessary. Gone are the days when each machine in a plant must be operated by human beings. Manufacturers, processing and assembling industries should embrace new technology that comes with a myriad of benefits. The cost benefits of automation alone should be good enough reason to convert an industrial age process into a state of the art plant using SCADA, DCS (Distributed Control System), or PLCs
There are cases where automating a process is not cost effective. For instance, if only one or two people are needed to run the plant. Chances are that the same number of people may still be needed once the plant has been automated. This means that there might not be any cost benefits of automating such plants.
Process automation is basically a process control method that does not depend on humans. One of the benefits of these types of controls is that there are fewer errors since the human factor has been removed. Processes can continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without stopping, and this translates to increased output.
The ultimate goal of any firm or industry is to maximize profits by minimizing labor costs through reduction of machine operators and supervisors. This is easily achieved through automation, or replacement of human labor with machines and sophisticated computer programs. This is beneficial in that it minimizes production costs. This can lead to increased wages for employees and more profits for shareholders.
Plants in the city of Hudson, WI, can be automated using programmable logic controllers, or PLCs. These are industrial computers that can be programmed to perform a given function. They can act as switching devices for motors and other actuators. They can be programmed to run the process as desired by the production team. Since PLCs have limited inputs and outputs, they can only be used to control small plants. The size, processing power, input ports and output connections dictate the possible application of a PLC.
To remove the limited functioning of PLCs, SCADA was introduced. This system works like the PLC, but it controls hundreds or even thousands of machines. The central computer is located in the control room. This is basically the brain of the factory. Field modules and buses are used to connect machines to the central computer.
The capital investment that goes towards automating an industry can be huge, but it can be rewarding in the long run. This process normally entails acquiring equipment to use, installation of the controllers and computers, programming of PLCs and finally commissioning of the automated process. A few technicians and at least one engineer are needed to supervise the whole process. Once operational, the system becomes less prone to breakdowns.
Automating plants is not an easy or cheap undertaking, but it is necessary. Gone are the days when each machine in a plant must be operated by human beings. Manufacturers, processing and assembling industries should embrace new technology that comes with a myriad of benefits. The cost benefits of automation alone should be good enough reason to convert an industrial age process into a state of the art plant using SCADA, DCS (Distributed Control System), or PLCs
There are cases where automating a process is not cost effective. For instance, if only one or two people are needed to run the plant. Chances are that the same number of people may still be needed once the plant has been automated. This means that there might not be any cost benefits of automating such plants.
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