Introduction to Industrial Automation
Industrial Automation is the process of automating the whole industry. Before diving into the deep sea, you need to know what automation is. The word automation is derived from the Greek Language. Auto means self-dictating and Mation means something is moving. When we put it together, it is a process that is operated or controlled automatically without the intervention of human potential or less human potential and this is called Automation.
We can see different types of automation in our daily lives, for example, when we approach the opening door of a shopping mall, it automatically opens for us, then we walk away from the door, and after that, it closes automatically. Another interesting example can be traced from our household which is the automatic tank filling mechanism/system.
Whenever the tank gets empty or lowered below a particular preset level, the pump automatically starts and the tank will be filled in minutes. Similarly, when the water gets filled or raised above a reference line, the pump comes to a halt. Furthermore, when a person enters a room, the light glows automatically up and when he leaves the light goes off. All of the above are examples of different types of Automation.
What are the different types of Automation?
- Car Automation
- Industrial Automation
- Home Automation
- Scientific Automation
- Software Automation
This article is completely focused on industrial automation. Industrial automation is the process of automating the whole industrial plant to obtain maximum output with less input, to improve safety, reliability, productivity, reduction of labor, repetition of tasks indefinitely, and so on.
This is an example that shows the need for Industrial Automation?
The above picture shows the need for Automation. The first picture shows, a man controlling a manual control valve for regulating the fuel supply for the burning process. He is sacrificing his health, time, and energy to control this process. He should continuously monitor the temperature gauge on top of that, he needs to adhere to the steam pipe to control the hand valve.
This is an unsafe procedure and not good for health. However, figure 2 is completely opposite. Instead of a man we are using a controller we are using a temperature transmitter as a controller to send the electric output and this is called a PV/Process Variable.
The controller is set for 100 degrees centigrade as the set point. The controller always compares the set point with the process variable. If the SP and PV are the same, then it will send the signal to the actuator. Here a control valve is used to control the flow of fuel to the chamber. This process is called Industrial Automation.
What are the advantages of Automation?
- Less Human intervention
- Improved Safety
- Improved Productivity
- No need to run the plant for a long time
- Remote control is possible
Author–Mus Hab Ibin Umer