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Automated manufacturing uses computer control systems to operate equipment, eliminating the need for human operators on the assembly line. This method improves safety, reduces costs, and can handle mechanical work and production task planning. However, it also eliminates jobs and is expensive to implement.
Automated manufacturing is a method of manufacturing that relies on the use of computer control systems to operate equipment in a facility where products are manufactured. Human operators are not needed on the assembly line or production floor because the system can handle both mechanical work and production task planning. The development of fully automated production systems dates back to the second half of the 20th century and this production technique is used in facilities of various scales around the world.
Historically, production was done entirely by hand. This required large amounts of labor, driving up the cost of the final product, and also exposed the workers to considerable danger. During the Industrial Revolution, mechanized manufacturing was introduced. In mechanized manufacturing, workers use equipment that does the work, instead of working directly. This has reduced costs, improved consistency and contributed to the development of occupational safety. Automated manufacturing was the next step in the process of refining and modernizing production methods.
In a fully automated facility, there are no humans on the floor. The automatic equipment does the job, as ordered by the control systems. These systems use complex software that can plan production tasks and run diagnostics on equipment that appears to be malfunctioning. Cameras connected to sophisticated software can be used to monitor product quality, assembly line speed and so on. Humans are mainly involved in maintaining equipment and programming control systems.
Automated equipment can manufacture, assemble and package products. Some systems also package products for shipping complete with invoices and mailing labels, sending the products directly off the line and into shipping trucks. The degree of automation depends on the company’s product and budget, as automated manufacturing is expensive to implement even if it saves costs in the long run. Consulting firms can assist companies in ordering, installing and customizing automated systems for manufacturing applications.
From a safety perspective, automated manufacturing is a significant improvement. If people are only on the assembly line when it’s shut down to work on the equipment, the risks of workplace injuries decrease dramatically. Managing automated systems also requires more training and expertise, and results in higher pay for workers involved in system maintenance and management. However, automated manufacturing also eliminates jobs. This has been criticized in areas where employment rates are low and people would prefer potentially dangerous manufacturing jobs to unemployment.
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