FLEXIBLE

MANUFACTURING
SYSTEM
Automation
Submitted To:
Sir Awais Ahmad

Submitted By:
ASFA (BSIEM06-35)

Date of Submission:
06-01-2010

IQTM
WHAT IS AUTOMATION?
It is the technology associated with the use of electrical, mechanical and computer
based systems to operate and control production in order to increase reliability and
efficiency. This is usually accomplished through programmed commands combined
with automatic feedback control to ensure proper execution of the instructions. The
resulting system is capable of operating without human intervention.
For a manufacturer, this could entail using robotic assembly lines to manufacture a
product.

Examples include:
• Automated machine tools that process parts
• Transfer lines that perform a series of machining operations
• Automated assembly systems
• Manufacturing systems that use industrial robots to perform processing or
assembly operations
• Automated material handling and storage systems to integrate manufacturing
operations
• Automatic inspection systems for quality control

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 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIXED AND PROGRAMMABLE
AUTOMATION:
FIXED AUTOMATION
A system in which the sequence of the
processing or assembly operation is fixed by the
equipment configuration
Consists of workstations connected by conveyers
or machine transfer lines
High initial investment for customized equipment
(Jig, Die, etc.)
Very efficient - High production rate (no extra
operations)
Relatively inflexible in accommodating product
changes
For the products with high demands and
volumes
Example: Automobile production
PROGRAMMABLE AUTOMATION
The production equipment is designed with the
capability to change the sequence of operations
to accommodate different product configuration
Operations sequence controlled by a program (a
set of instruction codes - system can read and
interpret)
High investment in general-purpose equipment
(flexible)
Low production rates relative to fixed
automation (not efficient)
Flexibility to deal with changes in product
configuration
Used in low to medium production
Example: Programmable Auto Equipments
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ADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATION:

• Increases productivity
• Reduces labor cost
• Alleviates the effects of labor shortages

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 • Reduces or eliminates the routine manual and clerical tasks
• Improves worker safety
• Improves product quality
• Reduces manufacturing lead time
• Accomplishes processes that cannot be done manually
• Reduces unit cost
• Performs repetitive tasks consistently
• Large amounts of data can be stored
• Data can be retrieved from memory reliably
• Multiple tasks can be performed at the same time
• High forces and power can be applied
• Performs computations quickly

DISADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATION:

• Worker displacement
• High costs of designing, fabricating, and installing
equipments/machines
• A higher level of maintenance needed than with a
manually operated machine
• Requires relatively extensive labor training in order to make labor capable of
operating automated machines