All You Need To Know About Industrial Automation Technology

If we asked you what's the one thing common between J.A.R.V.I.S, repulse blasts and the arc reactor, what would that be?

Yeah, they are related to Iron Man but there's one more similarity; these extraordinary inventions took place at Stark Industries. Stark Industries has been an unsung hero in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Well, Stark Industries not only introduced some exceptional inventions but was driven by the seamless combination of automation and industrialization.

From the arc reactor (the glowing circle positioned in the center of Iron Man's chest) to badassium (the new element discovered and named by none other than Tony Stark) to J.A.R.V.I.S (a super-intelligent AI who took care of Tony Stark's every need and whim)! Every invention by Tony Stark not only added entertainment but also took Marvel movies to another level. However, it shows that every industry is looking for ways to automate and streamline existing processes using the latest technology.

Simply put, in this real world, Industrial Automation Technology is creating wonders that are no less extraordinary than the inventions of Stark Industries. This article is all about that! To begin with, let's understand the meaning of Industrial Automation Technology.
 

What Is Industrial Automation Technology?

Industrial automation is the replacement of human efforts with the intervention of computers and machines. The word automation means "self-dictating" or "a mechanism that moves independently." It derives from the Greek words - Auto and Matos, where “auto” means self while “matos” means moving. The technology used in automated devices allows for superior performance over manual control by automating industrial processes without significant human intervention.


Industrial Automation Technology is the use of automated machinery to control industrial processes. The process of automating a production system typically begins with an analytical study of the production system. This includes mapping, modeling and optimizing the process so that it can be completed more reliably and efficiently by an automated system. Industrial automation is the use of control systems and information technology systems to increase the efficiency, accuracy and quality of manufacturing processes.

Let's head to the next section that decodes the evolution of Industrial Automation Technology.
 

Evolution Of Industrial Automation Technology

The roots of industrial automation trace back to the 1800s when automated tools and processes were started to be used to increase productivity and efficiency in factories. Yeah, it was an era when automated tools just sprouted! Then, in the 1920s, electricity boosted the process of industrialization, which led to faster production and changed the factory floor dynamics.

The 1930s and 1940s brought significant changes toward modern automation in industries. During this phase, manufacturing and production processes geared up and introduced time-efficient methods that relied on lower human effort. In the past three decades, there has been exponential growth in the area of industrialization.

2012 brought the exciting era of robots in industrial automation. Robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) were game-changers in the area of Industrial Automation Technology. Just like Stark Industries evolved into Stark International, Stark Solutions, Stark Industrialization and so on, Industrial Automation Technology also evolved after the introduction of Robots and AI. As a result, in 2016, the global shipment of robots was around 294,000, almost double the growth from what it was in 2012.

2020 saw the introduction and convergence of information technology and operations technology as manufacturers realized it was key to glorious digital transformation. 2021 strengthened the roots of Augmented Reality (AR) in Industrial Automation Technology. Employees working from home were reaping the benefits of AR by seeing the plants and assets with the help of digitally overlaid information. This transformation continued in the upcoming years.

Let's take a look at the types of Industrial Automation Technology.
 

Types Of Industrial Automation Technology

Here are some of the types of Industrial Automation Technology you need to know about:
 

• Fixed (Hard) Automation

  Fixed (Hard) Automation refers to the incorporation of special-purpose equipment to automate a fixed sequence of processing or assembly operations. Fixed Automation includes technologies like mechanized assemblies and machining transfer lines.

• Programmable Automation

  Programmable Automation is automation under which the production equipment is designed with the capability to change the sequence of operations to accommodate different product configurations. Industrial robots, Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machines are examples of this type of Industrial Automation Technology.

   

• Flexible (Soft) Automation

  Industrial automation involves several machine tools that are linked together by a material handling system which is often used to offer rapid and smooth changes to processes. You must have seen those specialized robotic arms that are often used to handle tasks such as inserting screws, drilling holes and painting items. This kind of Industrial Automation Technology belongs to the category of flexible automation.

• Integrated Automation

  The automotive industry, plastic processing factories, packaging industries, food and beverages industries and tobacco industries often use Integrated Automation solutions to reduce complexity, ensure higher productivity and reduce life-cycle costs.

The next section explains the benefits of Industrial Automation Technology, so let's wait no more and head-on!
 

Benefits Of Industrial Automation Technology

Sometimes you have to run before you walk, so let’s understand the benefits of running our industries with Industrial Automation Technology!
   

• Highly Productive

  With the help of Industrial Automation Technology, companies can run a manufacturing unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. This eventually leads to constant improvement in the productivity of the company. In a nutshell, it ensures that your production facility never sleeps and can scale to the demands.

• Qualitative Results

  To err is human, to forgive is automation (pun intended!). On a serious note, this quote fits in here because automation eliminates human errors and leaves no room for any risks. Besides this, robots, which are an essential element of Industrial Automation Technology, do not feel any fatigue which results in the constant production of qualitative products.

• Flexible And Safe

  Adding new tasks in your industrialization process requires you to train human operators and involves costs. It's no hidden fact that robots can be programmed to do any task which makes the whole process flexible. Moreover, deploying robots and automated technologies to handle hazardous processes prevents accidents and errors. So, it's time for robots to take over your industrial hustle!

Let's #sneakpeek into the future of Industrial Automation Technology.
 

Future Trends To Expect In Industrial Automation Technology

Let’s take the wheel and fly into the future!


Developments in Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, robotics and cloud computing will transform the manufacturing industry. Industrial companies will need to remain at the forefront of this revolution. The convergence of technologies has paved the path for industrialists to leap to the next revolution in industrial automation.

To stead ahead of the curve, industrialists will have to capitalize on technologies that are already out there. They have to accelerate technology implementation and unlock new sources that will bring value and productivity to their processes. No wonder the current trends in Artificial Intelligence-based robotics and cloud computing for real-time analytics will evolve and make industrialization quicker, more productive and safer. The future looks bright, right?
 

Conclusion

Industrial Automation Technology not only reduces variability in industrial processes but also eases the unpredictability within these production processes. It helps increase efficiency and productivity, which leads to a decrease in wasted effort, resources and energy. In order to create greater customer value and achieve operational excellence, companies need to understand what Industrial Automation Technology can offer them and use them in their industries.