Automation Term Paper
Keywords – Automation, CIM, labor, Production, Rate, Quantity, Profit, Costs
Abstract
Automation is a phenomenon that is taking over the computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) world. It is virtually a process that is automatic, requiring no human intervention to perform its tasks – robots integrated into manufacturing. When deciding whether or not to incorporate automation into a system, a couple of factors have to be considered: the rate of production and the quality of production. Automation can be good or bad depending on how those two parameters are controlled and fulfilled. In certain processes, having too much automation can be bad due to the inability of a company to keep up with the costs and in others, the level of automation cannot produce enough quantity fast enough to keep up with expenses. Therefore, a complete analysis of a CIM must be done in order to optimize automation in manufacturing.
Introduction
The question that is being asked for this research paper is: “Why should the level of automation in a manufacturing facility depend on production quantity and production rate?” One of the main reasons why it is so important is because it helps companies and audiences to further understand why automation is implemented and to what extent it is effective – how do we determine if more or less level of automation is good or bad?. By understanding the concept of automation and the factors in the decision to incorporate it we can see the benefits of it and dis-benefits of either too little or too much automation. We can also see how much the level of automation affects the income of a company when production rates and quantities are involved.
Products are constantly being sold in stores but the environment and method in which they were manufactured are unknown to most. By determining different factors of the product itself, it can help to estimate the methods in which products are manufactured. For example, big name companies such as Honda
Abstract
Automation is a phenomenon that is taking over the computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) world. It is virtually a process that is automatic, requiring no human intervention to perform its tasks – robots integrated into manufacturing. When deciding whether or not to incorporate automation into a system, a couple of factors have to be considered: the rate of production and the quality of production. Automation can be good or bad depending on how those two parameters are controlled and fulfilled. In certain processes, having too much automation can be bad due to the inability of a company to keep up with the costs and in others, the level of automation cannot produce enough quantity fast enough to keep up with expenses. Therefore, a complete analysis of a CIM must be done in order to optimize automation in manufacturing.
Introduction
The question that is being asked for this research paper is: “Why should the level of automation in a manufacturing facility depend on production quantity and production rate?” One of the main reasons why it is so important is because it helps companies and audiences to further understand why automation is implemented and to what extent it is effective – how do we determine if more or less level of automation is good or bad?. By understanding the concept of automation and the factors in the decision to incorporate it we can see the benefits of it and dis-benefits of either too little or too much automation. We can also see how much the level of automation affects the income of a company when production rates and quantities are involved.
Products are constantly being sold in stores but the environment and method in which they were manufactured are unknown to most. By determining different factors of the product itself, it can help to estimate the methods in which products are manufactured. For example, big name companies such as Honda
References: 1. Automation Federation; “What is Automation?” Research Triangle Park, NC; Copyright 1995-2011 <http://www.automationfederation.org/Content/NavigationMenu/General_Information/Alliances_and_Associations/The_Automation_Federation/About1/What_is_Automation_/What_is_Automation_.htm> 2. I.A. Gorlach, O. Wessel. “Optimal Level of Automation in the Automotive Industry”. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth. 19 February, 2008. 3. I.A Gorlach, O. Wessel. 2007. “Case Study: Automation Strategies at Volkswagen”. Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering Vol II. July 2-4, London, U.K. 4. I.A Gorlach, O. Wessel. 2008. “Optimal Level of Automation in the Automotive”. Engineering Letters, 16:1. Port Elizabeth, South Africa 5. Rao, VS Rama; “Advantages and Disadvantages of Automation”. Citman Network, 17 Feb, 2006 <http://www.citeman.com/205-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-automation/>