Automation helps in various day-to-day industrial or manufacturing tasks with minimal or no human intervention. We can find automation in manufacturing, design, hospitality, and home to agriculture. This article will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of automation in the manufacturing industry.
We suggest you also read this article on machine monitoring systems in manufacturing.
Advantages of Automation
Automation at various levels in the manufacturing industry can have the following advantages.
- Reduce operational costs.
- Increase productivity.
- Improve manufacturing part quality and consistency.
- Reduce manufacturing and operation time.
- Better utilization of resources
- Improve Safety.
Here are the details on the advantages of automation.
Reduced Operational Cost
We can reduce the human resources on the shop floor with Automation in the manufacturing process.
For example, one operator operates one conventional machine, whereas a CNC machine works automatically with minimal operator intervention. Therefore one worker can control multiple CNC machines.
Increase in Productivity
Pick and place Robots or machines can work 24 hours round the year. They don’t need breaks like human operators. Therefore we can do manufacturing operations 24X7 by implementing automation. As a result, overall manufacturing productivity improves.
Improve Product Quality and Consistency
Automation in manufacturing operations brings consistency to the manufacturing operations. As a result, manufacturing variability reduces, and product quality improves.
Reduce Manufacturing or Operation Time
Machines work faster than humans. Therefore you can manufacture and deliver products more quickly.
Better Utilization of Resources
When automation does repetitive manufacturing tasks, human resources can do productive work.
Improve Safety
You can implement automation where human safety is a concern. For example, Automation robots are used to handle hazardous chemicals and perform operations in hazardous environments.
Disadvantages of Automation
Along with so many advantages, implementing automation can have the following disadvantages.
- Reduced Jobs
- High Initial Investments
- Less Flexibility
Here are the details on the limitations of automation.
Reduced Jobs
The number of resources required to perform given tasks reduces with automation. As a result, companies will require fewer human resources for given production volumes. Therefore unemployment may go up.
High Initial Investment
Automation is costly. We require a high initial investment for automation in manufacturing processes. Therefore we prefer automation only for high production volumes products.
Less Flexibility (Only Used for Repeated Tasks)
In automation, special purpose machines and tools perform required manufacturing operations. In most cases, tool changeover also takes lots of time. Therefore automated machines are less flexible compared to manual machines and are preferred for repetitive high production volume tasks only.
Frequently Asked Questions on Advantages and disadvantages of Automation: FAQ
Automation is used to do repetitive day to day, industrial or manufacturing tasks.
Following are the examples of automation:
- Auto text writing.
- Technical support bots
- Coffee making machine.
- Vending machines etc.
We will keep adding more information about the benefits and disadvantages of automation. Please add your suggestions, comments, or questions on the advantages and disadvantages of automation in manufacturing.
Add a Comment