Monday, July 29, 2013

Automation Impact Humans

Automation refers to the use of instrumentation that have controllable devices such as computers to control machinery and processes of the industrial by replacing human operators. It refers to process or function which is self-driven and eliminates the need for human intervention. From 21st Century, automation has seeped into every aspect of our daily living. Automation does not aid but replaces human operators.

Example for automation is Automated Teller Machine (ATM) which allows users to check out their  account balances, withdraw cash, or make any such banking transactions at any time of day or night and even in the middle of no where. 

The impact of automation on individuals and societies has been thoughtful. If you think on some level, many unpleasant, dangerous or time-consuming tasks are now being performed by machines. Example is transformation of the communications industry which has made life better for the average person. In past days calls had to go through human operators, but today millions of calls are now handled by automatic switching machines.

One of the effects of automation is displacement of jobs. Long-run of automation on human resources are arguable. In this area, most of them are controversial and some of them are inconclusive. Workers are indeed lost their jobs through automation but compensated for these jobs once the demand for the products in rise due to the growing population.

Substitution of human labor and skill with computing machinery pitches economic stability, educational policies, government rules and regulations, and cultural environment. Thus change is unavoidable.

Last but not the least, automation has its advantages and disadvantages on humans. When one machine can do the work of ten workers, most or all of those people will be out of job.

Types of Automation

Automation refers to technology that uses computers and robots to automatically control and operate machines or systems to perform work normally or to help improve productivity and create easier ways to do business. Different types of automation are used for different types of industries. Examples for automation include automated meters and pumps, control systems, robots etc.

Three types of automation in production are used:
  • Fixed automation: Also known as “hard automation”, refers to an automated production facility in which a custom-engineered apply operations that are fixed and repetitive for producing similar type of products. In fact the commands are programmed in the machines in the form of cameras, gears, wiring and other hardware that is not changed easily over one product style to another. At first, using high investment and production rates it is featured. Characteristics of fixed automation include: High priced custom engineered equipment that cannot flexible to accommodate product changes. This feature backed to use this type of automation.
  • Programmable automation: This type of automation is used when production levels are very low with variety of products to be made and produced in batches. Reprogramming is needed for production equipment for each batch start to adapt the new product style.
  • Flexible automation: It is an extension of programmable automation because the main disadvantage with flexible automation is the amount of time taking to reprogram it and the equipment need to be changed for every batch of new product. It is designed to manufacture a variety of products or parts. There is no need to group identical products into batches instead a mixture of different products can be produced one after another. It is most suitable for the mid-volume production range.
Without various types of industrial automation, every aspect of it would have to be done manually.