What Is an Automation Control System?

An automated control system or an automation control system is a system in which processes are automated. It involves technology that either entirely or partially removes human oversight and direction, enabling basic functions, processes and oversight to be performed independently - that is, automatically.

There are many industries in which automation control systems can be implemented and they carry a wide range of benefits for the organizations that implement them.

Examples of Automation Systems in Specific Industries

This is not a complete listing of industries in which automation control systems can be implemented, but rather some of the more common ones in which they are used.

• Manufacturing: Industrial automation systems are often implemented in manufacturing in order to control material handling, machinery operation, and production processes. Automation can even extend to quality control, boosting productivity and ensuring an efficient allocation of human resources.

• Transportation: Automated controls in transportation typically consist of scheduling and planning. However, automation control systems can even extend far enough to encompass self-guided vehicles, auto-pilot in airplanes, and more.

• Communication: Automated control systems can significantly boost the efficiency and operability of communication systems by sorting mail, automatically directing the flow of data, and even through automated phone switching. These things can optimize data transfer speeds and help eliminate communication blackouts and interruptions.

• Examples of domestic automation control systems: Automatic control systems can even be used in domestic, residential settings, such as in appliances, home entertainment, lighting, and HVAC systems.

Types of Automation Tools

Automation control systems may use a wide range of different tools to control their components and allow for communication, instruction and self-improvement. Some of these are below, although there are many others.

• RPA (Robotic Process Automation): RPA uses software robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in order to observe and then replicate a task. This type of automation lowers barriers to automation entry by streamlining the initial process for automation.

• HMI (Human Machine Interface): HMI is a type of automation in which a human operator still has a certain measure of direct control over the machinery performing the processes at hand.

• ANN (Artificial Neural Network): Artificial Neural Networks are complex artificial systems for storing and processing large amounts of data efficiently and effectively. These networks can analyze and learn from very complex non-linear models, making it much easier to detect relationships between dependent and independent variables while managing a large volume of data.

• PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): A PLC is a complex, robust industrial computer that manages automated machinery processes. These systems can be used to execute complex processes with a high degree of reliability and many can self-diagnose issues in production.

Types of Industrial Control Systems

Regardless of the type of software or hardware included in the automation control system, there are three main types of automation systems, as detailed below.

• Fixed automation: Fixed automation refers to a type of automation in which the hardware configuration is fixed, limiting the flexibility of the production processes. Machines that are programmed to do one task over and over again may be considered fixed, as they are automated but limited either by programming or by the physical actions they can perform. This type of automation can be valuable in settings requiring the output of a high volume of identical parts or products, such as on a production line

• Programmable automation: This style of automation allows for adjustments to be made to machine programming so that the same hardware can be used to execute different functions. It is useful wherein products must be made in batches, or in settings in which seasonality or supply impacts the goal of production.

• Flexible automation: Flexible automation is one style of programmable automation in which the equipment can be reprogrammed as needed to execute a wide range of processes, also as needed.

How Businesses Can Benefit from Automation Control Systems

Unsurprisingly, there is a wide range of benefits that automation control systems can have for many different industries. Almost without respect to the specifics of a given industry, these types of automation can offer any combination of the following advantages.

• Higher overall productivity: Automated systems can work more quickly and more accurately than human workers, improving overall efficiency and productivity, making finished products available much more rapidly.

• Can drive down the cost of finished goods, improving the overall quality of life for those that use them: It is also more economical to produce goods with automated equipment, driving down the cost of production as well. This can make goods produced in automated facilities more affordable to a larger market of buyers.

• Improve consistency and quality of finished goods: Since automated systems can perform the same exact task over and over again, they can potentially improve quality controls among finished goods.

• More efficient use of human resources, enabling higher wages: Automation enables human capital to be reallocated to higher-priority tasks, cutting back on wasted potential. In certain circumstances, it can also enable employers to offer more competitive wages.

• Helping to eliminate human error: Human error is responsible for all sorts of issues during production, ranging from protocol infractions that endanger worker safety to oversights that adversely impact quality. Consistency is one of the main advantages of automation, helping to eliminate these errors.

• Can potentially improve safety: By removing human workers from certain potentially hazardous conditions and using automatic processes or robotic equipment to fill those roles instead, workplace safety can be dramatically improved.

• Improved resource planning: Automated processes can make it more practical to run tighter overall operations, enabling resource planning and production forecasting to be conducted with much greater accuracy.

• Improve scalability and versatility of systems and operations: In situations in which the automation controls can be programmed as needed, automation can allow for more versatile use of equipment and resources, enabling operations to be scaled as a business or facility grows.

High-Quality System Components

Products for Automation carries electrical connectors, electrical enclosures, system cooling fans and thermal management equipment, a wide range of lighting fixtures and products, sensors, buttons and switches, and much more. If you have any questions about the technical specifications of our products for automation control systems, please contact us directly at 800-966-2345. We are here to help.