9 Reasons for Automation of Manufacturing Processes

Manufacturing automation

Automated manufacturing systems operate in the factory on the physical product. They perform operations such as processing, assembly, inspection, or material handling, in some cases accomplishing more than one of these operations in the same system.

They are called automated because they perform their operations with a reduced level of human participation compared with the corresponding manual process. In some highly automated systems, there is virtually no human participation.

Companies undertake projects in manufacturing automation and computer-integrated manufacturing for a variety of good reasons. Some of the reasons used to justify automation are listed below. Of course, there are many other reasons, so feel free to add your reasons below in the comment box.
Also, I’ve put few interesting videos with latest news in automation of manufacturing processes at the bottom of this article. Enjoy!

1. To increase labor productivity

Automating a manufacturing operation usually increases production rate and labor productivity. This means greater output per hour of labor input.

2. To reduce labor cost

Ever-increasing labor cost has been and continues to be the trend in the world’s industrialized societies. Consequently, higher investment in automation has become economically justifiable to replace manual operations.

Machines are increasingly being substituted for human labor to reduce unit product cost. While this is not good for people, it’s good enough for production. Sad but true, isn’t it?

3. To mitigate the effects of labor shortages

There is a general shortage of labor in some countries, and this has stimulated the development of automated operations as a substitute for labor.

4. To reduce or eliminate routine manual and clerical tasks

An argument can be put forth that there is social value in automating operations that are routine, boring, fatiguing, and possibly irksome. Automating such tasks serves a purpose of improving the general level of working conditions.



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