MANUFACTURING CONTROL AND

AUTOMATION CNC TECHNOLOGY

Module 5
 AUTOMATION

• Automation can be defined as the technology

by which a process or procedure is
accomplished without human assistance.
 Reasons for Automating
• To increase labor productivity.
• To reduce labor cost.
• To mitigate the effects of labor shortages.
• To improve worker safety.
• To improve product quality.
• To reduce manufacturing lead time.
• To accomplish process that cannot be done
manually.
• To avoid the high cost of not automating.
 Automated manufacturing systems
• Automated machine tools that process parts.
• Transfer lines that perform a series of machining
operations.
• Automated assembly systems.
• Manufacturing system that use industrial robots to
perform processing or assembly operations.
• Automatic material handling and storage systems to
integrate manufacturing operations.
• Automatic inspection system for quality control.
 TYPES OF AUTOMATION

• FIXED AUTOMATION
• PROGRAMMABLE AUTOMATION
• FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION
 PROGRAMMABLE AUTOMATION
• Features of programmable automation

• High investment in general purpose equipment.

• Lower production rates than fixed automation.
• Flexibility to deal with variations and changes in
product configuration.
• High suitability for batch production.
 FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION
• Features of flexible automation

• High investment cost for a custom – engineered

system.
• Continuous production of variable mixtures of
products.
• Medium production rates.
• Flexibility to deal with product design variations.
 Three types of automation relative to
production quantity and product variety
 Automation Strategies
• Specialization of operations – special equipment
• Combined operations – reducing machine
• Simultaneous operations - two or more assembly
• Integration of operation – automated work handling
• Increased flexibility – same eqp for variety of products
• Improved material handling and storage – reduce MLT
• On-line inspection- improve quality
• Process control and optimization- reduce individual
process time
• Plant operations control – control entire plant
• CIM- use of computer
 Introduction
• High volume production system is
appropriate only under the following
conditions.

• High demand.
• Stable product design.
• Long product life.
• Multiple operations performed.
 Introduction
• An automated flow line consists of several machines or
workstations which are linked together by work handling
devices that transfer parts between the stations.
Automated flow lines provide following benefits if
above applications are satisfied.
• Low amount of direct labor.
• Low product cost.
• High production rate.
• Minimal work-in-process & production lead time.
• Minimal use of factory floor space.
Automated Flow Line
 Automated flow line
configurations

• In – line
• Segmented in – line
• Rotary
 Automated flow line
configurations
• In – line

This configuration is common for machining big workpieces, such

as automotive Engine blocks, engine heads, and transmission
cases. Because these parts require a large number of operations.
 Automated flow line
configurations
• Segmented in – line

• L – shaped
• U – shaped
• Rectangular shaped
Automated flow line
configurations

Segmented in - line
 Automated flow line
configurations
• Rotary
 Workpart TRANSPORT

• The workpart transport system moves

parts between stations on the production
line.
• Three major categories of work transport
systems in production lines.
• Continuous transport
• Synchronous or intermittent transport
system
• Asynchronous transport system
 WORKPART TRANSPORT

• Continuous transport system

• Synchronous transport system
• Asynchronous transport system