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Automation

Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the

production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyondmechanization. 

Whereas mechanization provided human operators with machinery to assist them with the muscular requirements of

work, automation greatly decreases the need for human sensory and mental requirements as well. Automation plays

an increasingly important role in the world economy and in daily experience.

Automation has had a notable impact in a wide range of industries beyond manufacturing (where it began). Once-

ubiquitous telephone operators have been replaced largely by automated telephone switchboards and answering

machines. Medical processes such as primary screening in electrocardiography or radiographyand laboratory

analysis of human genes, sera, cells, and tissues are carried out at much greater speed and accuracy by automated

systems. Automated teller machines have reduced the need for bank visits to obtain cash and carry out transactions.

In general, automation has been responsible for the shift in the world economy from industrial jobs to service jobs in

the 20th and 21st centuries

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of automation are:

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  Replacing human operators in tasks that involve hard physical or monotonous work.[2]

 

  Replacing humans in tasks done in dangerous environments (i.e. fire, space, volcanoes, nuclear facilities,

underwater, etc.)

  Performing tasks that are beyond human capabilities of size, weight, speed, endurance, etc.

  Economy improvement. Automation may improve in economy of enterprises, society or most of humanity. For

example, when an enterprise invests in automation, technology recovers its investment; or when a state or

country increases its income due to automation like Germanyor Japan in the 20th Century.

The main disadvantages of automation are:

  Technology limits. Current technology is unable to automate all the desired tasks.

  Unpredictable development costs. The research and development cost of automating a process may exceed the

cost saved by the automation itself.

  High initial cost. The automation of a new product or plant requires a huge initial investment in comparison with

the unit cost of the product, although the cost of automation is spread in many product batches

What is Industrial Automation

Industrial automation is the use of robotic devices to complete manufacturing tasks. In this day and age of computers,

industrial automation is becoming increasingly important in the manufacturing process because computerized or robotic

machines are capable of handling repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently. Machines used in industrial automation are also capable

of completing mundane tasks that are not desirable to workers. In addition, the company can save money because it does not need

to pay for expensive benefits for this specialized machinery. There are both pros and cons for a company when it comes to

industrial automation.

On the plus side, with soaring healthcare costs, paid days off, vacation time, and other costly employee benefits, companies can save money with industrial automation. While robotic machinery can initially be extremely expensive,the loss of monthly wages for production workers leads to incredible savings for the company. While machinery usedfor industrial automationcan break down, it does not happen often. If it does, only a handful of maintenanceor computer engineers are needed to handle repairs and get lines running smoothly again.

In addition, many plants hire dozens of production workers for a variety of shifts and need to close on certain days.Industrialautomation, however, allows a company to run the plant twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, withoutpaying overtime. This fact alone can add up to significant savings.

A company that employs forty-eight factory workers on three different shifts and closes on weekends, for example,can save thousands of dollars with industrial automation. This is particularly true if weekend work is necessary, whichmeans overtime pay of time and a half must be paid for Saturday work and double-time for Sunday. This equates toan additional twelve hours of pay per employee. Of course, life insurance, 401K benefits, dental insurance, healthinsurance, pension coverage, and disability also contribute to the expense.

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Industrial automation can eliminate the need for all forty-eight jobs. The robotic machinery used forindustrial automation may only involve a monthly payment until the machinery is paid for, a couple technicians tokeep the robotic machinery running, and electricity costs. Unfortunately for workers, industrial automation caneliminate thousands of jobs. As the workforce decreases and the cost of living increases, many families struggle tomake ends meet as their jobs are replaced by high-tech machines 

What Are Pros and Cons? 

Pros and cons are arguments for or against a particular issue. Pros are arguments which aim to promote the issue,

while cons suggest points against it. The term has been in use since the 16th century and is a shortening of a Latin

phrase, pro et contra , which means “for and against.” Considering the pros and cons of an issue is a very useful way

to weigh the issue thoughtfully and reach an informed decision.

Many people find themselves considering pros and cons in daily life, although they may not be aware of it. Forexample, someone shopping at a supermarket might weigh the cost of an item and the quality to decide whether ornot to purchase it. People making larger decisions, like purchasing a new car or home, often spend a great deal ofDefinition of Automation: the act of implementing the control of equipment with advanced technology; usually

involving electronic hardwareautomation replaces human workers by machines  

 Automation 

Automation on wiseGEEK:

  Technicians work behind glass barriers which keep products safe from human contact, but allow for qualityassurance processes. Large-scale manufacturing companies use larger automated assembly processesincluding the use of heavy robotic equipment to put together large products, such as automobiles.

  The processes within the billing system then apply the proper rates for each order and create an invoice.Depending on how the automated billing system is configured, the invoice may be printed out, along with acompanion envelope, immediately after the invoice generation.

time thinking about the pros and cons of the purchase so that they can be sure that the right choice will be made.  Automation is the use of machines to do the things people would otherwise have to do. The reason for

automation is that machines can work far more quickly economically and consistently then people do.

Especially these days when the amount of gadgets people use would just not get built if it was not for

machines doing them.