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Chapter 34
Automation in
Manufacturing
automation.
Replacement of
human control for a
machine, process, or
system, with control
by mechanical or
electronic devices.
Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
✓ Give a brief history of automation.
✓ Name a device that has revolutionized factory automation.
✓ List five reasons for employing automation.
✓ Name at least three components of CIM.
✓ Explain what CAD and CAM are.
Throughout the history of manufacturing, people have sought more effi-
cient ways to make products. These efforts can be divided into two tasks:
✲ Designing products for efficient manufacture
✲ Making products more efficiently
Although divided, these tasks are not independent. Often the work of one
directly impacts the other. For example, Eli Whitney’s work in producing mus-
kets with interchangeable parts required design changes. Musket parts were
designed so that all like parts were exactly alike so they could be easily manu-
factured. The parts were made so that any like part would fit any musket. This
enabled the muskets to be assembled more efficiently. Thus, the first task
impacted the second.
This interdependence must be addressed if a company is to compete in the
world market. See Figure 34-1. Key to this focus is automatic or automated
manufacture, which is often called automation. Automation is the application
of control to an apparatus, a process, or a system by means of mechanical or
electronic devices. Automation uses computer and automatic controls to replace
direct human control.
Development of Automated
Manufacturing
It is difficult to trace automated manufacture to any specific event or inven-
tion. Ideas for automatic manufacturing machines have many roots.
Early efforts to accomplish automation used strictly mechanical controls.