1. MAN VERSUS
MACHINE:
AUTOMATION &
PRODUCTIVITY
Automation is not cheap. Costs include capital outlays for equipment
and software, expenses for training employees to operate and
maintain the equipment, and the costs of shifting manual workers into
other, less labor-intensive positions. But at some point — a point in
time that differs by industry and type of automation — productivity
increases, the benefits of automation exceed its costs, and the
company is on the path to positive ROI and future growth.
THE ROI OF AUTOMATION
EFFORT
T I M E
WHEN AUTOMATION ROI TAKES EFFECT
When Automation
Begins to Pay Off
A U T O M A T I O N M A N U A L W O R K
TOOLS FOR AUTOMATION
EFFECTS ON PRODUCTIVITY
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Programmable Logic
Controller (PLC)
This specialized controller is
used to control machines and
industrial processes, such
as light fixtures and factory
assembly lines.
Sensors
An automaton sensor is a
transducer that can detect and
measure changes in position,
size, temperature, humidity,
pressure and motion.
Actuators
These devices are used
to convert energy into
mechanical motion, or
movement. Actuators move
tools or machine components
to their required positions.
SCADA
Supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA) is a system
that monitors and controls
industrial processes at remote
locations by gathering data
and sending commands.
Human-Machine
Interface (HMI)
An HMI is a user interface, such
as a dashboard or control panel,
that connects a person to a
machine or system to monitor
and control its performance.
Drives
Drives electronically control
the power supplied to the
motor that moves something
and they control the motor
speed. The drive is matched
to the motor type.
Production and quality improvements provide
an edge in a competitive market.
Increased job speed means more work,
shorter delivery times and optimized
operations that lead to growth.
Automation reduces production bottlenecks
that can stop or slow the process.
Employees who now do less manual
labor can be used more effectively.
Administrators can “outsource” repetitive
tasks to automation.
Safety is improved when automated
systems tackle the most risky jobs.
Workers learn new skills, such as caring
for and maintaining automated equipment.
53% of employees state that they can save up to 2 work
hours a day (240 hours per year) through automation,
and 78% of business leaders posit that automation can
free up to 3 work hours a day (360 hours per year). That
translates into quite a bit in cost savings.
Forbes.com: August 3, 2017: How Automation Could Save Your Business $4 Million Annually