4.6 AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY Industrial robotics Industrial automation technology Industrial automation uses a combination of control systems and information technology to perform manufacturing processes and to machinery in the place of machine operators. The original purpose of the development of automation technology in industry was to increase productivity and reduce , as computerised machinery could work repetitively, faster , and for a longer period of time without any interruptions apart from those required for maintenance. Today, the focus of automation technology is on increasing flexibility and quality in manufacturing processes by drastically reducing errors and scrap. 1 handle manpower 1 In the automobile industry, for example, the manual installation of pistons in the engine had an error of 1-1.15%. The same operation performed on an automated line has caused the error rate to to 0.000001%. rate drop DO Do you remember the name of computer-controlled machinery software? 1 MORE In Honda’s Japanese engine plant, an automated engine assembly line includes a robotic station that assembles around 9,000 pistons daily, at a cycle time of six seconds per piston. 1 Advantages of robotics in industry The science that studies and creates robots is called . Robotics and manufacturing are a natural partnership , as automated manufacturing is fundamental for any operation that for efficiency, safety, and a competitive advantage in the global market. 2 robotics 3 strives Robots can guarantee efficiency at any stage of the manufacturing process, from the handling of raw materials to the packaging of the finished product. Furthermore, the use of robots in industry enables companies to focus on flexibility as a robot can be programmed to do any task, thereby eliminating operator training costs, although some operators must still be trained to work with and use some of the robots. Today, robots are in greater use than ever before, so to remain competitive, manufacturers need to adopt more and more automated processes. Fortunately, the cost of automation is for nearly every company. affordable Another reason why robotics plays a key role in industry is because it gives manufacturers the opportunity to create automated data collections of fundamental things like production information. This helps manufacturers to guarantee high data accuracy and greater safety. MORE The term "robot" comes from a Czech word, , meaning “forced labor.” A robot is a mechanical device that works automatically or by computer control. 2 robota MORE The first industrial robot was created in 1961. It worked on a General Motors assembly line in New Jersey, USA. 3