What is an Automation System

An automated system is an integration of sensors, controls, and actuators designed to perform functions with minimal or no human intervention. The subject covers an area called mechatronics, an interdisciplinary branch of engineering that combines mechanical, electrical and electronic systems.

Most automated systems are derived from manual processes such as drilling, cutting, welding, etc. These systems use robotic arms to manipulate the movement of tools that perform primitive functions. Other applications, especially in the field of process control, use automation to monitor and control process parameters. This is done by manipulating the operation of equipment such as heaters, motors, pumps and compressors or by using control valves to open or isolate process lines. Automation systems are configured differently even for one specific function. The most common applications of automated systems are:

Adopting an automated system will yield huge benefits in terms of profit, productivity, safety and quality. The higher initial cost of adapting to an automated system is often outweighed by these benefits.

An automated system consists of devices capable of receiving input (sensors, human-machine interfaces, etc.), a computing system (processor), and a robotic arm (actuator) that performs the actual work.

An arm is a component of links and joints with a fixed range of motion. They can be Cartesian, polar, cylindrical, SCARA, and articulated coordinates.

An end-of-arm tool (EOAT), also known as an end effector, is a tool or operator designed to interact with a product or process.

Actuators are components that provide force or torque to create motion. They are divided into electric, hydraulic and pneumatic.