What is Process Automation?

00:06:19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEhuxYXPTOE

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the concept of automation, emphasizing how processes are becoming increasingly automated in both everyday and industrial applications. Automation involves using automatic equipment like PLCs, sensors, robots, and motors to reduce human intervention, save time and money, and eliminate human error. The video provides a car wash as an example, where the wash cycle is controlled by sensors and PLCs. It also highlights the creation of high-paying jobs in the fields of maintenance, engineering, and programming. Furthermore, the video explains the function of a PLC in automated processes, sequential starting in automation, and the use of industrial robots for tasks like pallet loading. For further learning, it directs viewers to realpars.com for training materials on PLC programming and automation engineering.

Takeaways

  • 💡 Automation uses technology to perform tasks with minimal human input.
  • 🤖 Industrial processes use PLCs, sensors, and robots to achieve automation.
  • 🚗 A car wash is a simple example of an automated system.
  • 🛠️ Automation creates jobs in maintenance and engineering.
  • 🔄 Sequential starting ensures processes begin in the correct order.
  • 📉 Automation reduces time, costs, and human error.
  • 📊 The PLC is crucial in executing automated tasks.
  • 🔌 Outputs like motors and heaters are controlled in automated systems.
  • 👨‍💼 Automation offers high-paying roles in tech and engineering.
  • 📚 realpars.com offers PLC programming training.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:06:19

    Automation refers to the use of largely automatic equipment in manufacturing or other processes, utilizing tools like PLCs and robots to save time, money, and reduce human error. It offers high-paying career opportunities. A basic example is an automatic car wash, where sensors and controllers manage the entire process with minimal human input. Industrial automation functions similarly, with inputs from sensors or buttons triggering actions programmed in PLCs to execute tasks, often in a sequential manner. This process continues until a stop signal is received. Automation efficiency is showcased in applications such as industrial robots replacing humans in tasks like pallet loading. Additional training resources are available at realpars.com for those interested in PLC programming and automation careers.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is automation?

    Automation is the use of largely automatic equipment in a production process to perform tasks with minimal human intervention.

  • Why is automation beneficial?

    Automation saves time and money, reduces human error, and creates high-paying careers in maintenance, engineering, and programming.

  • Can everyday processes be automated?

    Yes, processes such as a car wash can be automated to save time, water, and chemicals.

  • How does an automated industrial process work?

    It begins with input from sensors or switches to a PLC, which then triggers outputs like motors or heaters based on programming.

  • What is PLC in automation?

    A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is a computerized controller used in automated processes to control input and manage outputs.

  • What are some components used in automation?

    Components include PLCs, sensors, robots, motors, solenoids, and heaters.

  • How are industrial robots used in automation?

    They are often used to replace humans in repetitive tasks like pallet loading.

  • What is sequential starting in automation?

    It's when one output device starts before the next is allowed to run, controlled by a PLC.

  • What roles are created by automation?

    Roles in maintenance, control engineering, and programming.

  • Where can I learn more about PLC programming?

    You can visit realpars.com, where they offer training materials and videos on PLC programming and automation engineering.

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  • 00:00:03
    We hear about new things and processes becoming automated almost every day.
  • 00:00:08
    But what does that actually mean?
  • 00:00:21
    If you enjoy these videos, be sure to click like and subscribe so you never miss a new one.
  • 00:00:30
    What exactly does automation mean?
  • 00:00:33
    Automation is the use of largely automatic equipment in a system of manufacturing or other production process.
  • 00:00:42
    This typically includes the use of PLCs, sensors, robots,
  • 00:00:47
    and motors among many other things depending on the automated process.
  • 00:00:54
    Almost any process can become automated.
  • 00:00:57
    It can save time and money to automate an industrial process.
  • 00:01:02
    It also helps eliminate human error.
  • 00:01:06
    Another upside is that the use of automation creates many high paying careers
  • 00:01:11
    for maintenance workers, engineers, and programmers.
  • 00:01:16
    A simple, everyday example of automation would be an ordinary pull in
  • 00:01:21
    and park automatic car wash.
  • 00:01:25
    If we break it down step by step,
  • 00:01:28
    it should help you understand how automation works.
  • 00:01:34
    Once you select your wash, that input will run a certain program on the controller.
  • 00:01:41
    Next, you drive forward until a sensor is flagged,
  • 00:01:45
    starting the wash cycle and another sensor tells the driver when to stop.
  • 00:01:52
    From there, the wash will continue through the cycle that the controller is running.
  • 00:01:58
    In a typical car wash, the nozzle spraying the water and chemicals
  • 00:02:02
    will travel alongside a vehicle and a sensor will detect when it is past the vehicle.
  • 00:02:10
    This saves time, water, and chemicals by controlling when the nozzles spray,
  • 00:02:16
    as well as serves as an input to advance to the next step of the wash.
  • 00:02:22
    Once the car is sprayed, the program tells the wash to spray the next chemical.
  • 00:02:27
    This is done by the controller turning on and off each pump as it is needed.
  • 00:02:34
    The controller then runs through the rest of the cycle and wash
  • 00:02:37
    that was selected in the beginning.
  • 00:02:45
    Once all steps have been completed,
  • 00:02:47
    the driver will be signaled to pull out of the wash.
  • 00:02:52
    Essentially, the only human intervention in the process is the driver selecting what wash they want.
  • 00:03:01
    Industrial automation works exactly the same way.
  • 00:03:05
    Each industrial process needs to be started by some sort of input.
  • 00:03:10
    That input can be a sensor, pushbutton, switch, among many other possibilities.
  • 00:03:17
    Typically a person will start the process with one of these input devices
  • 00:03:22
    or it could be a sensor that detects an object automatically.
  • 00:03:27
    Those inputs will go to a PLC to which will then make decisions based on how it was programmed.
  • 00:03:36
    The PLC will then activate whatever output the program says to run.
  • 00:03:41
    An output can be anything that does work such as a motor, solenoid, heater, or a light.
  • 00:03:49
    In an automated process, that output will typically act as an input to the PLC
  • 00:03:56
    and combined with other input devices or programming, to keep the process running.
  • 00:04:03
    With this programming, it can act like a chain reaction
  • 00:04:07
    with one output device starting before the next is allowed to run.
  • 00:04:12
    This is also called sequential starting.
  • 00:04:17
    Automation has to have many aspects working together in order to function properly.
  • 00:04:23
    An automated process will continue its cycle until it receives a stop signal.
  • 00:04:29
    That can come from a physical input such as a stop button or sensor,
  • 00:04:34
    or something programmed like a timer.
  • 00:04:39
    Let's look back at what we now know.
  • 00:04:42
    Automation is an automatic process, typically controlled by computers and sensors.
  • 00:04:50
    There is usually very little human intervention.
  • 00:04:54
    Input devices, such as sensors and switches,
  • 00:04:57
    will work with a controller or PLC to activate output devices like motors or other machinery.
  • 00:05:07
    The PLC will advance as it was programmed.
  • 00:05:12
    Industrial robots are great examples of process automation
  • 00:05:16
    as they are commonly being used to replace humans in pallet loading operations.
  • 00:05:27
    make sure that you head over to realpars.com
  • 00:05:30
    to find even more training material for all of your PLC Programming needs.
  • 00:05:35
    We offer many videos to assist you in learning PLC programming
  • 00:05:39
    and landing that job in the high paying,
  • 00:05:42
    highly sought after field of Automation and Controls Engineering.
  • 00:05:47
    Go to realpars.com and subscribe to our highly effective training series now.
Tags
  • automation
  • industrial automation
  • PLC
  • sensors
  • robots
  • car wash
  • programming
  • engineering
  • human intervention
  • process automation