Training in Industrial Automation
Published on : Monday 30-11--0001
Increased use of automation also means requirement of engineers with adequate training in all aspects of Industrial Automation.
Industrial Automation is the automatic control of manufacturing of a product through successive stages. It is the technology concerned with Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer-based systems, etc., using various control devices like PCs/PLCs/DCS, used to have control on various operations of an industry without significant intervention from humans and to provide automatic control performance.
Why industrial automation is required?
Industrial Automation processes use control systems like computers or robots to monitor and handle processes and machines. Automation in the industrial workplace provides advantages of improving productivity and quality, while reducing errors and waste, increasing safety, and adding flexibility to the manufacturing process. In the end, industrial automation yields increased safety, reliability, and profitability.
Benefits of automation
- Reduced operator fatigue and effort
- Prevent products or materials from being damaged or destroyed
- Prevent non-conforming product from despatch to customer
- Increased efficiency
- Collect better and reliable data
- Improved metrics
- Devise the right process improvements, and
- Saving money.
In essence, advantages commonly attributed to automation include higher production rates and increased productivity, more efficient use of materials, better product quality, improved safety, shorter workweeks for labour, and reduced factory lead times. Higher output and increased productivity have been two of the biggest reasons in justifying the use of automation in industry.
Trends in Automation
Implementing automation by adding industrial robots is becoming increasingly common on factory floors around the world and is yet another milestone in the current industry evolution. An industrial robot is defined as a semi- or fully-autonomous robot for automation of commercial tasks to enhanced productivity without operator intervention. Another revolution in the industrial robots space is the collaborative robot. A collaborative robot or cobot, is a type of robot intended to physically interact with humans in a shared workspace, working safely together, side by side on the production floor. For many companies, collaborative robotics is now a strategy.
With digitalisation and IoT (Internet of Things), automation become a competitive advantage in today’s industrial landscape. When integrated end-to-end, automated production is reliable, efficient, transparent and predictable. The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is going be the trend in future. The technologies being adopted include artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, 3D printing, industrial internet of things (IIoT), digitisation, big data analytics and cloud computing.
Requirement of skilled manpower in industrial automation
Industries need skilled manpower for automation, where people should have decision making skills, understanding the concepts, analytical skills and troubleshooting the multidisciplinary problems.
Efficiency of a machine or processes in any industry increases exponentially through automation. Essentially an automation system engineer should develop the complete skill-set with which he/she can address different user requirements. The key to successful deployment of automation lies in the ability to deal with the interplay of several parts, such as sensors, PLCs, DCS, control panels, HMI, robotics, DCS, SCADA, motors, pneumatics, hydraulics, MCCs, motion control, data collection, vision, besides other technical skills related to programming, planning, documentation, erection and commissioning.
It is quite clear that the need for automation will always increase. There isn’t an ongoing trend of adding more physical labour to manufacturing processes, regardless of industry vertical, but there is a trend of adding more automation.
About IMTMA Training Programme
Industrial Automation has become an integral part of all modern manufacturing processes and is constantly upgraded keeping up with latest technological developments to ensure increased productivity with improved product quality. Increased use of automation also means requirement of engineers with adequate training in all aspects of Industrial Automation.
The Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) is organising an intensive certificate course of 4 weeks duration (200 hours), viz., Foundation Course in Industrial Automation, which helps engineers to familiarise in interdisciplinary engineering subjects like mechanical, electrical, electronics and computerised systems. The engineers will get trained with hands on approach in all the elements of industrial automation, covering Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Sensors, PLCs, Servo, VFD and Robotics and how these elements are getting integrated in order to perform the intended function.
Topics covered in Foundation Course in Industrial Automation
- Basics of electrical and electronic circuits
- Selection and application of various Hydraulic and Pneumatic components
- Sensors – types and applications; Integration with other elements
- Basics of PLC Hardware/Software and PLC Programming
- Hands-on practice in Design and Implementing Hydraulic and Pneumatic circuits with PLC Control & Sensors
- Servo Motors and Servo Drives – Applications for Motion Control
- Hands – on practice in using Industrial Motors, Motor Controls, Variable Frequency Drives
- Introduction to Programming and Operation of Robots
- Introduction to Industry 4.0 with multiple Festo Modular Production System Units.
Key Takeaways
After the course, the engineer will be able to:
- Design and execute automation projects involving hydraulics, pneumatics, sensors controlled through PLC.
- Learn PLC Hardware, PLC Programming and Interfacing Industrial Automation elements
- Understand about selection and usage of different automation elements, viz., Hydraulic and Pneumatic, PLCs, Sensors, Servo and VFD for Industrial applications, and
- Have an overview of Industry 4.0 implementation in manufacturing.
(For more information, visit: https://www.imtmatraining.in/pages/22/industrial-automation)