Industrial/Factory Automation

Industrial and Factory Automation refers to the automation and minimization of manual and personnel-related oversight over industrial process, production processes, and manufacturing. Automation is a step above mechanization, and represents the merger of information technology (IT) with machinery. Industrial and Factory Automation can refer to the aggregation of products, equipment, components, systems and OEM and contractor services required to automate an industrial facility, production system, production line, or process infrastructure.

Various subsets of automation include robotics, control systems, IT systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES) all chiefly responsible for reducing human requirements in any process, lowering labor and production costs, and increasing throughput or production output. Other common industry terms for the capabilities, components and aspects of automation include human machine interface (HMI) (allowing for system operator and human supervision), distributed control systems (DSC), SCADA, conveyor belts, conveyance systems and programmable logic controllers (PLC). Robotics, particularly robotic arms, are common features in factory automation due to their precision, reduction in human labor costs, advantages in handling, and reduction of human risks and exposure to production hazards.

Industrial and Factory Automation affects employment, but is capable of increasing the income of an enterprise or entire national economy, as demonstrated in manufacturing hubs like Germany and Japan. Emerging markets for industrial and factory automation include high growth industries in Brazil, China, India and other developing Asian countries.