Automated Processes and Systems

In this chapter, the concepts of automated processes and systems including the elements of system automation are explained. In process automation, digital technologies are often used to automate complex manufacturing or business processes. This includes the use of the system to perform tasks and the integration of software, information and communication technology, data acquisition, and storage sub-systems. A system may go through several processes that are time sensitive and repetitive before obtaining the final output. Process automation prevents variation and bottlenecks associated with these processes such as errors, and data loss while improving speed and communication among other sub-systems. System automation is a subset of Mecha-tronics engineering that involves the integration of a sensing system, control mechanisms, and drive system (actuators). The three basic elements of an automation system that must be synergized include: the power system, the program of instructions or codes to direct the process, and the control mechanism to actuate the instructions. This chapter also delves into the systems operations, programming and classes of automated systems. The two major classes of the control system; open and closed loop control systems otherwise known as the non-feedback and feedback control systems respectively are discussed including their designs. The Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers will continue to be important in several industrial applications because they utilize a control loop feedback mechanism to control process variables and are highly stable and accurate in achieving control tasks.