Production system: manufacturing support systems and facilities

To increase labor productivity

• To increase labor productivity
• To reduce labor cost
• To improve worker safety
• To improve product quality
• To mitigate the effects of labor shortages
• To reduce/eliminate routine manual & clerical tasks.
• To reduce mfg lead time
• To accomplish processes that cannot be done manually
• To avoid the high cost of not automating

Specialization of operation

• Specialization of operation
• Combined operations
• Simultaneous operations
• Integration operations
• Increased flexibility
• On-line inspection
• Improved material handling and storage
• Process control and optimization
• Plant operations control
• Computer-integrated manufacturing

Usually implies a sequence of mechanical steps.

• Usually implies a sequence of mechanical steps.
• A camshaft is an automation controller because it mechanically sequences the steps in the operation of an internal combustion engine.
• Manufacturing processes are often sequenced by special digital computers, known as programmable logic controller (PLC).
• PLC can detect and can switch electrical signals on and off.