Automation Flashcards
What is automation?
- Automation is the execution by a machine agent, of a function previously carried out by a human. (1997)
- Automation is the technology by which a process or procedure is accomplished without human assistance. (2001)
- Automation is a way for humans to extend the capability of their tools and machines. (2009)
- Different definitions depending of time in history.
- Human-centred approach:
Automation designed to work cooperatively with human operators in pursuit of stated objectives.
Emphasizes that automation functionality should be designed to support human performance and human understanding of the system
Describe the historical perspective of automation in production/manufacturing (think picture)
Why automate?
- To ensure a more precise execution of a task.
- Increase the stability of the output by removing humans from repetitive and monotonous tasks.
- Breach capacity limits of control tasks and thereby increase speed, efficiency and security.
- Increase capacity.
- Increase productivity
- Reduce personnel needs.
- Decrease monotonous and repetitive tasks for humans.
- Introduce a more even and increased product quality.
What does automation lead to? Benefits with automation?
- Less material use
- Less energy needed
- The machines are more reliable to create more precise products and quality –> less waste
- Higher productivity –> economic growth
How does the level of automation change as a product progresses through the product flow?
The further the product is in the product flow, the more complex the tasks become –> leading to a lower level of automation.
What is cognitive automation, and what are some key characteristics and examples of it?
Cognitive automation is a type of automation that integrates information and control to manage less common tasks or scenarios. It often relies on instructions and systems such as pick-by-light to guide processes and decisions.
What is physical automation, and what are its primary characteristics and examples?
Physical automation refers to mechanical automation methods that are more commonly utilized in various industries. This form of automation primarily employs tools, robots, and other mechanical devices to perform tasks.
What is human-centered automation?
- User-Centered Design: Designing with understanding of the user’s tasks and goals.
- Complementing Human Skills: Automation augments human strengths and compensates for weaknesses.
- Transparency: Users should understand the system’s actions and reasons.
- Flexibility: Allows users to adjust automation levels based on situations.
- Training: Ensures users understand the system’s capabilities and limits. The goal is harmonious human-machine collaboration.
The idea behind human-centered automation is to strike a balance where humans and machines work in harmony, leveraging the strengths of each entity to achieve better outcomes than either could achieve alone.
What are the key points to consider regarding levels of automation?
- There are 7x7 levels of automation, resulting in 49 possible solutions.
- For suggesting solutions, analyze:
- Current state of flows
- LoA level
- Information system
- Competence levels
- Perceived complexity - Successful implementation heavily depends on humans and the organization.
What is the taxonomy for the levels of automation, and how are they classified?
Physical Automation progresses from totally manual tasks using only human muscle power to completely automatic systems. Levels include using static and flexible tools, static and adaptable machines, and total automation. Cognitive Automation focuses on how technology assists or replaces human decision-making, ranging from relying solely on personal experience to fully automated decision-making and control. This includes decision guidance, teaching, questioning deviations, supervising, intervening in actions, and complete automation.
Illustrate the levels of automation index and describe the different parts.
Physical Automation:
- Totally manual: No tools, just human effort.
- Static hand tool: Fixed tools (e.g., Screwdriver).
- Flexible hand tool: Adjustable tools (e.g., Spanner).
- Automated hand tool: Tools with automation (e.g., Hydraulic bolt driver).
- Static machine: Specific-task machines (e.g., Lathe).
- Flexible machine: Reconfigurable machines (e.g., CNC machines).
- Totally automatic: Fully autonomous systems.
Cognitive Automation:
- Totally manual: Rely on personal knowledge/experience.
- Decision giving: Technology offers guidance (e.g., Work order).
- Teaching: Technology instructs (e.g., Manuals).
- Questioning: Tech confirms deviations (e.g., Verification systems).
- Supervision: Tech alerts (e.g., Alarms).
- Intervene: Tech corrects deviations (e.g., Thermostat).
- Totally automatic: Full autonomous decision-making.”
What determines perceived complexity in final assembly?
Perceived complexity in final assembly is determined by the “CompleXity Index (CXI).” This conclusion is based on 450 surveys conducted between 2011-2015. The primary factor identified as contributing to this perceived complexity is “work variance”.
What are the primary cognitive processes?
- Perception
- Conscious or unconscious processes
- Unconscious (stimuli-based)
- Conscious (knowledge-based) - Memory
- Mental models
- Categorization
- Interest
- Expectation
What is the SRK model and how does it support different types of behavior?
The SRK model categorizes behavior into three types:
- SKILL-based behavior: Supported by direct stimuli or indicators.
- Examples: light signals, alarm signals. - RULE-based behavior: Guided by predetermined guidelines or protocols.
- Examples: signs, already saved rules. - KNOWLEDGE-based behavior: Based on reasoning, understanding, and associations.
- Examples: combination of associations.
How should cognitive support be designed?
To design effective cognitive support, one should:
- Support active cognitive processes.
- Reinforce and align with mental models.
- Support both capabilities and limitations.
- Account for individual differences and preferences.
- Strategically consider the placement of the instructions.
What is the differences between cobots and industrial robots?
What are the different levels of collaboration between human operators and robots/cobots? And which are most commonly used today?
- Cell type: not a genuin cooperation scenario since the robot is operated in a traditional cage.
- Coexistence: Human operator and cage-free robot work alongside each other, but do not share a workspace.
- Synchronized: The design of the workflow means that the human worker and the robot share the same workspace but that only one of the interaction partners is actually present in the workspace at one time.
- Cooperation: Both interaction partners may have tasks to perform at the same time in the (shared) workspace, but they do not work simultaneously on the same product or component.
- Collaboration: Human worker and robot work simultaneously on the same product or component.
Today: Coexistence & Synchronized.
Why is there a need for collaborative robot applications today?
Highlight the features and benefits of collaborative robot applications for final assembly?
This image highlights the features and benefits of collaborative robot applications specifically for final assembly:
- Work together with operator:Collaborative robots are designed to operate in tandem with human operators, ensuring a harmonious workflow.
- Portable – Switch workstations: These robots are portable, allowing for flexibility as they can be moved from one workstation to another.
- Comparatively easy to setup: The design and operation of collaborative robots prioritize user-friendliness, making them relatively easy to set up compared to traditional robots.
- Taking over unergonomic work: One of the major benefits is their ability to handle tasks that might be ergonomically challenging for human workers, reducing the risk of workplace injuries.
What is the role of a gripper in cobot applications? And what types of grippers are there?
The role of the gripper is:
- Safety for operator
- Quality
- Productivity
Gripper types:
- 2 finger
- 3 finger
- Vacuum
- Electric
Describe the hierarchy between data, information, and knowledge, and differentiate between explicit and tacit knowledge.
- Data: Uninterpreted numbers or facts about events.
- Information: Structured data given meaning and relevancy.
- Knowledge: Information combined with experiences, values, and insights.
- Explicit Knowledge: Concrete, easily shared, precise, and documentable.
- Tacit Knowledge: Abstract, based on intuition and experience, and often difficult to share or document.
Outline the process of information sharing in production systems, detailing the flow from product development to final quality control, and list some the abbreviations used in the diagrams.
- Product Development: Where the product is ideated and initial plans are formed.
- Product Design: Refinement of the idea, including prototyping.
- Manufacturing Preparations: Readying the production line, including the use of the Engineering Bill of Material (EBOM).
- Manufacturing: Actual creation of the product, utilizing the Manufacturing Bill of Material (MBOM).
- Assembly Preparations: Setting up for assembling the product components.
- Assembling: Piecing together the product components, leading to the Assembly Bill of Material (ABOM).
- Final Quality Control: Ensuring the product meets set standards.
EBOM: Engineering Bill of Material
DFAA: Design For Automated Assembly
MBOM: Manufacturing Bill of Material
MOM: Manufacturing Operations Management
ABOM: Assembly Bill of Material
PDM: Product Data Management
PLM: Product Lifecycle Management
CAD: Computer Aided Design
CAM: Computer Aided Manufacturing
ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning
MRP: Manufacturing Resource Planning
MES: Manufacturing Execution System
SOP: Standard Operation Sheets
JES: Job Element Sheets
OIS: Operator Instruction Sheet
Elaborate on the challenges for future information systems.
- Technological solutions/the use of it:
- Platforms or systems for storing and sharing information.
- Collect information from technologies associated with industry 4.0 and presenting it for people at work.
- Augumented reality
- Right information to the right person at the right time.
-Needs to implement properly - Challenges and issues within Industry 4.0:
- Standards and interfaces
- Data security
- Data mining, big data, cloud computing.
- Identification of relevant data and its visualization
- Individual data visualization - Organizational aspects of I4:
- Qualification, employment, leadership
- Structural use of existing technology
- Understand, reconciliate, and accommodate
individual needs and expectations. - Learning and training:
- On-the-job training in final assembly
- Learning factories to validate information systems
- Sensors that can provide shorter feedback loops.
- Try out new solutions if they can solve problems
