Automation or automatic control is the use of various control systems for operating equipment such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers and heat treating ovens, switching on telephone networks, steering and stabilization of ships, aircraft and other applications and vehicles with minimal or reduced human intervention. Some processes have been completely automated.
Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic devices and computers, usually in combination. Complicated systems, such as modern factories, airplanes and ships typically use all these combined techniques. Most automation systems have motors to provide desired motion. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are used to provide smooth control of speed of operations that are automated. Additionally Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and other microprocessor based systems are used to provide sequencing and timing control of processes and applications. In Complex systems, multiple controllers communicate with each other.
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a control system architecture that uses computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces for high-level process supervisory management, but uses other peripheral devices such as PLCs and discrete PID controllers to interface to the process plant or machinery. The operator interfaces which enable monitoring and the issuing of process commands, such as controller set point changes, are handled through the SCADA supervisory computer system. However, the real-time control logic or controller calculations are performed by networked modules which connect to the field sensors and actuators and also to central controller
The biggest benefit of automation is that it saves labor; however, it is also used to save energy and materials and to improve quality, accuracy and precision of the products produced.
The Control Panel houses all the elements that provide complete control of the process that leads to high precision product with minimum manual intervention.