ddp.industrial automation

AOTOMATION
Industrial Automation.
you know about industrial automation and Panel Design ?
IN manual control,an operator may periodically read the process temperature and adjust the heatingor cooling input up or down in such a direction as to drive the temperature to its desired value. In automatic control measurement & adjustments are made automatically on a continuous basic. Manual control may be used in non-critical applications where major process upsets are unlikely to occur, where any process conditions occur slowly & in small increments and where a minimum of operator attention is required.
WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION ?
Making products under the control of computers and programmable controllers is known as Industrial Automation. Manufacturing assembly lines as well as stand-alone machine tools ( CNC machines ) and robotic devices fall into this category. Industrial Automation is delegation of human control functions to technical equipment for increasing productivity, better quality, increasing safely in working conditions reducing manpower & cost.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFRENT COMPONENTS USED IN AUTOMATION ?
The components of automation sysyem include....
* Sensors for sensing the input parameters.
* Transmitters for transmitting the raw signal in electrial form.
* Control system which includes PLC, DCS & PID controllers.
* Output devices such as actuators, drives,control valves, solenoid valves, coils
indicating lamps.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFRENT CONTROL SAYSTEMS USED IN AUTOMATION ?
* PID controller based control system.
* PLC based control system.
* DCS based control system.
* PC based automation system.

INTRODUCATION TO PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER ( PLC )

A PLC is a solid / computerized industrial computer that perfoms discrete or sequential logic in a factory environment. If was originally developed to replace mechanical relays, timers, counters. PLCs are used succesfully to execute complicated control operations in a plant. Its purpose is to monitor crucial process parameters and adujust to the PLC memory and when the programme is executed, the controller operates a system to the correct operating specifications.
The first PLC system evolved from conventional cpmputers in late 60s and early 70s. These first PLCs were instslled primarilly in automotive plants. Traditionlly the auto plant had to be shut down for up to a month at model changeover time. The early PLCs were used with other new automation teachniques to shorten the changeover time. One of the major time consuming changeover procedures had been the wiring of new or revised realy & control panels. The PLC programming procedures replaced the rewiring a panel full of wires, relays, timers,counters & other components. The PLCs helped reduce the changeover time to a matter of few days.

APPLICATION OF PLCs IN MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY PROCESS
In an industrial set PLCs are used to automate manufactring and assembly processess. By process we mean a step-by-step procedure whereby a product is manufactered and assembled. It is the responsibility of the product engineering dept. to plan for manufacture of new or modified products. Other processes might involve the filling and capping of bottles, the priting of newspapers, or the assembly of automobiles etc. In many such manufacturing situations, PLC plays an important role in carrying out the various processes.

IN INDUSRIAL AUTOMATION ADVANTAGES OF PLCs
* Reliability in operation
* Flexibilit in control techniques
* Flexibility in programming and reprogramming in the plant
* Large quantity of contacts
* Online/offlinemodifications
* Cost effective for controlling complex systems
* Small physical size, shorter project time
* In-house simulation &testing of project
* Speed in operation
* Ability to communicate with computer systems in the plant
* Ease of maintenance and trobuleshooting
* Documentation
* Security

The PLC is also designed to operate in the industrial environment with wide ranges of ambient temperature, vibration, and humidity and is not usually affected by the electrical noise that is inherent in most industrial locations. Troubleshooting is simplified in most PLCs because they include fault indicators, blown-fuse indicators, input and output indicators,and written fault information that can be displayed on the programmer. PC is often used for programming and monitoring the PLC, however some PLC manufacturers also offer hand-held programming channels & dedicated