Manufacturing automation is transforming the tool and die shop floor. As technology advances with the rise of Industry 4.0, we’re able to gather more insights than ever before. Machines are being integrated with Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) the industry is seeing a new area of automation where software and machinery are increasingly more capable, and the manufacturing value stream is evolving.
Automation is being implemented at varying levels depending on the industries served and the products being produced.
This white paper breaks down and discusses automation into 5 levels:
- Operator Assistance
- Partial
- Conditional
- High
- Full
Within each of these five levels, the involvement of the people, processes, and technologies employed change, as well.
There is no one single path to follow, but it is important that businesses understand where their shop currently stands as it relates to automation. From there, they must develop a sound strategy and action plan for integration.
No two shops will do it the same, but it will be incredibly important for shops to consider all three facets of the business – Technology, Process and People – to successfully move through the automation roadmap.
