Automation Systems

Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need of human work in the production of goods and services. The process of automation is used in different fields. In the scope of industrialization, automation is one step beyond mechanization. Automation systems are usually required to interact with human in some ways. In some automation systems, a variety of different instructions from humans is required. And the decision making capability of the system must be quite sophisticated Inorder to deal with array of possibilities. Some of the significant applications of automation are: 1) Communication. 2) Transportation. 3) Service industries. 4) Consumer products. Advantages of automation systems: 1) Replacing human operators in the task s that involve hard physical or monotonous work. 2) Replacing humans in tasks done in dangerous environments. 3) Performing tasks that are beyond human human capabilities of size, weight, speed, endurance etc. 4) Economy improvement- Automation may improve in economy of enterprises, society, or most of humanity. Disadvantages of automation system are: 1) Technology limits. 2) Unpredictable development limits. 3) High initial cost. Laser engraving machine Actually speaking, laser engraving is the practice of using lasers to engrave or mark an object. This technique does not involve tool bits which contact the engraving surface and wear out. This is considered as an advantage over alternative engraving technologies where bit heads have to be replaced regularly. The impact of laser engraving has been more pronounced for specially-designed 'laserable' materials. These mainly include polymer and novel metal alloys. A laser engraving machine consists of three main parts: a laser, a controller and a surface. Materials that can be engraved are: 1) plastics 2) metals 3) coated metals 4) stone and glass 5) jewelry 6) fine art Some industrial applications of Laser engraving systems are: 1) Direct laser engraving of flexographic plates and cylinders. 2) Direct photopolymer laser imaging. 3) Laser engraving of anilox rolls. 4) Sub-surface laser engraving(SSLE) Pad printing Pad printing is the process of transferring 2D image into 3D object. This is accomplished using an indirect offset printing process that involves an image being transferred from the printing plate via a silicon pad onto a substrate. Pad is actually a three dimensional objects typically molded of silicone rubber. Pad printing applications are: 1) Medical devices. 2) Implantable and in body medical items. 3) Golf ball logos/graphics. 4) Automotive parts. 5) Letters on computer keyboards and calculator keys. 6) TV computer monitors. 7) Identification labels and serial numbers for many applications. Hot stamping Hot stamping is a dry printing method in which a heated die and foil are used to apply graphics to the surface. This is one type of security printing. Hot stamping is a straight forward process. Hot stamping is a process in which an engraved image, hot stamping die or type, is heated, and then forced down against a part with marking foil sandwiched in between. The area where the die meets the part is where the ink from the foil is left behind. Components of Hot Stamping process are: 1) Anvil 2) FOIL ROLL LEAF. 3) HOT STAMPING DIE.