Automation engineering is a discipline that analyzes how humans can perform tasks repetitively and reliably with minimal human involvement.
This includes understanding predictive analytics, embedded systems design and programming, implementation of industrial automation systems, sensor networks design and implementation, electrical engineering concepts such as impedance control, electromechanics analysis of rotating machines or servo-motors in robotics or computer-aided design; among others.
The most common use for automation engineering is in manufacturing where the tasks to be done are highly repetitive in nature. Automated manufacturing has become more popular recently due to its efficiency despite the fact that it has been around for many years.
Automation engineering is the design and building of automated systems used in industry. This includes the design of manufacturing systems, control systems, robotics and other industrial devices.
Automation engineers are typically responsible for developing these systems part by part. They will work alongside mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, process engineers and computer scientists among others to develop these sophisticated devices.
Automation engineers can also be found on a construction site where they will automate processes such as elevator controls or machine safety shutdowns. One example would be designing a system that can detect when an elevator is about to hit someone who may be standing in the doorway or get stuck in between floors.
How To Become An Automation Engineer
People who wish to pursue a career as an automation engineer will have to complete university studies so as to acquire knowledge on how these systems work and what they can do as well as acquire the skills required for operating them.
There are two types of degrees that one can pursue; one is a Bachelor’s degree in automation engineering and the other is a Master’s or PhD degree. Women make up 12.7% of process and automation engineers, whereas men make up 87.3% of this profession.
The Bachelor’s degree will take usually four years to complete while the Master’s and Doctorate degrees will take 5-6 years to complete which means you need to be very serious in choosing which program you wish to pursue.
You can decide on whether you want to get a Bachelor’s degree or a Master of Science degree depending on how much time do you have because it will determine how long it would take for you to complete your study.
Why Automation In Engineering Is Important
Automation Engineers in the United States make an average of $90,411 per year. Automation engineering is a very important prerequisite in any business or industry because it will result in more efficient and higher-quality products which means that the products produced by the company will be competitive in the market.
It will also result in more competitive prices for customers who buy your product because the cost of production is lower when compared to competitors. This fact alone can be enough to make you consider pursuing this career as you will have many benefits and advantages that most people could not have without this background knowledge.
Benefits Of Automation Engineering
Mechanical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and operation of machines and tools. Automated solutions are becoming increasingly important in mechanical engineering, as they can help automated processes and reduce the need for human labor.
Software processes are a key part of many automated solutions, and test automated machinery is essential to ensure that it is safe and effective. By 2030, there will be a significant danger of job displacement due to automation for one in every four American positions.
The company offers customer service processes and automation solutions to streamline efficiency and optimize productivity. The company has a wide range of process automation and product or software development solutions for electrical and mechanical engineering.
1. Reduction In Energy Consumption
An automation system can reduce energy consumption for systems that use mechanical power. In some systems, the electrical consumption will be much greater than the mechanical power consumption.
Another benefit to this is that it reduces wear and tear on mechanical components such as gears, bearings, cables and so on.
2. Improved Safety
With automated systems such as a robotics arm or lift control system, it is easier to ensure safety when scheduling tasks and performing them safely.
The best part about this benefit is that the operator can select what they want to do first or how they want to do it which means improved safety in terms of human errors made during operations and scheduling tasks.
3. Improved Flexibility
An automation system can be programmed to be flexible for various tasks or depending on the workflow that is needed. The best part about this benefit is that the control program can be changed easily as well if you need to change a task that needs to be automated.
4. Improved Precision
A fully automated system will require less supervision than one that is not automated because it is more precise and consistent in what it does.
The automation system will do exactly what it was programmed to do and in most cases, there are very few mistakes made by these systems especially when they are used in a manufacturing setting. This means increased accuracy and less wasted time and material.
5. Reduced Costs
In the US, 70% of repetitive mental and physical occupations are susceptible to automation. Automation systems can improve productivity and reduce inefficient processes. This results in more time and resources being used which will result in savings for the company.
6. Improved Quality
An automation system can be programmed to perform a task precisely, accurately, consistently and in a very short period of time so that the quality of the product is improved.
In some cases, an automation system may not have any error which means you can benefit from increased accuracy and quality when it comes to your products or manufacturing processes.
7. Reduced Downtime
The reduction in down time is one of the most important reasons for why automation engineers work in industry.
There are many tasks that can be automated which can reduce downtime for a company and its customers to perform their processes or operations. This means reduced production costs and improved shortening of downtimes.
8. Decreased Manufacturing Errors
An automation system is programmed to perform a task as intended with minimal mistakes so that you don’t waste resources from repeated failures that may have negative impacts on your operation such as financial losses, poor customer service, production delays and so on.
When an automated system performs a task correctly, there are very few errors made which means no waste of time, energy or material.
Risks Of Automation Engineering
Automation technology is constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. As a result, there is a growing demand for qualified automation engineer skills who can design, implement, and maintain automated systems in food processing plants.
In England, 1.5 million occupations, or 7.4% of all jobs, are in risk of being automated out of existence.
An automation engineer must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be able to work effectively in a team environment. They must also be familiar with the latest automation technologies and be able to apply them to real-world situations.
1. Safety Risk
Automation engineering deals with complex systems that may pose a safety risk to workers. It is important to ensure that these systems are designed in a manner that ensures the safety of workers and other stakeholders in the operation.
This includes a risk analysis of the system, instructions given to operators and maintenance personnel.
2. Social Risks
The development of automation engineering devices and concepts may result in people losing jobs which can result in social problems.
These problems can include increased crimes, lack of motivation among the workforce, unemployment levels rising due to robots taking over jobs and so on. This needs proactive planning by all stakeholders including government authorities so that everyone benefits from automation engineering devices.
3. Job Losses
Another risk associated with automation engineering is job losses. This may result in many people losing their jobs if a company is no longer able to operate due to excess automation or it starts losing customers due to the fact that its products are not as competitive in the market.
It may also result in people being jobless because they cannot keep up with the pace of technological change or they did not get a higher education to prepare themselves for what has been automated. All these factors will result in social problems which means proactive planning on part of governments need to be put into place.
4. Career Opportunities
The average risk of exposure to automation is highest (49%) for the youngest workers (ages 16 to 24) in the US.
The definition of automation engineering is that it is the process of designing and programming machines, computer hardware or software to take over a task so that humans do not have to do the task themselves. This means there are career opportunities and job security which is a very positive thing.
5. Loss Of Competitiveness
Automation engineering must not be undertaken lightly if you are a large company or organization because it may result in your loss of competitiveness as a result from increased automation.
This will have adverse effects on your operations, prices and profits which means you will have to focus your efforts on finding other ways to stay competitive in the market.
6. Unrealistic Expectations
Automation engineering has the ability to transform any business or industry into a high-tech machine which may result in unrealistic expectations on the part of customers, investors and stakeholders because they believe that it is a magic wand but it is not.
Automation engineering can only be used to do what an automated system can and in most cases, you need highly skilled people to work with automation systems or machines. So if you are buying an automation system, make sure that you read the manual and understand exactly how it works and how to use it for your business or organization.
7. Cost
Automation engineering is not cheap by any means. For instance, if you are developing a new machine or software which does the same task that a human can do, it will be expensive. However, if you can design a device which works in tandem with a human in an operation or a process, this will be less expensive.
This is because humans have to learn how to work with the machines which may take months or years of training before they are fully capable of performing the task competently and to your satisfaction. Oftentimes, these jobs will be outsourced to countries such as China where labor costs are lower and this will mean that the product is less expensive.
8. Other Risks
There are many other risks that come with automation engineering such as intellectual property issues, employment related issues, cultural and ethical issues and numerous other risks that may lead to societal problems in many countries around the world.
A good example of this is that some companies will outsource their manufacturing processes such as making a component for a product to China where labor costs are very low. This means there is unfair advantage over competitors owned by companies who do not outsource jobs or manufacturing processes as they are more expensive.
This results in social problems which can have adverse effects on the economy which may result in serious financial or economic loss for the country.
Final Note
Automation engineering has the power to create massive changes in various organizations and businesses around the world. It is a very important concept in today’s fast-paced world where it is used to meet customer needs with the use of high-tech machines, software programs and other digital devices.
The future of automation engineering is bright which means there are more benefits for those who get involved in this field of study and research because they will have high demand for their services.