Degree of automation
Automation in industrial production has developed rapidly in recent decades and is a decisive factor for the success of manufacturing companies in terms of increasing the efficiency, productivity and quality of production processes. Depending on the degree of automation, four main stages can be distinguished: Worker Assistance Systems, Semi-Automated Systems, Standalone Systems and Interlinked Production Systems. Each of these stages offers specific benefits and challenges that influence the decision-making process for a particular automation solution. By comprehensively analysing your processes and products, our experts are able to design a customised and needs-based process automation solution that fits your requirements and sets up your production in an innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient way.
In today's industrial landscape, automation and digitalisation are playing an increasingly important role. Worker assistance systems are a simple way to implement this trend and represent the first stage of possible automation within industrial production. They are devices or systems that support or guide the worker. They are designed to optimise the interactions of man and machine, increase efficiency and minimise errors. The areas of application of modern assistance systems are diverse and are adapted to your specific requirements.
Worker assistance systems consist of various key components:
- Sensors
- Data processing and analysis
- Communication interfaces
- Human-machine interfaces
![IBG - Automation level - Worker assistance system ibg-automation-level-worker-assistance-system](files/content/automationsgrad/ibg-automationsgrad-werkerassistenzsystem.jpg)
Automation solutions are crucial for manufacturing sectors to increase their efficiency, quality and competitiveness in industrial production. A semi-automated system is a production system that combines human labour and automated technologies to optimise production processes. In contrast to fully automated systems, in which machines and robots work largely independently, semi-automated plants still require human intervention and supervision. Partially automated plants and systems enable adaptation to changing requirements, they manage complex tasks, but where human intelligence and flexibility are still required. Partial automation marks the first step towards more extensive process automation.
Partially automated plants are characterised by the following features:
- Human-robot collaboration (HRC)
- Flexibility
- Cost savings
![IBG - Level of automation - Partially automated plant ibg-automation-level-part-automation-plant](files/content/automationsgrad/ibg-automationsgrad-teilautomatisierteanlage.jpg)
The automation of production steps within an industrial manufacturing environment is a key issue in today's world of production. Single plant, as one of the main components of this automation process, plays a crucial role in increasing efficiency, quality and cost savings. Single equipment refers to specialised machines or systems that are used to automate a specific production step within a larger manufacturing process. This production step can be many and varied, from the assembly of components to quality inspection or the packaging of end products, a wide variety of processes can be automated.
Advantages of process automation using stand-alone equipment:
- Increased efficiency
- Improved quality
- Cost reduction
- Flexibility
- Occupational safety
![Production line for bonnets Module – Production line for bonnets Module –](files/content/loesungen/montagetechnik/hauben-modul-fertigungslinie/ibg-montagesysteme-hauben-modul-fertigungslinie.jpg)
Industrial production has made considerable progress in terms of efficiency and automation in recent decades. The highest level of process automation in this context is so-called "interlinked production". This innovative and forward-looking method of increasing productivity while reducing production costs has revolutionised manufacturing processes. Interlinked production, also referred to as "networked production" or "integrated production", is a comprehensive concept for the complete automation and optimisation of manufacturing processes in industry. This highly developed method takes into account all aspects of production, from material procurement and production to quality control and logistics, production steps are seamlessly linked.
Interlinked production is characterised by several key features:
- Real-time communication
- Automation
- Flexibility
- End-to-end transparency
- Data analysis and optimisation
![Mounting system accurate to the millimetre – Mounting system accurate to the millimetre –](files/content/loesungen/montagetechnik/millimetergenaues-montagesystem/ibg-montagesysteme-millimetergenaues-montagesystem.jpg)
In order to find an optimal, customised solution and to make the best use of the advantages of automating processes, careful planning and analysis is crucial for the experts at IBG. Here, the selection of the right level of automation in industrial production depends on various factors, including the type of products to be manufactured, the production volume, the available resources and the specific requirements of the company. Contact us. We will be happy to advise you on how you can set up your production processes for the future.