Automation in production

Automation means using machines and systems to carry out production tasks with little or no continuous human effort. Robotics is a form of automation where programmable machines perform physical tasks, such as moving, cutting or packing items. Once set up and switched on, they can keep working without a person operating them every second.

Improving quality

Automated equipment can improve quality because it repeats the same movement to a consistent standard. A machine set to cut panels to 40.0 cm will cut every panel to 40.0 cm, rather than one at 39.8 cm and the next at 40.3 cm. This gives greater accuracy and fewer human errors, such as a tired worker fitting a part the wrong way round. Quality still depends on the machine being programmed, checked and maintained correctly.

Improving or reducing flexibility

Technology can improve flexibility when it is reprogrammable. A business can change the machine's instructions so it switches quickly from making one product to another, or from one task to another, without buying new equipment. For example, a small furniture workshop could use a computer-controlled cutter to make chair parts in the morning and shelf parts in the afternoon by loading a different design file.

However, highly specialised technology may reduce flexibility. If a machine is built to perform only one task or make only one product, it cannot be switched to something else when demand changes. A machine that only attaches handles to a particular mug design is very efficient at that job, but useless if customers start asking for a different shape.