AUTOMATION

Group
Members:

Maria Tariq 16-EE-01

Rubina Akhtar 16-EE-25

Summaiya Tajamul 16-EE-
142
ABSTARC
T

This report explores the detail discussions about “Automation”. The study is conducted
to its

merits, demerits and implication in the industry with the reference of surveys from
different

industries. Steve Job’s said, “Think Different” so creativity in the technical prospect can
promote

automation in industry further. It saves time and demand for time is increasing
with time.
Contents 1 Introduction
............................................................................................................................. 6
2 Advantages of Automation System
......................................................................................... 7
2.1 To increase productivity:
.................................................................................................. 7 2.2 To provide optimum
cost of operation ............................................................................. 7 2.3 To improve
product quality .............................................................................................. 8 2.4 To
reduce routine checks.................................................................................................. 8
2.5 To raise the level of safety
............................................................................................... 8 2.6 High flexibility
................................................................................................................. 8 2.7 High
Information Accuracy ............................................................................................. 8 3
Disadvantages of Industrial Automation
................................................................................. 8
3.1 High Initial cost
................................................................................................................ 8 4 Types of
Industrial Automation Systems ................................................................................ 9
4.1 Fixed or Hard Automation
............................................................................................... 9 4.2 Programmable
Automation .............................................................................................. 9 4.3 Flexible or
Soft Automation ........................................................................................... 10 5
Automation in construction industry
 ..................................................................................... 10
5.1 Scope of Automation Construction:
............................................................................... 11 5.2 Autonomous Machines on the
Construction Site ........................................................... 11 5.3 Drones to Survey
Working Areas and Employees ......................................................... 11 5.4 Robotics in
Concrete Works .......................................................................................... 12 5.5 IOT
Sensors to Collect and Process Data....................................................................... 12
5.6 Virtual Reality during Project Planning and Training ...................................................
12 5.7 Survey on importance of automation:
............................................................................ 12 6 Survey of China State
Construction Engineering Corporation: ............................................ 13
6.1 Concrete mixing:
............................................................................................................ 14 6.2 Automated
Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM): ................................................................. 14 6.3 Flight
information display system (FIDS): .................................................................... 16 6.4
Baggage handling automation: .......................................................................................
16 6.5 Security System:
............................................................................................................. 16 7 Analysis
................................................................................................................................. 16 7.1
Automation Applications Promise to Enhance Efficiency in Construction
............................ 16 7.2 Effects of automation of construction work
................................................................... 16 8 Automation in Metro Bus:
..................................................................................................... 17
9 Survey Of SATUMA (surveillance and target unmanned aircrafts)
.................................... 18
10 Survey of Mari Petroleum Company :
............................................................................... 19
11 Conclusion:
........................................................................................................................ 19
12 References:
......................................................................................................................... 20
13 Appendix:
........................................................................................................................... 20

List of Figures: Figure 1-Industrial Automation

...................................................................................................... 6 Figure 2-Power Plant
Automation ~Siemens ................................................................................. 7 Figure 3-
Automation System ..........................................................................................................
9 Figure 4-Fixed or Hard Automation
............................................................................................... 9 Figure 5-Soft Automation
............................................................................................................. 10 Figure 6-
Demerits of Automation .................................................................................................
13 Figure 7-Benefits of Automation
.................................................................................................. 13 Figure 8-Islamabad
International Airport, while construction ..................................................... 14 Figure 9-
Islamabad International Airport ..................................................................................... 14
Figure 10-Batch Mixer
.................................................................................................................. 14 Figure 11-
Bore Machine~Robbins ............................................................................................... 15
Figure 12-FIDS
............................................................................................................................. 16
Figure 13-Security Control
........................................................................................................... 16 Figure 14-
Grades of Automation .................................................................................................. 17
Figure 15-Metro Bus
..................................................................................................................... 18
1 Introduction Automation takes a step further mechanization that uses a particular
machinery mechanism aided

human operators for performing a task. Mechanization is the manual operation of a task
using

powered machinery that depends on human decision making. On the other hand,
automation

replaces the human involvement with the use of logical programming commands and
powerful

machinerie
s.
 Figure 1-Industrial
Automation

Industrial Automation is the replacement with computers and machines to that of human
thinking. The word Automation gives the meaning ‘self-dictating’ or a mechanism move
by itself that derived from the Greek words Auto and Matos where auto means self while
Matos means moving. In a brief, industrial automation can be defined as the use of set
technologies and automatic control devices that results the automatic operation and
control of industrial processes without significant human intervention and achieving
superior performance than manual control. These automation devices include PLCs,
PCs, PACs, etc. and technologies include various industrial communication systems.

Figure 2-Power Plant Automation

~Siemens

The above figure shows the power plant automation provided by Siemens for achieving

sustainable, safe and economic operations. It provides the total integrated automation
(TIA) by

automating every section of power plant with efficient control devices, field sensors and
actuating

devices. In this automation, SIMATIC modules (PLCs) are used as control devices while
WinCC

provides an effective graphical

interface.

2 Advantages of Automation System 2.1 To increase productivity:

Automation of factory or manufacturing or process plant improves production rate
through a better

control of production. It helps to produce mass production by drastically reducing

assembly time

per product with a greater production quality. Therefore, for a given labor input it
produces a large

amount of
output.

2.2 To provide optimum cost of operation Integration of various processes in industry

with automated machineries, minimizes cycle times

and effort and hence the need of human labour gets reduced. Thus the investment on
employees

has been saved with

automation.
2.3 To improve product quality Since the automation reduces the human involvement,
the possibility of human errors also gets

eliminated. Uniformity and product quality with a greater conformity can be maintained
with

automation by adaptively controlling and monitoring the industrial processes in all

stages right

from inception of a product to an end

product.

2.4 To reduce routine checks Automation completely reduces the need for manual
checking of various process parameters. By

taking advantage of automation technologies, industrial processes automatically adjusts

process

variables to set or desired values using closed loop control

techniques.

2.5 To raise the level of safety Industrial automation increases the level of safety to
personnel by substituting them with

automated machines in hazardous working conditions. Traditionally, industrial robots

and robotic

devices are implemented in such risky and hazardous

places.

2.6 High flexibility Adding a new task in the assembly line requires training with a
human operator, however, robots

can be programmed to do any task. This makes the manufacturing process

more flexible.

2.7 High Information Accuracy Adding automated data collection, can allow you to
collect key production information, improve

data accuracy, and reduce your data collection costs. This provides you with the facts to
make the

right decisions when it comes to reducing waste and improving your

processes.

3 Disadvantages of Industrial Automation 3.1 High Initial cost The initial

investment associated with the making the switch from a human production line to an

automatic production line is very high. Also, substantial costs are involved in training
employees

to handle this new sophisticated

equipment.

Other disadvantages
are:

➢Unemployment at the cost of

modernization

➢Leads to drain from the

country

➢Requires a high capital cost for setting up and

maintenance
➢Skilled and expert handlers or workers are required due to the need of high
technical

knowledge to operate the

machines

➢Untrained workers cannot be employed which increase the initial cost of

project
➢Trained labors are not available easily and trained labors charges higher than
untrained labor

4 Types of Industrial Automation

Systems

Figure 3-Automation
System

4.1 Fixed or Hard Automation This type of

automation is employed to perform

fixed and repetitive operations in order to

achieve

high production rates. It uses special purpose

or

dedicated equipment to automate the fixed

sequence assembling or processing
operations.

Once it is employed, it is relatively hard to

change

or vary the product design. Therefore, it is

inflexible in providing product variety, but

increases the efficiency with higher

production

rate and reduces unit cost.Some of these conveyor

automated s.
Figure 4-Fixed or Hard
systems are distilled process, paint shops Automation
and

4.2 Programmable Automation In this automation, a specific class of product changes and also asse
processing

operations can be changed with the modification of control program in the automated equipment.
This automation is best suited for batch production process where product volume is medium to

high. But in this, it is hard to change and reconfigure the system for a new product or sequence of

operations. Therefore, new product or reconfigure of sequence of operations requires a long setup.

Examples of this automation system are numerically controlled machines, paper mills, steel rolling

mills, industrial robots, etc.

4.3 Flexible or Soft Automation This automation system provides the

automatic control

equipment that offers a great flexibility for making

changes in the product design. These changes can be

performed quickly through the commands given in the

form of codes by the human operators. This automation

allows the manufacturers to produce multiple products

with different ranges as a combined combination

process rather than separate.

Some of the examples of this automation system are

Figure 5-Soft
automatic guided vehicles, automobiles, and Automation

multipurpose CNC
machines.

5 Automation in construction industry The construction industry is one of the most unfamilia
in the robotics and automation

community. During the old ages the technological level of construction industry was very high for

their historical period. The old civilizations build very long lasting structures like pyramids,

acropolis, aqueducts, cathedrals, etc. They used innovative processes and elements. Nevertheless,

nowadays some construction processes change not so much. For example, the building erection

process has changed very little over the past eighty years. The middle ages pulleys are substituted

by cranes. They are more sophisticated than centuries ago, but work with the same philosophy:

manual control, human operator visual feedback, big positioning error, etc. The only elements that

have change are: the actuators (electrical motors instead of human force) and materials (steel based

instead of wood). These two advances permit to increase the elevation speed, payload and

reachability. But construction philosophy is not changed a great deal. In the field of service

robotics the construction industry is one of the most important areas of research. The main

difficulty of RAC is related with on-site out-door environment’s conditions that are much
unstructured. The manipulation of heavy pieces, big tolerances, low level of standardization,

medium level of industrialization and pre-fabrication, intervention of numerous non-coordinated

actors (architects, builders, suppliers, etc.), etc. are others important features of this sector. This is

why all the involved actors (researchers, companies and administrations) must make new efforts

to increase the automation level of this important sector.

The Automation includes site monitoring, machine automation, inspection, etc. The gap between
research and development (R&D) in automation at universities and actual site requirements is a

huge challenge to overcome.1

5.1 Scope of Automation Construction: Automation and robotics is the hot new trend in many differe
industries. Construction

Companies are looking for ways of automating repetitive, time-consuming, and dangerous tasks

to enhance efficiency and improve the safety of workers. The construction industry is no

different. In fact, automation is an excellent solution for builders to increase operational

efficiency and to cut down on costs. The scope of automation in the construction industry is quite

broad, extending from initial planning stages all the way to operating and maintaining the final

structure.

Here are five examples of automation being used in the construction industry.

5.2 Autonomous Machines on the Construction Site Perhaps the most common example of autom
construction is the use of autonomous

machines. These are essentially self-driving machines that can be used to transport materials across

the work site and to haul heavy items without posing a risk to workers. For example, machines can

be fitted with robotic technology solutions and sensors that enable forklifts, diggers, trucks, and

other similar equipment to operate without a driver in the cabin. By creating relevant paths,

providing GPS capabilities, and programming movement of the machine itself, construction site

workers can remotely operate machinery and enjoy more efficient processes.

5.3 Drones to Survey Working Areas and Employees Drones are another useful example of constru
automation, allowing for the automated

monitoring of worksites without the need for active supervision. Drones can be programmed to

automatically scan the working area for any potential hazards, after which signals can be sent back

1 Journal of Engineering Technology (ISSN: 0747-9964) Volume 6, Issue 2, July, 2017, PP.799-831
to a centralized control system. Using drones allows construction companies to conduct pre-project
inspections and other important site monitoring activities.

5.4 Robotics in Concrete Works Automation in construction has also found its way to concrete mixin
systems and

robotics are being used to mix concrete, lay the cement, polish floors, and remove surface water.

This also allows companies to prepare precast and ready-mixed concrete products that take a much

shorter time to install. Automation reduces material consumption and eliminates the human error

that would otherwise go into concrete works. Another area of concrete work that is enjoying the

benefits of automation is concrete floor polishing. Programmable machines are being used to

polish soft concrete in both commercial and residential structures. These machines can be

programmed to pour and level concrete in the right portions while avoiding obstacles near the work

zone. Demolition robots are also being used to bring down walls and to dismantle concrete slabs.

This often results in lower operational costs and a safer working environment for employees.

5.5 IOT Sensors to Collect and Process Data Sensors are the key devices that make automation po
These devices can take real-time

readings of location, temperature, pressure and other conditions. Sensors allow construction

companies to automate many different machines and robots according to their preferences.

Sensors can also transmit signals to machines to trigger a specific action. For example, automation

is typically achieved in welding and fabrication machines through the use of sensors. These sensors

collect important environmental data that can be used to trigger a relevant action in the welding

machine.

5.6 Virtual Reality during Project Planning and Training Virtual reality systems are another exampl
automation in construction. These systems allow

for construction companies to plan for a project even before they lay down a single brick. Virtual

reality simulates a realistic environment that allows builders to interact with a particular structure

using a series of scanned images. For example, builders can virtually crawl through pipes in the

building to determine if they have enough room for repair and form of automation because it uses

programmed 3D scans that are highly accurate and not prone to human error.
5.7 Survey on importance of automation: For survey we designed a questionnaire, to grade how mu
automation is for the

employees of industry.

Benefits of Automation:

Figure 7-Benefits of Automation

Demerits of Automation:
x = [30,40,10,20]; pie(x,{'unemployment','cost','creativity skill reduction','pollution'})

6 Survey of China State Construction Engineering Corporation: The construction of th

Islamabad International Airport was undertaken by China State

Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), one of the largest state-owned construction

companies of China. In this report, and we focused on airport project by CSCEC.

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Figure 6-Demerits of Automation

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Figure 8-Islamabad International Airport, while construction

Figure 9-Islamabad International Airport

6.1 Concrete mixing: Concrete batching plant is used for mixing

concrete. It uses automation resulting in better

efficiency and time saving. Manually concrete

mixing seems quite difficult, but automation

helps by better mixing of concrete in less time.

6.2 Automated Tunnel Boring Machine

(TBM): It is used for this purpose drilling purpose. Manually drillings seems now quite impossible
Figure 10-Batch Mixer

Figure 11-Bore Machine Robbins

Convert integrated airport solutions (CIAS)

Airport is designed profitable, to make ease for passengers by reducing cost, flight delays, check

in queues, choked lifts, car parking problems, congestions and bottlenecks on the air side, land

side and terminal.

Intelligent building management system: (IBMS)

Some of the services provided are:

➢AC

➢Ventilation

➢Lightning

➢CCTV
 ➢Lifts

Sensor is self-detector, controller is self-decoder whereas, and actuator is self-responder.

IBMS, basically
consist of 3 parts:
no controlle
r

actuator
6.3 Flight information display
carrying heavy baggage. Conveyer belt is
system
used.
(FIDS): Flight information display
system is tailored 6.5 Security System: CCTV, access
control, intelligent building
carefully, and made as simple and clear
as management system, and fire control is
making
possibl
e. job easy in this
area.
6.4 Baggage handling automation: It is
used for ease of workers and
passengers. 7 Analysis
Figure 12-
It will save time and help workers and FIDS

passengers for not consuming their

energies in
 Figure 13-Security
Control

7.1 Automation Applications Promise to Enhance Efficiency in Construction

When we think about construction automation, we should think about robotics applications and

whether we can use robots to ease work that humans have traditionally done. Investors are putting

millions of dollars into developing robots for construction. These robots will enhance productivity

in the construction sector. And leading firms are creating new methods that will revolutionize how

the biggest players in the business process materials in the coming decades.

A company called “Construction Automation” recently released a robotic product called “SAM

100.” The robot, whose name stands for “Semi-Automated Mason” is reportedly capable of laying

over 2000 bricks per day, compared to a human that might lay just 400. SAM 100 is the first

commercially available brick-laying robot and promises to accelerate jobs and enhance profits

anywhere it’s used.

7.2 Effects of automation of construction work

➢Necessary to reduce hazardous jobs

➢Can be an effective means to shorten the term of construction work.

➢Essential to deal with the shortage of labor force.

➢Will reduce construction cost.

➢Necessary to meet demands for higher quality and accuracy of architecture and achieve

consistent quality and accuracy.

➢Robots can do jobs impossible for human workers and thus the degree of freedom in

designing will increase.

➢Can reduce workloads and fatigue of craftsmen (skilled workers).

➢Effective for maintenance work such as window wiping, cleaning and inspection
8 Automation in Metro Bus: There are four grades of automation in
metro bus services.

Figure 14-Grades of Automation

It has:

➢Automated Fare Collection System with off Board Ticketing

➢Elevators

➢Escalators

➢Automatic closing and opening doors

➢Announcing stops and cautions.

Unattended Train Operation has many benefits and many beneficiaries: customers, operators, funding

authorities and staff. Technical progress has made train control systems capable of supervising,

operating and controlling the entire operational process. The key elements for this are:
Automatic Train Protection
safety; it avoids collisions, red
(ATP) is the system and all signal

equipment responsible for basic overrunning and exceeding

speed ATP corresponds (at least) to a

limits by applying brakes GoA1

.
automatically. A line equipped Figure 15-Metro
with Bus

Automatic Train Operation (ATO) insures partial or complete automatic train piloting and

driverless functionalities. The ATO system performs all the functions of the driver, except for door

closing. The driver only needs to close the doors, and if the way is clear, the train will automatically

proceed to the next station. This corresponds to a GoA2. Many newer systems are completely

computer controlled; most systems still elect to maintain a driver, or a train attendant of some kind,

to mitigate risks associated with failures or emergencies. This corresponds to a GoA3.

Automatic Train Control (ATC) performs automatically normal signaler operations such as

route setting and train regulation. The ATO and the ATC systems work together to maintain a train

within a defined tolerance of its timetable. The combined system will marginally adjust operating

parameters such as the ratio of power to coast when moving and station dwell time, in order to

bring the train back to the timetable slot defined for it. There is no driver, and no staff assigned to

accompany the train, corresponding to a GoA4.

At Grade of Automation 4, ATC systems work within an overall signaling system with

interlocking, automatic train supervision, track vacancy detection and communication functions.

9 Survey Of SATUMA (surveillance and target unmanned aircrafts) SATUMA, prides itself on the d
design, and manufacture of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial

Vehicles) for surveillance and other civilian applications. With over two decades of R&D and

manufacturing experience, SATUMA is well poised to take advantage of the increasing global

demand for unmanned surveillance systems.

SATUMA has the distinction of being the only company in the private sector whose products are

formally inducted in the Pakistan Air Force and Army.

10 Survey of Mari Petroleum Company : Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) (formerly
Company Limited) is a
Pakistani petroleum exploration and production company based in Islamabad, Pakistan. The

company is controlled by the Fauji Foundation with 40 percent shares.

It is operating the country’s second largest gas reservoir at Mari Field, District Ghotki, Sindh.

MPCL is primarily engaged in exploration, development and production of hydrocarbon products

(natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and liquified petroleum gas).

It is listed and traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

11 Conclusion:

The importance of implementing automation technologies is the need of today’s infrastructure

projects and construction firms in order to increase the productivity and good quality of work. So,

automation is an important supplement that caters to the need of mega-construction and fast-track

construction. Today it is evident that the level of automation in construction is low in comparison

with current technological advancement that is why we must we must make new efforts to increase

automation level of this important sector.

Moreover, the problems associated with construction work such as decreasing quality of work,

labor shortages, and safety of labor and working condition of projects can be overcome by new

innovative technologies such as automation which has the potential to improve the quality, safety,

and productivity of the construction .With little hope of reversing a long-standing labor shortage,

automation technologies are the way forward for the construction industry when it comes to

enhancing productivity and boosting profits. The adoption and integration of automation, and the

widespread use of prefabrication is definitely be the best opportunities for the construction

business to thrive in the next decade and many years to come.

12 References:
• https://midwestepi.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/the-economic-consequences-of-a-highly- automa
construction-industry-final.pdf
• https://www.lifewire.com/effects-of-the-automation-in-construction-818017
• https://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/scope of automation in construction.asp
 • http://bpastudio.csudh.edu/FAC/LPRESS/471/hout/netech/tcpintro.htm
• http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=169578
• https://gradeup.co/automation-in-construction-industries-ba1194bd-c5ab-11e5-9dcb- 5849de73f8

13 Appendix:

Appendix are enclosed with report in which survey questionnaire and their responses are
available.