What is automation?
Automation is a technology in which the mechanical, electronic, computer based systems are used to operate and control production without human assistance.
Application or fields of automation :
Automated machine tools( CNC machines, NC machines,automated lathe)
Automated machining operation
Automated assembly lines
Automated guided vehicles(AGVs)
Automated storage system
`Automation in respect of CNC machines
Some examples of automation which the machine tool manufacturers have already considered and incorporated in the design of the machine tools (as in the case of CNC machines).
1. Gantry loaders.
2. Bar Pullers.
3. Pneumatic chucks and collets.
4. Bar feeders.
5. Auto chuck jaw changers.
6. ATC (Automatic Tool Changers).
7. Auto tool off-set measurement.
8. In-process gauging/Post-process gauging.
9. Auto pallet changers.
10. Auto tool length measurement.
11. Auto tool breakage detector.
12. Touch trigger probes.
13. Adaptive feed rate control.
How it is implemented
In the very beginning when the CNC machine tools were added to the conventional machine tools they used to control only the position of job relative to cutting tool. The cutting process and