Top 4 Industries That Can Benefit From Factory Automation
30 Aug 2024 
As businesses become more competitive and advanced, they always look for ways to improve their production efficiency. Indeed, the old saying “time is money” has never been more accurate in today’s fast-paced environment.
This is why the factory automation industry is continuously rising, especially since its primary offering is helping businesses streamline operations and enhance productivity. Besides process optimisation, this system also promises cost reduction to businesses, making it one of the critical drivers of success across industries.
In this article, you will learn about factory automation, its benefits, the different types of automation, and the top industries that could benefit from it.
What is Factory Automation?
Factory automation integrates technologies and digital solutions into your business workflow to minimise manual or human intervention. It helps your overall process increase productivity, reduce costs, and consistently improve quality.
The main goal of factory automation is to precisely handle repetitive tasks so that workers can focus on more complex and strategic tasks that will benefit the business. Before, automation was all about machines and equipment, but as technology advances, automation scope also expands.
Components like robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and software systems have also been staples in integrating this type of system.
These new components also became significant in how factory automation can be used in more industries. Gone are the days when automation was only used in manufacturing. Today, the sky is the limit, so any industry can opt to automate its process or system.
Types of Factory Automation
Factory automation is not a one-size-fits-all. Thus, understanding the different types is essential for selecting the best approach for your business needs. Below are the most common types of factory automation.
Production Automation
This type of factory automation integrates technologies like machines, robotics, and pneumatic systems to perform repetitive tasks in production, such as product assembly and packaging.
If you are in the same line of business, this type of automation will help your business scale up operations while maintaining high product quality.
Data Collection Automation
Having real-time and accurate data regarding the company’s workflow and processes is crucial, which is what data collection automation offers.
This system can track almost everything related to your operations, including machine performance, production duration, quality, equipment consumption, etc. Aside from monitoring, this factory automation can provide instant updates or notify leads of inefficiencies that must be addressed.
Data Interpretation Automation
While the previous automation type focuses on the collection, this next one transforms the collected raw data into graphs or actionable insights.
AI and machine learning are crucial in this type of automation. The mentioned tools generate the interpretation so the company’s executives and managers can identify bottlenecks, find the problem’s cause, and provide action items.
Documentation Automation
Documentation is crucial in a company as it manages production knowledge and shows how compliant the business is with laws and standard practices.
This is why documentation automation is necessary in every business. It streamlines and simplifies the creation and management of records, including production logs, sustainability reporting, and compliance reports.
Decision-Making Automation
The primary function of decision-making automation, or intelligent automation, is to make quick and data-driven decisions for your business.
This automation can help you decide on maintenance, labour schedules, and changes in everyday production. An excellent example is the use of automated systems by some logistics companies to optimise real-time delivery routes based on traffic and weather data.
What Are The Benefits of Factory Automation?
Integrating a factory automation system in your business has numerous advantages that help enhance operations. Listed below are some of these benefits:
- Boosted Productivity: As automation can enable machines to function 24/7, you can achieve higher output in fewer business days.
- Quality Consistency: Factory automation delivers uniform products, so you can minimise product variations or defects once set up with the proper settings.
- Enhanced Workplace Safety: Human intervention is rarely needed when you have automation. Hence, exposure to dangerous tasks is low.
- Eco-Friendly Operations: Resource optimisation is one of automation’s key promises, and this helps lower waste and energy consumption.
- Addresses Labour Shortages: Despite workforce shortages, your production can still be business as usual with factory automation systems in place.
The Top 4 Industries That Benefit From Factory Automation Solution
Factory automation has revolutionised various industries by providing solutions that enhance businesses’ productivity, safety, and precision.
If you want to transform your business, check out these top 4 industries that benefit from factory automation solutions to get an idea of what’s to come when you integrate one into your system.
1. Aviation
Aviation has one of the strictest standards—whether in operations or aircraft quality–across industries. This is why it also has labour-intensive manufacturing processes, with many tasks requiring skilled workers.
It’s good that the industry has started embracing automation in its processes. Automation in aviation is primarily used in high-volume and repetitive tasks, significantly enhancing precision when producing aircraft components. However, AI and robotics are also being integrated into the system to optimise production schedules and do functions like riveting and painting.
The integration of automation in aviation reduces errors, enhancing aircraft safety and reliability.
2. Semiconductor
Although semiconductors are not the largest industry on this list, their rapid growth in the past years can be attributed to workflow automation.
Semiconductor products are complex and detailed; an automated system is essential to produce the microchips needed precisely and quickly.
Specifically, factory automation reduces defects, ensuring that the quality of the semiconductors is at par with the standards. Automated processes also allow companies to accelerate production timelines and meet growing demands.
3. Oil & Gas
The oil and gas industry faces multiple challenges related to workers’ safety, sustainability practices, and the need for accurate control and processes. Factory automation can address these risks and challenges.
The primary focus of factory automation in this industry is on providing accurate monitoring and control systems and reducing human involvement in hazardous machines and tasks. If your business is related to this industry, automation can also help you in data analytics and documentation to ensure that your process meets sustainable standards.
4. General Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry is one of the most significant consumers of factory automation companies. It needs versatile solutions for various manufacturing processes, which is why almost all automation technologies are used.
AI, robotics, and software systems are common elements in manufacturing automation as they help improve workflow efficiency, reduce waste, and produce consistent and accurate quality.
The automation system is primarily used in product assembly, packaging, and quality checks. By automating these steps, businesses could produce more products faster and at a lower cost.
Achieve a New Level of Efficiency through Factory Automation
Factory automation has indeed transformed how different industries conduct their operations. It has been an essential recipe for success for many businesses, and rightfully so, especially given how tight the competition is nowadays.
As business owners, you need to improve your business’s efficiency while maintaining superb quality. The answer is automating your systems.
So, start partnering with experts like AECSS. We can help you navigate the evolving and competitive landscape in your industry. We specialise in providing state-of-the-art end-to-end automation systems and engineering solutions to help your business stays competitive and optimise operations.
Contact us today for customised automation solutions to equip your business for the future.
