There are four of them. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks, so you must consider your business needs before deciding.
1. Fixed automation
Fixed automation is developed to carry out a single process or task, making it best suited for repetitive and well-defined tasks. This type is commonly used in manufacturing settings, where the equipment is fixed with a particular set of functions, and there are rarely any changes to these operations.
However, if any changes are required in the production process, including changes in the components’ design or the raw materials, the entire system must be redesigned and rebuilt. It can be an expensive and tedious process. If there are any problems with the equipment, it cannot be easy to troubleshoot and repair.
2. Programmable automation
By entering computer code into the system, you can manage programmable automation components to perform multiple functions quickly and easily. It makes them much more adjustable than fixed tools, which means you can customize them to meet the specific requirements of each product.
Programmable automation solutions are widely used across industries, but it is particularly well-suited for the packaging industry and material handling apps. Programmable automation can quickly change assignments; however, this type can be less reliable and require more maintenance.
3. Flexible automation
Flexible automation is the best of both worlds: the reliability and precision of fixed automation, with the adaptability and flexibility of programmable automation.
With this type of automation, companies get computer-controlled systems that can seamlessly adjust to changing needs quickly and easily. It makes it perfect for food and beverage production industries, where recipes or ingredients may need to be changed frequently.
There is often confusion between flexible and programmable automation, as they are quite similar. However, users are typically limited to batch production or low-variation tasks with programmable automation. Meanwhile, you can adjust flexible automated systems for different levels of complexity in the manufacturing process.
4. Integrated automation
It combines two or more types of automation to create a custom solution, which is developed to manage and streamline the use of tools and processes to achieve optimal results with minimal human effort.
This type of automation is often used in complex manufacturing settings to coordinate multiple processes and can be expensive. However, it is very efficient and can help to improve productivity significantly.