Unit 3 Industrial Control Systems Assigned Core Text Reading for this Unit: Groover, M. P. (2008), Automation, Production Systems, and ComputerIntegrated Manufacturing, 3rd ed., Chapters 4 and 5. 3.1 Unit Introduction 3.2 Unit Learning Objectives 3.3 Basic Elements of an Automated System 3.4 Advanced Automation Functions 3.5 Levels of Automation 3.6 Process and Discrete Industries 3.7 Continuous Versus Discrete Control 3.8 Computer Process Control 3.9 Unit Review 3.10 Self-Assessment Questions 3.11 Self-Assessment Answers Section 3.1 Unit Introduction Automation is defined as the technology that is applied to accomplish a process or procedure without human assistance. It is characterised by having a programme of instructions and a control system for programme execution. Power is required to drive the programme and its control system. Sensors and actuators (e.g. motors) are also frequently required to allow the control system interact with the process that is being automated. Throughout this unit we investigate technologies that have been developed to automate manufacturing operations. Automation and control technologies hold a considerable place in the larger scheme of the manufacturing system; they are deployed right across the gambit of the manufacturing technologies, and assist and power manufacturing processes and assembly operations. LEARNING ACTIVITY 3.1 The history of the development of automation, when considered from the development of basic mechanical devices in ancient times, to the creation of modern computing systems, has a long and complex history. Investigate various facets of the concept’s history at www.wikipedia.org, keyword: automation END LEARNING ACTIVITY 3.1 We begin this unit with a survey of automation and discuss the basic elements of an automated system: the automated programme of instructions, the control system, and the power used to drive the system and sensors and actuators. We look at large computer integrated systems of automation fo