Industrial automation is the use of control systems, computers, robots, and information technologies to handle industrial processes and machinery with minimal human intervention.
Key Components
- Sensors and Actuators: Gather real-time data like temperature or pressure and perform physical actions like moving parts.
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): Act as the system brain by processing sensor inputs and executing commands.
- Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs): Provide visual software dashboards for human operators to monitor and adjust processes.
- SCADA Systems: Handle large-scale data collection, remote monitoring, and analytical tracking