Aye, Robot! Meat Processor Welcomes Automation

A deli meat and cheese producer finds that a robotic case packer is not so costly and complex after all, and it can handle automated inspection.

By Anne Marie Mohan, Automation World Contributing Writer

For Dietz & Watson (Dietz & Watson, http://dietzandwatson.com), the first time was the charm when it came to installing a robot at its Philadelphia headquarters and production facility. Dietz & Watson is a 75-year-old, family-owned company that produces more than 400 varieties of deli meat and cheese products sold around the U.S. and the world. Until recently the company had not considered using robotics in any of its four U.S. packaging facilities. But the successful installation of a robotic case packer at its Philadelphia plant has given the company a new perspective on the potential for automation in its operations.

“This is our first robotics installation,” says John Schoenfellinger, vice president of engineering. “We have not implemented robotics in other areas because of the diversity of our product mix. Costs and complexity are always a consideration. [But] this installation has proven that the complexity is no different than with any other production equipment, and the costs are justified by the reduced labor required and the increase in productivity.”

Case packing has been done manually on Dietz & Watson’s sliced deli-meat packaging lines. But when the company invested in a new, 144 pack per minute horizontal form/fill/seal vacuum packaging machine, the VisionPak from CP Packaging, it realized that it would not be possible to position enough people at the end of the machine in the space available to keep up with the VisionPak’s high speed. So the company chose an Osprey Case Packing System from JLS Automation (JLS, http://www.jlsautomation.com) equipped with two IRB 360 FlexPicker robots from ABB (ABB, http://www.abb.com).

One drawback to using an automated system in this application, however, was the degree of inspection required for each pack: On existing lines, operators check for leaking packages, and to ensure labels are printed with barcodes and date codes, before packs are placed into a case.
To address this need, JLS implemented—for the first time—its proprietary Package Integrity Validation Technology (PIVT). It integrates vacuum, vision and several other sensor technologies to detect seal contamination, leaks, pinholes and other issues that lead to loss of package integrity.
“The Osprey case packer they bought was intended to be downstream of their vacuum packaging machine,” says Craig Souser, JLS president/CEO. “So we set up the system to deal with the uneven flow of product [from the intermittent-motion machine] and orientation. That’s inherent with vision-guided robotics. But what really enabled this application was PIVT, because without that package inspection, automated case packing wasn’t viable.”

Installed in late March 2014, the Osprey handles 50 SKUs, featuring four different package weights, packed in four different case sizes. The case-packing machine is surrounded by stainless-steel guarding that, unlike Lexan material, can withstand the cleaning detergent used during washdown operations without discoloring.

Packing in action
Use of a vision-guided robot eliminates all product contact, product orientation and product manipulation, as well as case indexing functions, from the standard case packing system.
During operation, packages exit the intermittent-motion vacuum packaging machine in groups of nine and are spread out for picking on a gapping conveyor. After inspection by the Osprey, the packs are dynamically loaded into the case. Since the case does not stop, but is instead tracked through the system, only one adjustment to the side guide is required during changeover.

As far as changeover for package size, “it only requires recipe selection on the control screen,” Schoenfellinger says. The delta robot’s end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) comprises vacuum cups designed to be flexible enough so that they do not damage the packages.

Since installation, Dietz & Watson has accomplished all of its goals for the new system, says Schoenfellinger. In terms of speed, the system is running at 15-16 machine cycles per minute vs. the 10-12 cycles per minute achieved with manual case packing. This is a 30 percent increase in productivity with just one-third the labor, he says. In terms of accuracy, the machine provides 100 percent repeatability, and Dietz & Watson is seeing consistent quality through package leak detection and label, barcode and code-date detection.

“The system has been much easier to integrate into production lines than we had originally imagined,” Schoenfellinger admits—so much so that Dietz & Watson has purchased a second Osprey for installation on an existing vacuum packaging line. The company also plans investments in automation for other production areas, as well as for a $50 million expansion of its Philadelphia facility, announced in June 2014.

What’s Next for Packaging Machinery Automation?

Contributing Editor Keith Campbell scoured the miles of aisles at the interpack 2014 show in Düsseldorf, Germany, to deliver this insightful view of what might be next in the world of packaging machinery controls and automation.

It wasn’t too many years ago that a debate was still raging among packaging machinery builders and buyers about the value of servo motion control for packaging. A walk through the 20 halls of this year’s interpack made one thing abundantly clear: that debate is over. The widespread acceptance of servos has been driven, and rightly so, by the competitive advantage gained by machine builders and the improved performance enjoyed by end users, with both hopefully taking more dollars to their bottom lines. With this enabling technology now so widespread, one can only wonder what’s next? Where will the next significant increase in competitive advantage and performance come from for packaging?

Who better to ask than the world’s leading automation providers and machine builders exhibiting at interpack? Read on for what I learned, or visit to  pwgo.to/1011 to listen to an 11-minute podcast of this information.

Mathematical modeling
Patrich Marchion is a mechatronics engineer with Swiss machine builder Dividella, which makes Gen 3 machines with high axis counts for the pharmaceutical industry. Marchion believes that the next breakthrough will occur when engineers rely more heavily on mathematical modeling for designing machines. This will be a fundamental transformation of machine design from an art to a science. I have heard a similar idea expressed before from some of the more sophisticated consumer packaged goods companies, those who still rely on their own internal machine design departments for development of machines for their proprietary processes. Performance breakthroughs do come from end users who are not constrained by time and cost concerns when it comes to optimizing the most key machines in their operations. Much more can be done in terms of improving performance if machine designs are subjected to rigorous dynamic modeling to identify resonances and other factors that limit performance. Many designers have made the transition to 3D CADD models, but these are largely static models that help with optimization of part geometry. Taking these static models to dynamic models that embed the complex mathematical relationships of the materials, components, and systems may be a means of achieving break-through performance. There are a lot more opportunities to optimize both the component designs and the drive software to obtain superior performance.

As I mentioned this idea to technology providers, many expressed a belief in dynamic modeling becoming more common in the packaging machinery industry and providing some breakthroughs in performance. They report that only a handful of machine builders are currently taking advantage of mathematical modeling. They also stress the increasing ability of the drives themselves to optimize the machine dynamics. Bosch Packaging was touting a new generation of delta robots that have improved kinematics due to new software. Bosch-Rexroth showed their drives’ ability to detect and suppress vibration. B&R also spoke of suppressing vibration and compensating in real time for the system dynamics. Schneider Electric suggested eliminating the servo motor cogging by using feed-forward and other advanced control loop strategies within the drive. Beckhoff sees a need to model motors, drives, and machines. Both Schneider and Beckhoff stressed advantages to speed. Beckhoff mentioned the need for high precision, high performance synchronization in time frames of 100
nanoseconds, enabling builders to have reaction times in their machines of 60 microseconds. Schneider also sees benefits from being able to change the motion profile of an axis within every cycle of the machine, taking advantage of higher-speed networks and processors. The limiting axis of the machine may change as conditions change, and being able to detect this during runtime and adapt to it could be a game changer. Lief Juergensen of Schneider says that their controllers are able to change a cam profile within one cycle of the Sercos network.

Integration is the key
As machines reach the limits of increasing speed, some believe that more performance improvements will come from system optimization than from machine optimization. Having machines utilize those higher level integration strategies defined early on by OMAC will enable machines to talk with one another and with their human overseers to benefit from improved planning, reduced downtime, and better overall performance of entire packaging legs, cells, or lines. Most of the engineers that I spoke with expressed support for the belief that the next breakthrough will come with the full integration of information from the top floor to the shop floor.
Some of this is in place already. For example, onboard drive diagnostics get passed up from the bottom through software functionality such as that offered by B&R’s System Diagnostic Manager. From the opposite direction, orders get passed down from the top level ERP system to at-line or in-line printers to enable order quantities as small as one. In both cases, integration is the key.

Increasing number of changeovers requires more efficient changeovers. Maurizio Tarozzi of B&R pointed out that with more companies manufacturing for markets in multiple countries, in-line printing offers the opportunity to put country-specific information on the label to satisfy regulatory requirements or to put village-specific information on the package to satisfy marketing needs.
Most engineers mentioned aids to integration such as PackML, Weihenstephan protocol, MTConnect, and SECS/GEM protocol—each of which is meant to solve the same problem for packaging, bottling, machining, and electronic fabrication. Schneider’s Juergensen believes that these standards are all so similar that they should converge, maybe in another dog year. (Isn’t it unfortunate that there is not a neutral arbiter that could cause this to happen in a people year as the computer and cell phone industries seem able to do?)

But beyond tag and protocol standards, engineers are talking about something much greater. Gerd Hoppe of Beckhoff described the work taking place in Europe on Industry 4.0 or the Internet of Things. Perhaps GEN 4 depends upon Industry 4.0, which imagines automatic configuration of smart cities, smart health, and smart manufacturing. This will take a breakthrough in both technology and the cultural divide that often exists between IT and manufacturing engineering. Those predicting this development aren’t talking about just passing streams of data around, but massive use of computer power in interconnected machines. Motors and drives will have electronic nameplates. Machines will describe their own features through an electronic passport, allowing upper level systems to browse lower level systems to figure out what they do and what they are able to do. Following the model of USB devices plugged in to your computer, a machine may identify itself as a flow wrapper and tell the network that it is capable of running at some speed x, that it supports PackML, and that it contains a recipe management system that is structured like “this.” Work on self organizing sensor networks has been underway for some time, and last year a special interest group of ODVA was initiated to move machines in the direction of self-identifying.
Still need to optimize Gen 3
Several companies mentioned that Gen 3 machines are far from being optimized. Size is one area being worked on by many, and this can be a big payoff for end users who are short of space in existing factories and want to avoid paying for square footage in new factories. Smaller size may also mean less mass, less inertia, and less complexity, all of which eventually lead to less cost.
Cabinet-free construction was being discussed at interpack with the Schubert cabinet-free design most fully demonstrating the concept. Using Bosch-Rexroth drives and motors with Festo valves, all mounted directly on the machine and networked together, there was little need for a cabinet as we now know it. One also wonders about the future need for controls engineers or systems integrators, because these configurations will largely be worked out by the technology suppliers. Modularity is also a benefit of cabinet-free design, allowing machine builders to customize machines using standardized modules, reducing production time and variability in the field and increasing support capability. Developing and applying good cable management practices will be an opportunity for many of these designs, especially in environments where dust or moisture may be present. And one final “less is more idea” involves shedding the HMI. One supplier reported that printing presses are being delivered that use only a tablet or smart phone as an HMI. What’s good for the converter may also be good for the packager.
Other ways of reducing machine size are by using fully integrated robotics, building customized arms, and using control vendor kinematics for implementation. Italian machine builder CAMA went a step further, internally developing robotic software that allowed the placement of 12 pickers in a space of 10 square meters with overlapping work envelopes and operating together with complete collision avoidance. Several engineers pointed out that the true integration of robotics and vision as components in machines is still in its infancy. The converse is also true, that robots have not yet fulfilled their capability to do more than move product. Schneider described a pick-process-and-place application where a robot not only picks up a fish and places it into a can, but cuts, slices, and cleans the fish along the way.
CAMA and a couple other suppliers showed machines at interpack that utilized either the Rockwell or Beckhoff versions of the linear motor racetrack. But there were fewer than six such machines on the floor, reminiscent of rotary servo penetration in 1993. The makers of these systems believe that they are a disruptive technology that will play a significant role in Gen 4. They certainly do have potential for significant reduction in the size of machines. Other direct drive servo configurations may yet to be seen. One can only hope that the patent issues surrounding these devices can be resolved in a manner that they become readily available as components for a wide range of applications that will benefit the packaging arena.
As an engineering colleague of mine frequently pointed out, all good ideas eventually evolve into work, for engineers and others. In the area of engineering, several technology providers suggested that better and more integrated design tools will lead to better machines. Dr. Thomas Cord of Lenze discussed the need for mechanical engineering, controls engineering, and HMI middleware tools to cooperate effectively. Machine builders need better ways to manage the technology in the machines and deal with the complexity, especially of the ever-increasing software components. He believes that before we can get to Industry 4.0, we need to optimize the execution of Gen 3 machines. Siemens, which owns Unigraphics, sees the need for the tools to support collaboration and parallel design. Siemens is not just concentrating on the automation tools, but also the mechanical design tools. While in the future there will still be some specialization, the trend must be to a systems engineering or mechatronics engineering approach. For now, products like Rockwell’s RAPID aim to ease the integration burden and software tools are available to help analyze designs. Schneider’s acquisition of Wonderware should provide new opportunities for integration of tools and applications in the machine space.
So what is a Gen 4 machine? I’m not sure that it is clear that any one breakthrough will dominate the transition. But with simultaneous forward movement on all of the topics discussed here, machines are certainly going to change in significant ways. Dynamic modeling of machines; improved advanced control algorithms in drives; faster processors and networks; Industry 4.0 or the Internet of Things; greater integration of machines, robotic arms, and vision; less-is-more modular design; new types of linear motors; and better engineering tools with a mechatronics focus—these will all provide huge opportunities for change and improvement. When someone identifies a clear transition to recognizable Gen 4 machines, let us all know.

Founding of OMAC Packaging Workgroup
During the latter half of the 1990s, with the urging and support of European technology providers, packaging applications using motion control technology began to appear in the U.S. trade press, including this publication. At the 1999 ARC conference, talk was initiated about forming an OMAC working group that would concentrate on packaging. OMAC was then a group focused upon the machine tool industry, led by companies such as General Motors and Boeing. OMAC stood for Open Modular Architecture Control. Later that same year at Pack Expo Las Vegas, a meeting was sponsored by ARC, Packaging World, and Indramat where a panel of engineers from five of the US’s top CPG companies addressed an audience of over 100 people representing packaging machine builders, control suppliers, and other packagers. Participants agreed to meet again in February 2000 at the ARC Automation Strategies Conference, where 50 people representing the same constituents and PMMI agreed to form an OMAC working group focused on the use of motion control in packaging machinery.

A mission, vision, and operating principles document was adopted in March of 2000 at a meeting held in the offices of Packaging World during Manufacturing Week in Chicago. Over 70 people attended the meeting, at which PMMI agreed to endorse and participate in the group. The meeting concluded with the newly-formed OMAC Motion for Packaging Workgroup focused on 4 key areas: Business Benefits; Education; Technical Architecture & Connectivity; and Programming Languages and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). In subsequent years, as the emphasis moved away from bringing motion control awareness to the U.S., the name was changed to the OMAC Packaging Workgroup. The PackML initiative, which is now OPW’s primary focus, grew out of a suggestion brought to the group from Markem.

Source:-http://www.automationworld.com/whats-next-packaging-machinery-automation

Best Autocad Training in Noida Delhi | Cadd Center in Noida | Cadd Softwares Training

About CADD Software: - CADD stands for Computer aided design and drafting, it is software tool used by technical experts to design, create, analyze and optimize components of any system. CADD is widely used in almost every field such as EDA (Electronic design automation), MDA (Mechanical design automation) or CAD (Computer aided drafting) for creating technical drawings. Using CADD software individual can create and design 2D and 3D models. It is extensively used in industries including automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, architectural designs, computer animations and many more.

CADD is one of the important tools used by engineers and designers used in many applications as per the requirements.

About CADD Center: - CADD center is Asia's biggest network of CAD training centers, working since last 26 years and head quartered at Chennai, India. Today CAD center has over 520 franchisees across the globe covering many countries such as Bahrain, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, India, Dubai, Oman, Qatar and many more. CADD center has already trained more than 1 Million trainees working in more than 20 countries.

Courses Provided by CADD Center: - CADD center offers more than 100 courses for students and working professionals in different disciplines and streams. The course duration depends upon the course selected by the trainees. Different courses ranges from foundation to master's level, students can choose the course as per their need and interest.

The courses offered by CADD Center are broadly classified hereunder:-

1.Mechanical CADD
2.Electrical CADD
3.Architectural Design
4.Building Design
5.Structural Design
6.Land Survey and Transportation Management
7.Project planning and management

1.Mechanical CADD: - CAD software is widely used in almost every application for mechanical engineering stream; it is widely used in Automotive, Aerospace, Marine, production, Mechatronics, Thermal engineering, robotics and many more. The courses comprises of 2D-3D drafting and modeling, analysis, detailing and manufacturing. CAD center offers different software's in combinations or alone as per the requirement of the trainee. The various courses are:-

a)Solid Works
b)Creo
c)Ansys
d)NX CAD
e)NX NASTRAN
f)NX CAM
g)Geometric dimensioning and tolerance.

2. Electrical CADD:- CADD center offers courses to electrical engineering students and working professionals, the course provided to create and manage electrical schematics using AUTOCAD Electrical design software.

3.Architectural Design: - This course is used in land development and building design architecture. It includes 2D designing, 3D modeling and analysis. CADD center offers about 50 courses in architectural/building designs at different levels from foundation to master's courses.

4.Building Design: - This course involves land developing and building design. This course give exposure to various tools such as AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, Civil 3D, ANSYS Civil, 3Ds max, STAAD.pro and ArchiCAD as suited to the trainee in civil, architecture/building and interior designing.

The above courses are available at various CADD centre's across the globe, In Noida sector-6 CADD center is running under the umbrella of Sofcon India Private Limited, an NSDC approved training institute working in the field of technical training since more than last two decades. Sofcon India private limited is a pioneer institute in the field of automation training, affiliated and funded by NSDC, Ministry of finance (A Gov. of India Enterprises).


Sofcon India Private Limited provides technical training in various courses with 100% placement assistance, Trainees can choose from a variety of courses comprising from Industrial Automation to Embedded systems as per their need and interest. There are different courses offered by the institute as per the qualification of trainee, from 10th to master's level. The vision of this institute is to bridge the gap between industry and academia.

Source:-http://goarticles.com/article/Cadd-Center-in-Noida-Providing-All-Software-Training-For-All-Btech-Branch-Students/9841924/

Reliance Industries Signs Pact with Mexican Firm PEMEX for Oil and Gas Hunt

MUMBAI: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries (RIL) has entered into a pact with Mexico's national oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) to explore upstream oil and gas business opportunities in that country, the Indian energy conglomerate said on Friday.

The deal will give RILBSE -0.09 % a gateway into Mexico, the 10th-largest crude producer in the world. RIL has faced issues relating to gas pricing for its output from the Krishna-Godavari basin which has also been declining. Therefore, the company is looking at new opportunities including geographical diversification, according to people aware of the strategy.

"RIL's cooperation with Pemex is in line with its growth strategy to explore opportunities to expand its international asset base in regimes having internationally attractive competitive terms. The company hopes to leverage its organisational capabilities and expertise to create long-term value for exploration and production business and for RIL on the whole," the company said in a statement.

"RIL's cooperation with Pemex is in line with its growth strategy to explore opportunities to expand its international asset base in regimes having internationally attractive competitive terms. The company hopes to leverage its organisational capabilities and expertise to create long-term value for exploration and production business and for RIL on the whole," the company said in a statement.

Mexico is in the process of reforming its energy sector and is inviting partners to end the monopoly of Pemex to boost the sector. Prior to this, in September, Pemex had signed a pact with ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of staterun ONGC, to jointly explore opportunities in Mexico.

According to the agreement, RIL and Pemex will assess potential upstream oil and gas business opportunities in Mexico and jointly evaluate value-added opportunities in international markets. The two companies will also share expertise and skills in the relevant areas of the oil and gas industry, including deep-water oil and gas exploration and production.

GM to Offer Connected Car | Automated Driving Technology in 2016

General Motors Co will introduce in two years its first car that can communicate with other vehicles to help avoid accidents and ease traffic congestion, Chief Executive Mary Barra said on Sunday.

In the same time frame, GM also will introduce more advanced technology allowing hands-free driving in some cases, she said.

"I'm convinced customers will embrace (vehicle-to-vehicle) and automated driving technologies for one simple reason: they are the answer to everyday problems that people want solved," she said in a text of a speech delivered at a conference here.

Auto companies, academics and government agencies globally are working to develop cameras, sensors, radar and other technologies that allow vehicles and surrounding infrastructure like stoplights to alert each other about nearby driving conditions.

The industry is rolling out such features as adaptive cruise control, crash-imminent braking and semi-automated, hands-free driving like GM's 'Super Cruise' feature to make roads safer.

However, GM and other automakers have emphasized that even with hands-free driving, drivers will be responsible and need to maintain attention on the road. Meanwhile, Internet search company Google Inc (GOOGL.O) is working to develop fully autonomous vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has made developing connected car technologies a high priority, a view shared in Japan and Europe. And when cars can also talk to surrounding infrastructure, the gains will be exponential, Barra said.

However, she said commercializing a fully automated vehicle may take until the next decade.

Congestion causes urban Americans to travel 5.5 billion more hours and purchase an extra 2.9 billion gallons of fuel each year, she said, citing outside data.

In 2016, GM will sell a 2017 model Cadillac CTS sedan standardly equipped with vehicle-to-vehicle technology. However, the car can only communicate with similarly equipped vehicles and it will take time for the industry to introduce the technology broadly, GM officials said before Barra's speech.

They added that U.S. regulators still need to finalize requirements for these technologies and cyber security protections need to be developed.

Also in 2016, GM will roll out Super Cruise as an option allowing hands-free highway driving at both highway and stop-and-go speeds, as well as lane following, speed control and braking in a new, unidentified 2017 Cadillac model in a segment where the company does not currently compete.

GM did not disclose either feature's cost, or timing on offering them on the No. 1 U.S. automaker's other brands.

GM will introduce the connected CTS sedan and the unnamed Cadillac with the Super Cruise feature in the United States.

In 1956, GM showed the Pontiac Firebird II concept that included a system to work with an electrical wire embedded in the highway to guide the car. Three years later, the rocket-like Cadillac Cyclone concept boasted an autopilot system that steered the car, and radar in front nose cones that warned of a collision and automatically applied the brakes.

Barra said the U.S. Congress can help develop vehicle-to-infrastructure communication with funding in the next federal transportation bill.

She also said GM is joining the University of Michigan and the state of Michigan to develop vehicle-to-infrastructure driving corridors on 120 miles (193 km) of metro Detroit roadways. State officials said Ford Motor Co (F.N) is also part of the effort.

Source:-http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/et-auto/news/auto-technology/GM-to-offer-connected-car-automated-driving-technology-in-2016/articleshow/41996471.cms

Technician Courses For ITI Diploma and 10th 12th Students

Technician Courses (For ITI/Diploma Students):- For the students who have completed their diploma/ITI can grow their career in the field of Automation industry. There are various courses offered for diploma/ITI students so that they can be readily observed in industrial environment. Courses are as follows:-

11.  Site Engineer- Control Panel

22.  Access Controls Installation Technician

33.  CCTV Installation Technician

44. Maintenance Technician- Electrical

55. Electrical Assembly Operator( Min. Qualification Required is 10^th pass)

66.  Wireman Control Panel( Min. Qualification Required is 10^th pass)

The above mentioned courses are technician courses for which Diploma/ITI is required except the last two in which the minimum qualification is 10^th pass only.

The above courses are approved and affiliated with NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation of India) and are widely accepted worldwide.

The course contents and job roles of each course are different and are required in different industrial requirements as per the need. The job description of each technician course with its course details are explained one by one in this article.

1.Site Engineer-Control Panel: - This job role includes installing and commissioning the control panel at customer’s premises. He is responsible for installing and ensuring the operation of control panel on being powered up. He must possess ability to work in high decibel and noisy environments, lifting heavy objects and working for long hours while standing.

Access Controls Installation Technician: - Access Control Installation Technician provides services for access control devices and systems such as point of sale scanners, finger print or iris scan. He is responsible for installing the access control system at the customer’s premises. The individual undertakes site assessment, installs the hardware and integrates the system to meet customer’s requirement. The job requires the individual to have: ability to build interpersonal relationships, patience, listening skills and critical thinking. He must be willing to travel to client premises in order to install equipment at different locations.

CCTV Installation Technician: - CCTV installation Technician provides after sale support services to customers, typically, at their premises. He is responsible for installing the CCTV system in the customer premises. The individual understand the customer and site requirement, installs the camera and integrates the hardware for effective CCTV surveillance system functioning. This job requires the individuals willing to travel to client premises in order to install equipment at different locations.

Maintenance Technician-Electrical: - They are responsible for maintaining the Electrical/ electronic systems of equipment and machinery. They use laid down procedures, and knowledge of the equipment to conduct routine maintenance and organize repairs. They are also involved in control and monitoring devices and occasionally in the manufacture of items that will help in maintenance. This job requires the individual to work independently and be judicious in making decisions pertaining to one’s area of work. He should be result oriented. The individual must be physically fit as he has to maintain unusual working hours.

Electrical Assembly Operator: - Electrical Assembly Operator is responsible for making electrical connections of control panel assembly. The individual at work mounts and installs and connects internal electronic modules devices and components on the control panel. He must have the ability to work in high-decibel noise environment and in a standing position for long hours.

Wireman Control Panel: - Wireman Control Panel reads the wiring diagram and routes the wires and various components within the panel in accordance to the diagram. He is responsible for wiring all components present within the panel as per specifications provided by the design engineering team. The individual must have the ability to work in high-decibel noise environment and in a standing position for long hours.

After Btech Be a Industrial Automation Edge Engineer With Sofcon’S Courses

Desired Knowledge for Automation Engineer's:- Automation engineer should have sound knowledge of working concepts used in automated industry. Automated machinery consists of electronic and electrical components such as sensors, actuators, motors, generators, transformers, converters, relays, timers, contactors, switches, fuses etc. To work in an industrial environment.

individual should understand the following terms as below:-

1.Understanding of basic concepts of Electrical and Electronics engineering
2.Knowledge of wiring and drawings of control panels
3.Understanding the importance of electrical safety
4.Understanding components used in Automated systems
5.Knowledge of PLC and HMI components
6.Understanding fundamentals of motors and generators
7.Understanding basics of soft starters and AC drives

Other than above technical knowledge he should understand some basics such as:-

1.Understanding work flow process of the Industry
2.Understanding daily/weekly tasks
3.Professional skills
4.Maintaining proper gestures and postures during working hours
5.Co-ordination and communication skills
6.Workplace asset managements
7.Reporting to the superior
Technical Terms Frequently used in the field of Automation Engineering

Transducer: - A transducer is a device that converts one form of energy to another form of energy such as pneumatic to electric or vice versa. It may be electrical to mechanical, mechanical to electrical etc.

Sensors: - A sensor is a device or arrangement that converts a physical parameter such as temperature, pressure, relative humidity, flow etc. into an electrical signal. Sensors with transmitters are the field devices placed in the field that actually sense the parameter and send the analog signal to the control hardware. Most widely used sensors in Industries are:

1:Temperature Sensors
•RTD
•Thermocouple

2Flow Meters
•Orifice
•Pitot tube
•Venturimeter
and many more…

Transducers Vs Sensors: - A Sensor is always a Transducer whereas a Transducer may or may not be a Sensor. The reason is Sensor is a part of Transducer as it converts Physical change in electrical energy.

Transmitter: - Transmitter is a device used to amplify and transmit the signal collected from sensors or transducers.
Triac: - It is a semiconductor device having high switching speed, it is used for controlling ac voltages and ac powered devices like ac motors.

Proximity Scanners:- It is used for direct object detection, for precise and determined detection of small objects and detection without suppression.

LVDT (Linear variable differential transducer):- It converts linear displacement into its electrical equivalent. It works on the principle of mutual induction. It mainly consists of 3 parts, core, movable iron slug, primary and secondary coils.

Electrical Switchgears: - There are a number of electrical switchgears available in the market some of them are Push Buttons, Emergency Stop Push button, Toggle Switch, Selector switches etc.
Relay: - A relay is an electrically operated switch. Power applied to its coil generates a magnetic field that operates the switch. The operating voltage of its coil may be different from the load voltage.

Contactor: - It is essentially a large capacity relay specifically designed to control the flow of electrical power to large electrical loads, such as motors, heaters and lights.
There are a number of others terms frequently used in Automation systems such as Terminal blocks, MCB's, ELCB's, Limit switches, Isolating switches, DOL magnetic starters, Star Delta starters, level sensors, pressure transducers, process controllers, PLC's and many more, these will be discussed in further articles.