This document provides an overview of basic automation system equipment and components. It describes how automation uses technological devices to perform processes with minimal human interference. Common automation means include mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic and hydraulic systems. Pneumatic equipment can include air compressors, air service units, and pneumatic/electropneumatic components. Hydraulic systems may use levers and cylinders. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) receive input signals from sensors and switches, process the signals, and output control signals to devices like relays, contactors, lights, and solenoid valves to automate industrial processes.

1. BASIC AUTOMATION SYSTEM
TYPE & FUNCTIONS OF AUTOMATION SYSTEM EQUIPMENT

2. WHAT IS AUTOMATION
• AUTOMATION IS THE TECHNOLOGY BY WHICH A PROCESS OR PROCEDURE IS
PERFORMED WITH MINIMAL HUMAN INTERFERENCE THROUGH THE USE OF
TECHNOLOGICAL OR MECHANICAL DEVICES.
• AUTOMATION CAN BE ACHIEVED BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT MEANS INCLUDING
MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND COMPUTERS,
PNEUMATICS AND HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS
• THE MAIN BENEFITS OF AUTOMATING PROCESSES IN MANUFACTURING INCLUDE
REDUCED PRODUCTION COST, REDUCED WASTE, IMPROVED QUALITY AND
RELIABILITY, AND DRASTICALLY REDUCED WORKPLACE-RELATED ACCIDENTS.

3. EQUIPMENTS IN PNEUMATIC
• AIR COMPRESSOR
A PNEUMATIC DEVICE THAT CONVERTS POWER (USING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR,
DIESEL, OR GASOLINE ENGINE, ETC.) INTO POTENTIAL ENERGY STORED IN
PRESSURIZED AIR (I.E., COMPRESSED AIR)

4. • AIR SERVICE UNIT (FRL UNIT)
• FILTER - A DEVICE WHICH PROTECT PNEUMATIC DEVICES FROM DAMAGE THAT
WOULD BE CAUSED BY THESE CONTAMINANTS
• REGULATOR - USED IN PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN THE OUTPUT AIR
PRESSURE
• LUBRICATOR - INJECTS AN AEROSOLIZED STREAM OF OIL INTO AN AIR LINE TO
PROVIDE LUBRICATION

5. PNEUMATIC & ELECTROPNEUMATIC
COMPONENTS

7. SIGNAL INPUT

8. SIGNAL PROCESSING

9. SIGNAL OUTPUT

10. COMMAND EXECUTION

11. EQUIPMENT IN HYDRAULIC

12. LEVER

13. CYLINDER

14. EQUIPMENT IN PLC
• WHAT DOES THE TERM PLC MEAN?
PLC IS THE ABBREVIATION FOR
PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER.
IT DESCRIBES A DEVICE THAT
CONTROLS A PROCESS

15. HOW DOES THE PLC GET THE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE PROCESS STATES?
• THE PLC RECEIVES INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS FROM THE SO-CALLED
SIGNAL TRANSMITTERS THAT ARE WIRED TO THE INPUTS OF THE PLC. THESE
SIGNAL TRANSMITTERS CAN BE, FOR EXAMPLE, SENSORS THAT RECOGNIZE
WHETHER A WORK PIECE IS IN A CERTAIN POSITION, OR THEY CAN BE SIMPLE
SWITCHES AND PUSHBUTTONS THAT MAY BE OPEN OR CLOSED. HERE, WE
DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN BREAK CONTACT ELEMENTS THAT ARE CLOSED IF NOT
OPERATED, AND MAKE CONTACT ELEMENTS THAT ARE OPEN IF NOT
ACTIVATED.

16. HOW DOES THE PLC CONTROL THE PROCESS?
• THE PLC CONTROLS THE PROCESS AS FOLLOWS: THROUGH THE PLC
CONNECTIONS CALLED OUTPUTS, SO-CALLED ACTUATORS ARE WIRED WITH A
CONTROL VOLTAGE OF 24V, FOR EXAMPLE. THIS ALLOWS FOR SWITCHING
MOTORS ON AND OFF, OPENING AND CLOSING VALVES, TURNING LAMPS ON
AND OFF.

17. INPUT SIGNAL FOR PLC
• PUSH BUTTON (NO/NC)

18. EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON

19. SENSOR

20. OUTPUT CONTROLLED BY PLC
• RELAY

21. MAGNETIC CONTACTOR

22. INDICATOR LIGHT

23. SOLENOID VALVE