The automation of a new product or the construction of a new plant requires a huge initial investment compared to the unit cost of the product. With the advent and continued growth of different types of production lines, however, more accurate estimates based on previous projects can be made. Since this cost can have a large impact on profitability, it is possible to finish automating a process only to discover that there is no economic advantage in doing so. The research and development cost of automating a process is difficult to predict accurately beforehand. Automation is typically best suited to processes that are repeatable, consistent and high volume. Certain tasks would cost more to automate than to perform manually. There are some things that are best left to human assembly and manipulation.
History of automation and effect on environment manual#
Some tasks cannot be easily automated, such as the production or assembly of products with inconsistent component sizes or in tasks where manual dexterity is required. Current technology is unable to automate all desired tasks. It was only after the industrial revolution and common use of electrical energy and mechanisms that manufacturing of products on a large scale became commonplace. Metalworking technology, weaving looms, water-driven grinding mills and the development of steam and gasoline engines all contributed to a greater ability to make various products, but things were still generally made one at a time by craftspeople skilled in various techniques. As time passed, more complex techniques were developed to help people accomplish fabrication and production tasks.
Originally most products were made on an individual as-needed basis if a tool was required it was fashioned by hand and in turn used to make more tools. Human beings have been making things for many thousands of years. The following is from the first chapter of my book: On one hand the cost of production on a per item basis is generally lower, on the other hand it is often said that automation takes jobs from people.
Is automation “good” or “bad”? There are arguments on both sides of this issue.