The Impact of Industrial Automation on Sustainable Manufacturing

Janifha Evangeline

Mukund Shah, CEO, ARAPL (Affordable Robotic & Automation Pvt Ltd.), in an interaction with Industry Outlook, shares his views on the major benefits of incorporating industrial automation. During the conversation, he also discussed how it helps to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing operations and how automation positively and negatively impacted the job market in the manufacturing sector. Mukund is a senior management professional with over four decades of experience in well-known and reputed organizations.

What are some of the major benefits of incorporating industrial automation in sustainable manufacturing processes?

In the coming years, one of the most significant advances in industrial manufacturing will be sustainability. A shift towards more environmentally friendly industries is developing. Here are some of the most significant advantages of industrial automation in making manufacturing processes more sustainable:

Firstly, automation might speed up the completion of production operations, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency. Robots assist in the automation of operations, resulting in reduced material waste. This can optimize the use of resources including energy, water, and raw materials, resulting in less waste and consumption. This can lead to economic savings as well as a lesser environmental imprint. Secondly, automation has the potential to eliminate the demand for human labour, resulting in fewer workplace injuries and diseases.

Lastly, changes in manufacturing needs or new product designs may be easily accommodated by automated systems, offering more flexibility and adaptability to changing market circumstances. Automation grants authenticity and there are fewer chances of errors.

How has industrial automation impacted the efficiency and productivity of manufacturing operations?

Automation is the application of numerous technologies to automate various production processes, such as robots, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. One of the most evident advantages of adopting automation in production is increased manufacturing facility efficiency. The use of systems and automation technologies in the production process will result in major improvements to the process, ultimately improving overall efficiency.

By eliminating variability in the production process, automation can increase product quality. Manufacturers may ensure that their goods satisfy the highest quality requirements by automating operations like assembly and testing. By substituting human labour with machines, automation can assist to lower labour expenses. This has the potential to boost total productivity by allowing producers to create more things in less time. This can assist manufacturers in meeting rising demand for their products without having to recruit more personnel.

What are some examples of sustainable manufacturing practices that have been improved through automation?

Green manufacturing practices assist you in increasing operating efficiency, lowering overhead, and decreasing downtime. They assist you in improving staff morale. They can even help you improve your brand, gain public trust, and get a competitive edge. Automation has had a huge influence on sustainable manufacturing practices, with various examples including using fewer natural resources, lowering waste and emissions, and recycling and reusing materials.

Here are some examples of sustainable manufacturing processes that have been elevated through automation:

Firstly, automation allows for the use of energy-efficient lights and motors, lowering the amount of energy required to run the equipment. Secondly, automated robots aid in the process by using sensors to detect faults and mistakes early in the manufacturing process, lowering the number of defective items produced at the appropriate time. And, lastly automated systems attempt to preserve natural resources by recycling and reusing water in the manufacturing process, as well as using renewable energy sources and implementing carbon capture technology.

What impact has automation had on the use of raw materials and natural resources in manufacturing?

Given that machines only use a limited number of

materials that will be used in production, automation aids in the efficient use of natural and raw materials. Here are some examples of this:

By optimizing the utilization of raw resources, producers have been able to eliminate material waste. Advanced software and machine learning algorithms, for example, can optimize raw material cutting patterns to save waste. This minimizes overall raw material use, which aids in the conservation of natural resources.

Manufacturers have been able to enhance recycling rates and minimize the quantity of garbage sent to landfills thanks to automation. Automated systems, for example, may sort and segregate items for recycling, reducing the quantity of garbage that must be disposed of.

Manufacturing's environmental effect has been reduced thanks to automation, which has reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturers, for example, may employ automated systems to optimize energy use and decrease carbon emissions.

How has automation helped to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing operations?

Robots are smaller and need less energy than most traditional production equipment. They are also significantly cleaner to run since, unlike other equipment, they do not generate pollutants such as fumes or smoke. Robots help to create a clean production environment by minimizing the amount of pollution discharged into the atmosphere. In numerous ways, automation has played a key role in lowering waste and greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing operations. Here are a couple of such examples:

Machines can be configured to run solely during off-peak hours when energy costs are lower, lowering overall energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Automated systems can detect inefficiencies and waste, allowing for targeted process changes that result in less waste and emissions.

Automation has helped to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions in industrial processes by increasing efficiency, optimizing energy consumption, allowing lean manufacturing practices, and assisting with recycling initiatives.

What are some potential drawbacks or challenges associated with the widespread implementation of industrial automation in manufacturing?

Although industrial automation has numerous advantages, it also presents its own set of challenges. The high cost of establishing and maintaining automation systems is a significant barrier. While automation can increase efficiency and productivity, the initial costs can be prohibitive for some businesses, particularly small businesses. Another issue is the scarcity of skilled employees capable of operating and maintaining these devices. Workers must be taught new skills and software to keep up with the changing needs of the industry as automation technology advances.

There are several issues in Industrial Automation at the moment. These include a lack of trained and knowledgeable personnel, variable demand, it has yet to be widely deployed and shifting trends.

How has automation impacted the job market in the manufacturing sector, both positively and negatively?

Automation's influence on the employment market has been both beneficial and harmful. On the plus side, automation has simplified and increased the efficiency of many tasks. It has also opened up new opportunities for people who know how to handle and maintain automated machinery. On the bad side, automation has removed numerous occupations that were formerly performed by humans.

Positive Impact of Automation on Employment:

Contrary to widespread assumption, automation can lead to more job prospects. When companies automate some processes, it allows their staff to focus on more creative and higher-level work. This, in turn, leads to higher work satisfaction and lower turnover.

Negative Impact of Automation on Employment:

Many individuals are concerned about the negative impact of automation on employment. As technology progresses, the potential of machines replacing human labour in numerous areas grows. As businesses seek to cut costs, this could result in mass unemployment and wage decreases. Furthermore, it has the potential to increase inequality by benefiting those who own the machines while leaving the rest of us behind.

What steps can be taken to ensure that industrial automation is implemented in a way that supports sustainable manufacturing practices and benefits society as a whole?

One of the most essential things that society aims for is a clean environment. Countries and companies within them are establishing goals to attain net-zero emissions. Many businesses will need to transform their industrial systems in order to reduce their environmental impact. The trend towards more environmentally friendly industries is developing. Previously, businesses made changes in response to stakeholder demands, environmental concerns, regulatory regulations, or direct financial gain. Change is now required. Here are some ideas that manufacturers could consider for the world's green development.

Waste reduction and renewable energy

Large manufacturers invest in on-site generation, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal pumps. However, depending on the size of your company, you can take small steps toward a more sustainable economy.

New technology and digitalization

The fast speed of digital change has created new opportunities for businesses to construct more sustainable industries. From the workplace to production, new technologies may be used to achieve better and more productive results.

Autonomous manufacturing

Manufacturing's future is autonomous and automated. This implies that manufacturers must prioritize innovation and the optimization of manufacturing techniques and procedures.