Have you ever wondered how products like ice cream or water are manufactured? In the realm of industrial automation, there are two main methods: discrete automation and analog automation. While discrete automation involves assembling different components to create a final product, analog automation focuses on treating and blending ingredients to produce the end result.
What is Analog Automation?
Analog automation is a manufacturing process where ingredients or substances are treated and blended together to create a final product. The end product may be countable, like a carton of ice cream or a package of cookies. However, the manufacturing process itself is considered analog automation because of the way the ingredients are processed and blended.
To better understand analog automation, let’s take a look at an example. Consider the production of ice cream. Company A may combine ingredients such as heavy cream, half and half, egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a cooking vessel to create an ice cream base. This base is then transported to Company B, where flavors like vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate are added. Although the ingredients are prepared separately, the final product is treated and blended to create the delicious ice cream we enjoy.
Water Treatment: A Real-Life Example
Another example of analog automation is the water treatment process. In this case, water from different sources, such as reservoirs, lakes, and underground wells, needs to be cleaned and disinfected before it can be used or distributed. The process involves several steps, including straining, rapid mixing, and filtration.
The water goes through a straining system to remove leaves, sticks, trash, and other debris. Next, it undergoes rapid mixing, where chemicals are added to balance the pH and make the particulates in the water stick together. This process creates larger particles called floc. The floc is then pumped into a basin to allow further growth before being transferred to another basin for settling.
Once the floc has settled, the water flows out of the basins and enters a filtration system consisting of gravel, sand, and anthracite coal. These layers of media remove smaller particles and organisms from the water. Finally, the water undergoes a disinfection process, which can involve various methods such as membrane filtration, UV treatment, reverse osmosis, or chlorine addition.
FAQs
Q: How does analog automation differ from discrete automation?
A: Analog automation focuses on treating and blending ingredients or substances to create a final product, while discrete automation involves assembling different components.
Q: Is it easy to start and stop an analog automation process?
A: Starting and stopping an analog automation process requires careful planning and advanced preparation. For example, stopping a water treatment plant involves determining alternative water sources and shutting down various stages of the process.
Q: Can analog automation processes be easily quantified?
A: Unlike discrete automation, where products can be easily measured, analog automation processes like water treatment are more about the treatment and blending of substances rather than specific quantities.
Conclusion
Analog automation plays a vital role in various industries, including food production, water treatment, gas and oil, and chemical manufacturing. By understanding the principles behind analog automation, we gain valuable insights into the intricacies of the manufacturing process. Whether it’s creating delicious ice cream or ensuring clean drinking water, analog automation enables us to produce high-quality products efficiently.
To learn more about automation and enhance your skills in PLC programming, visit Techal. Explore our extensive training material and join the highly sought-after field of Automation and Controls Engineering.
