Answer

Need for automation in manufacturing

Automation is needed to increase productivity, maintain consistent quality, reduce manufacturing time and cost, improve worker safety, and manufacture complex products accurately. It is especially useful for repetitive, hazardous and high-volume operations.

Advantages

1. Higher production rate and productivity.
2. Better and more consistent product quality.
3. Reduced manufacturing time and labour cost per unit.
4. Improved dimensional accuracy and repeatability.
5. Better utilization of machines and materials.
6. Improved safety by removing workers from hazardous operations.
7. Reduced human error and fatigue.
8. Enables manufacture of complex products and integration with CAD/CAM.

Disadvantages

1. High initial investment and installation cost.
2. Skilled personnel are required for programming, operation and maintenance.
3. Maintenance and troubleshooting can be complex.
4. Automation may be uneconomical for low-volume or frequently changing production.
5. Failure of an automated system can interrupt a large part of production.
6. Workers may require retraining and some conventional jobs may be reduced.

Conclusion: Automation is most economical when its productivity, quality and safety benefits justify the initial investment and operating complexity.