Choosing Levels of Automation in Production Systems: Finding Critical and Supportive Factors

Paper in proceeding, 2005

Operation and strategic decision making becomes more complex and dynamic related to the performance of industrial companies. In this light, the choice of a suitable and right automation level becomes critical and is a non-trivial decision making process. The purpose of this paper is to present definitions of manufacturing strategy, operational flexibility and automation levels in manufacturing. Further, this paper discusses linkages between process technology life stages, manufacturing strategy and levels of automation. A framework presenting critical and supportive factors affected by the choice of level of automation both short and long term give the basics for designating responsibilities to different categories of manufacturing managers. The choice of automation levels can be seen from and should be considered within different dimensions: (1) process life cycle stage; (2) fit with manufacturing strategy; and (3) organizational level.