Automation in equipment is becoming the new standard and necessity for every industry, including the pharmaceutical sector. It helps automate the machine operations, digitalize manual systems, reduces human involvement, and increases accuracy & productivity. It also enables the automatic recording of critical variables and documentation, which is a key regulatory requirement.
Automation is implemented by using automation components. They are designed to perform different actions, such as measuring physical variables and detecting different machine positions. The combination of different automation components and programming logic, enables a designer to make a machine specific to pharma industry requirements.
Some Common Automation Components used in the pharma industry
Some common automation components include but are not limited to the following.
Proximity Sensor
These are components that can detect the presence or absence of an object, both metallic and non-metallic. They work by activating or deactivating internal electronic mechanisms. Typically, there are two types: capacitive and inductive.
Capacitive sensors are used to detect non-metallic objects, while inductive sensors are used to detect metallic objects.
Temperature Sensors
Temperature sensors are used to sense the temperature and convert into appropriate forms. Some temperature sensors are also fitted with signal conditioners that convert into the electrical signal. These signals are then transmitted to different components.
Pressure Sensors
They are used to sense pressure and generate equivalent electrical signals, which are then sent to the controller for controlling different applications.
Another form of pressure sensor is called pressure switch. In contrast to converting into electrical signals, the switch is activated when a specific pressure is detected at the sensing point.
Electric Motors
They convert electric energy into rotary form. Electrical energy energises the internal components, which creates a magnetic field. It then rotates the shaft inside the body.
Valves & Pumps
Valves receive electrical signals to open or close, passing or stopping the passage of fluid through it
A pump is used to transfer liquid or water from one equipment or area to another. They can be controlled by either start/stop mechanisms or by adjusting their speed.
Programmable Logic Controller - PLC
Controllers or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are the brains of automation systems. They receive input from various sensors, such as temperature and pressure, and based on the stored algorithm, they process these values. This, in turn controls the entire machine according to the process requirements.
Human Machine Interface - HMI
HMIs are touch panels that can take inputs from humans by sensing their touch from the screen panel. The input is then transmitted to the controller or PLC indicating different processes or product requirements.
Engineers develop different functionalities of the screen in the form of graphical shapes, designs, and numerical numbers. Touching the respective shape on the screen activates that function, which is effectively translated and transmitted to the controller.
Communication
They are used to establish communication between different automation components, such as PLC and HMI.
Power Supply
Power supplies provide power to automation components. They produce specific DC voltage, since most automation components require DC voltage to activate and operate.
Safety
They are electronic sensors that activate when a hazard is present.
Some tips on selecting automation components for your applications
Although automation components are built-in by the machine manufacturer, and the machine manufacturer itself selects these components. However, there are some cases, when the machine buyer or user has to procure alternate components, due to many reasons, such as t...
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