Summary
Jacob is taken aback after getting a glimpse of so many aspects he had no clue about and is captivated throughout the conversation. Jacob now has so much more information than he had before. He wonders how, if this information had been available to him before his internship, life might have been a little easier. After this conversation, he now understands how a product gets made, what the role of a factory is, and how machines are deployed in factories to enable production. He also now has a clearer view of various automation elements and how the puzzle fits together and can see the complete picture. However, this is merely an overview, and there are so many aspects and finer details that need to be covered.
This chapter shed light on how we, as human beings, are surrounded by automation while performing all our daily rituals and activities. Moreover, you are now also able to understand the changing manufacturing landscape, how it continues to evolve, and how consumer demands and needs are fueling this change. You were introduced to the elements of a factory, a line, and a machine. Finally, you were taken into the world of automation and introduced to various essential elements, such as hardware and software, comprising PLCs, I/Os, drives, motors, and libraries.
Jacob had a million questions at the start of the conversation, and even after the engaging discussion, he still has millions more. I am sure you, like our young and enthusiastic Jacob, have similar questions in your mind at this point of the book and are looking forward to reading what the father will further expose about the field of automation and manufacturing.
With an understanding of the basics of automation, factories, lines, and machines, we are all set to open a new chapter and look forward to learning so many new and interesting topics.
In the next chapter, we will dwell on specific and interesting control challenges and explain how the manufacturing of everyday products actually overcomes so many control challenges. The first control challenge we take up is in Chapter 2, The Art of Temperature Control.
