Automated Systems Key Terms

A signal having the characteristic of being continuous and changing smoothly over a given range, rather than switching suddenly between certain levels.

• Open Signal 
• Closed Signal 
• Digital Signal 
• Analog Signal 

A technique that is used to make a process automatic.

• Automation 
• Efficiency 
• Flow Chart
• Feedback

A company-wide management philosophy for planning, integration, and implementation of automation.

• Open Loop System 
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing  
• Computer Aided Manufacturing  
• Close Loop System 

A system that uses feedback from the output to control the input.

• Open Loop System 
• Closed Loop System 
• Analog Signal 
• Digital Signal 

Using computers to operate and control machines and processes to manufacture a product.

• Computer Aided Manufacturing 
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing 
• Flexible Manufacturing System 
• Interface

A system of discrete states: high or low, on or off, 1 or 0.

• Digital Signal 
• Feedback 
• Analog Singal 
• Binary 

The ability to bring a desired result with the least waste of time, energy, or material.

• Efficiency 
• Feedback 
• Automation 
• Computer Aided Manufacturing 

A conductor wrapped around an iron core. The two ends of the conductor are attached to a power source. When current passes through the conductor, the iron core becomes magnetized.

• Battery
• Fluid Power 
• Electromagnet
• Fuel Cell

Try out a new procedure, idea, or activity.

• Efficiency 
• Automation 
• Flow Chart
• Experimentation 

Information about the output of a system that can be used to make adjustments.

• Feedback
• Analog Signal 
• Close Loop System
• Efficiency