Autonomation

Stopping a machine automatically or without intervention when a defective part has been created.

Comments: Some forms of Autonomation do include human intervention to detect defective parts but the ideal is to have a machine detect a defective part and then correct the problem on its own.

Autonomation devices can be very complex involving sensing equipment, lasers, scales, etc. or it can be as simple as parts not being able to pass through a dimensional gauge. This method typically causes a backing-up of the system which at some point triggers a shut-down switch or alarm to gain operator attention to the problem.