Is the automation control major a supporting major?
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In the chemical industry, it’s common to hear people say that the field of automatic control is a supporting discipline. I wonder what others think; perhaps most those working in automatic control hold this view as well. I hope to discuss this with everyone here. Just offering my thoughts to stimulate further discussion. Chemical engineering design is certainly aimed at achieving process objectives, but is the automation field a supporting discipline? I admit it’s not my fault. First of all, I strongly object to this claim, as it tends to make people overlook the importance of self-control skills. As for the importance of the automation control field, 1) in terms of its involvement in the entire design process, it is involved from start to finish. 2. In terms of workload, it is no less demanding than the process engineering field. 3. The degree of involvement of the automation control specialty in the implementation of processes is the most comprehensive and thorough among all specialties other than the process engineering specialty. To carry out effective automation design, an understanding of the process flow is required that is at least on par with that of process engineering specialists. 4. In terms of implementing processes, the automation engineering field, just like the process engineering field, plays the role of an “organizer”. Regarding advanced design concepts from abroad, after performing steady-state balance calculations during the basic design phase, the process engineering field should carry out dynamic balance calculations as well; one of the main purposes of this is to determine and optimize control strategies. In fact, there is often not just one way to implement a manufacturing process; different approaches can lead to significant differences in terms of control strategies and control effectiveness. If the issue of control strategies is not carefully considered at an early stage, and if this step is omitted, then any modifications that need to be made later on, even if defects are identified in the automatic control system, can only be superficial fixes, as it becomes impossible to improve process control at the level of the underlying process principles. Regarding this understanding, it raises another question: Have the theories such as system stability analysis that we learned in school been applied in actual work? Is there a place for it to be used? I’d say most people would give the same answer: it’s useless. Often, the design of a control scheme for a manufacturing process is determined through some qualitative analysis and the application of experience, and it is settled in a hasty manner; there is no certainty about the actual situation. Of course, such schemes generally do not have major problems, but think about it: can a scheme determined in this way truly be considered the optimal one? What about cost-effectiveness? In such a design process, the control engineering field actually has no initiative at all; it merely reacts to what comes its way. Bacon was right: a science becomes a true science only when it can be explained by mathematics. Relying solely on qualitative analysis and experience goes against the principles of science. Chinese people are not lacking in imagination or creativity in science and industry; their greatest mental flaw is a lack of rigor! 5. The field of automation has a very significant impact on the economic efficiency of manufacturing processes; not to mention that the scope of automation design has now expanded to include management aspects, with decisions for the entire plant being made through decision-making systems. Secondly, such a statement can easily lead professionals in self-control fields to relax their standards for themselves, thinking that auxiliary fields are not important and that it’s okay to leave some issues vague. That’s all for now; I hope everyone can have a discussion!
To be honest, automatic control instrumentation is a supporting discipline for the process engineering field; process engineering is the core, while automatic control serves to simplify the production processes.
The automation engineering field is indeed a supporting specialty throughout the entire manufacturing process. However, in modern enterprises, especially in large-scale industries such as chemicals and power generation, the importance of automation engineering becomes increasingly evident. In my opinion, the role of automation engineering is akin to that of a human nervous system – it is extremely vital.
I’d like to share my personal opinion: processes, equipment, electrical systems, and instrumentation are all essential components of a factory, especially in chemical plants. Of course, there is a distinction between what is more important and what is less so, but they all complement each other and are all indispensable! ! Those who work in this field must have realized this; therefore, I believe that the instrumentation field should not be viewed merely as a supporting discipline for manufacturing processes. It is also a very important component. I’ve met many owners of private enterprises who think this field isn’t important, that it’s unimportant and dispensable. In an era of rapid modern development, we refer to such private entrepreneurs as “farmers-entrepreneurs.” Any truly comprehensive enterprise understands that instrumentation in chemical plants functions like eyes – it directly reflects various process parameters and indicators. If it’s not important or not used, then just think: what kind of products will you be able to produce? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? :lol :lol :lol :lol
Here, the field of control engineering is referred to as a general category of specialties. From its name alone, it’s clear that its fundamental role is that of an auxiliary specialty – those who have worked in control engineering for a long time know this well. The work in this field is actually quite demanding; it’s not any less strenuous than work in process engineering. Yet, the tasks we undertake are generally not given much recognition. In the chemical industry, process engineering always holds the top priority. I wonder if anyone has ever done any statistics on this – in factories, those in the highest positions are usually from the field of process engineering. Those who excel in control engineering usually end up in second place. This shows that control engineering occupies a rather delicate position, with limited recognition. In recent years, there have been calls from various quarters to give more importance to control engineering, but nothing concrete has been done. The slogans are certainly inspiring – things like “control engineering is the core.” But it’s all just talk. In the eyes of those in process engineering, we are simply service providers whose role is to help solve the problems they face. Moreover, there are also internal issues that contribute to the lack of recognition for control engineering. For example, many of our standards are varied and inconsistent; it seems there’s a lack of a leader who can guide everyone, with everyone working on their own. Still, I hope that those of us working in control engineering will be practical in our work and do it well, treating ourselves as the masters of our own tasks.
We are a supporting specialty. But with our capabilities, we must do better than the standard process. I believe those who work in automatic control are great people!
Yes, we just need to do our own jobs well. Do you think they can function without those so-called supporting specialties? Hehe
Compared to process engineering, control engineering is a supporting discipline. Indeed, even without control instruments, the process can still be operated and qualified products can still be produced, though it requires much more human and material resources. But if the process engineering field uses this to mock us, we can simply ask them: Without the automation engineering field, would you still be able to sit in a room with air conditioning and heating, comfortably looking at a computer screen? Hurry up and get to the site to open the valve: lol
For modern chemical and petrochemical companies, the role of automatic control is even more important (whether it’s automated production, process safety interlocks, or equipment safety……). Yet, in factories, the old mindset still holds that the production workshop is the most important. At least that’s the case in our factory; in the eyes of the process engineers, instrument control is similar to electrical or mechanical maintenance – it serves as a supporting function. When it comes to career advancement within the company, process engineering always takes precedence over equipment management…… Those working in automatic control have no future prospects……
Process is like God, who created humanity; self-control design is the human brain, through which daily actions are governed. The level of proficiency depends on whether the person’s brain is agile
I believe that control engineering has developed to what it is today not because it is a supporting discipline for manufacturing processes; on the contrary, it has become increasingly important due to its significant role in enhancing the level of modern production processes. Therefore, I think control engineering is very important, and of course, I am glad that I majored in it.
All specialties need to understand each other; otherwise, many problems will arise.
The instrument is the eye of the process, but it is the process that controls the eye. The managers in my factory are all trained in engineering; automation is only given secondary importance. When there are problems with the process, I think of you; but once everything is working properly, it no longer matters whether you’re around or not. It’s because you are in a support specialty
What? How can control systems be considered an auxiliary field????:@ :@ If you’re capable, focus on the manufacturing processes rather than control systems – let’s see how you can implement those processes:D :D The human body is important, but can we really say that the brain and nerves are auxiliary elements? That’s ridiculous~~
I think we’re in a support-oriented field; no matter how many times I say it, the service quality is what matters most. Whatever he says goes
From everyone’s comments, I could truly understand the sadness of those working in the automation industry within modern companies. In our company, those who work with instruments and automation systems are not considered important when everything is running normally; but once a problem occurs, it is the instrument technicians who are sent to the site to find out what’s wrong. In many cases, the cause turns out to be related to the manufacturing process itself – it’s really frustrating. But in my current company, I think as long as I do my job properly, and if the management investigates and finds that it’s not our fault, I believe they will understand that. It’s good too; my understanding of manufacturing processes is getting deeper and deeper. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll know more about these processes than those who specialize in them, hehe. Then one can switch to working in the craft industry.
I finally understand why China remains a backward nation today – it’s because there has always been a lack of such a belief among us: the belief in pursuing the path to becoming a country powered by automation. It’s truly sad and regrettable. Germany and Japan were able to become powerful in a short period of time after World War II by following this path of automation; so why can’t we do the same? Siemens from Germany, Mitsubishi and Omron from Japan have managed to become popular around the world – what about China? Here, on behalf of all the brave people in China, I say: Let’s pursue the path to becoming a nation powered by automation. We must catch up with Germany and keep Japan in check!
The automation control major is by no means a supporting major. In fact, although it is theoretically possible to implement such a process, the disruptions that occur in practice often cause even the most sophisticated calculation processes to fail. The existence of control systems plays a crucial role in improving the overall efficiency of the process as well as in facilitating industrialization. Furthermore, chemical engineers bear significant responsibilities; after all, if there is a problem in a chemical plant, the impact affects everyone in the entire area. The responsibility of an excellent control system is to prevent problems or mitigate them. Taking the Shuangben Plant of Naji Chemical as an example, if their control systems had been more sophisticated (one can look up online for the direct cause of the explosion there), I believe the pollution of the Songhua River would not have occurred.
I also work in an chemical engineering design institute, dealing with automatic control AO
In fact, all specialties are essential; they all constitute integral parts of factory design and construction. It is meaningless to say which one is more important or less important – they all exist with the goal of enabling the factory to produce qualified products effectively. Each specialty simply carries out its tasks within its designated scope of responsibility. Process engineering is the starting point, while instrumentation serves as the finishing element; it is the nervous system of the entire factory.
Treat yourself as the main focus; everything else are auxiliary specialties