Automated technology is responsible for many advancements in product building, much like the innovation of the assembly line before it. One of its largest contributions in this field is quality assurance. Let’s look at six of the top reasons as to why that’s the case.
1- Consistency
Perhaps the biggest reason is that automation provides a certain amount of uniformity. Every process is conducted the same way every time, which means the likelihood of an error decreases. Mistakes can still happen, of course, but at a lower rate than a human eye would commit.
2- Speed
A machine running an automated process can work at a significantly faster rate than not only traditional processes but also a person pressing a button or operating a lever. Machines also don’t require breaks and can operate nearly 24 hours a day, with small allotments for maintenance and server reboots.
3- Efficiency
Automation also provides the most efficient processes. A human might have “their own way” of completing a task that achieves similar results but takes longer. A machine, on the other hand, will complete the process in the way it’s been programmed without deviation or improvisation. In a manner of speaking, it simply “does what it’s told” and doesn’t try to “improve” unless it’s been instructed to do so.
4- Learning Capabilities
Much like a human quality assurance agent might notice patterns over time and be able to recognize certain “red flags” that require further investigation, automated tech can use AI to do the same thing. However, it can also do it more quickly and efficiently than a pair of human eyes could. It can also notice things too small to see or seemingly insignificant that a human might gloss over. You can use the automated tech to track patterns and make changes accordingly
5- Increased Safety
Quality assurance is generally not very risky, although in some cases it can be very dangerous or even fatal. However, with a machine handling the work, the risk levels decrease significantly. This is especially important in fields that involve dangerous chemicals, sharp objects, or other potential hazards that could harm a person but not a machine.
6- Does What Humans Can’t
Finally, another major improvement in quality assurance provided by automation is the ability to do things a human could not or, at least, not do as well. For example, the most efficient way to test a product’s quality could involve doing multiple tests at the same time. It would take multiple people (each drawing a salary and being unable to complete other tasks) A sophisticated machine, on the other hand, could perform multiple operations simultaneously, saving the company time and money.
These are just a few ways that automated technology can be used to improve quality assurance for a wide variety of products. Whether it’s metalworking, computer software, woodworking, chemical levels, or a wide variety of other applications, using automation to confirm product quality will almost always be superior to even the most experienced set of human eyes. Indeed, automated technology has revolutionized quality assurance across diverse industries.