Final answer:
Replacing mechanical components with a PLC improves process automation, making it faster, more cost-effective, and efficient due to programmability, better monitoring, and decreased maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
By replacing mechanical components with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), the automation of a process becomes faster, cheaper, and more efficient. PLCs are used in various industrial and manufacturing processes to control machinery and processes. These electronic systems operate based on custom-written programs, enabling precise control over production, maximizing efficiency, reducing error rates, and offering easier troubleshooting than traditional mechanical systems.
PLCs significantly decrease the turnaround time for changes in production, as updates to the system can often be made with simple software adjustments rather than time-consuming mechanical alterations. Furthermore, PLCs can offer robust data collection capabilities, allowing for improved process monitoring and quality control, leading to a more streamlined operation. The use of PLCs is also generally associated with lower operational costs due to reduced downtime and maintenance requirements.