[bsder]

> I wonder if its practical to DIY your own production line automation today with Arduino.

Computation is rarely the problem.

It's all about sensors and actuators.

One of the best college projects ever was to make a "drink pouring machine". You have a half-dozen bottles of various alcohols and other liquids, a circular table, and a glass. Now, pour a martini. Now, pour a gimlet. etc.

What a nightmare! The liquids have different viscosities and consequent pour rates. And shutoff is rarely clean. And don't rotate too fast or you will mess up your glass position. It goes on ... and on ... and on.

Everyone who did that project came out ... changed.