Pharmaceutical & medical
STREAMLINING LEGACY MACHINE INTEGRATION
D
facilitate the movement of artificial joints must be small enough to fit within a housing built to replicate human limbs. However, these size restrictions should not come as a detriment to the rest of the specification. It is important that these motors still offer a high torque, with the ability to quickly change direction to account for quick or sudden movements. Opting for a coreless or ironless DC motor is preferable for many medical applications, and prosthetics is no exception. Eliminating the iron contained in traditional DC motors significantly reduces the minimum moment of inertia, allowing for rapid acceleration and deceleration rates and cogging-free running. Additional benefits include low noise, a compact design, and low power consumption, particularly at no-load conditions.
Other considerations to make include the choice of commutation. Graphite and precious metal commutation types are available, though the latter is best suited to compact, battery-powered applications. Implementing more sophisticated technology unlocks further benefits, such as prosthetics that can adapt to the individual’s gait. High-power microprocessors and miniature precision sensors working alongside these motors allows for a system that can respond in real-time to patient movement. These offer a more natural walking experience and mean that the prosthetic can react quickly in the case of a stumble or loss of footing. The design and manufacture of prosthetics maintains a challenge, but with the continued need for artificial limbs, it is an area that is important to develop further. By making use of improved prototyping technologies, materials and electronics, manufacturers can offer amputees with a prosthetic experience a touch above the rest.
EMS
www.ems-limited.co.uk Instrumentation Monthly January 2024
riven by the complexity of integrating disparate machinery into digitalized workflows, COPA-DATA has created the
Automation Integration Layer (AIL) for use in manufacturing operations. AIL uses a vertical data integration approach to incorporate the shop floor with IT infrastructure for a more efficient operation compliant with data regulations.
THE CENTRAL HUB FOR ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY
AIL functions as middleware, connecting existing machines and devices within pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. It offers several key functionalities to enable flexible and effective connection. It has wide connectivity, allowing it to be compatible with operational technology equipment (OT), including older automation controllers. AIL also enables the contextualisation of key data by collecting Critical Process Parameters (CPP) and providing aggregated data, such as minimum, maximum and average values at the end of batch phases. The platform can also generate alarms to alert operators when parameters exceed predefined limits. AIL allows operators to access and view their collected data, as well as distributing it to other IT systems when needed for more connected processes.
SIMPLER CONNECTION AND INTEGRATION Integrating legacy machinery into the AIL requires a case-by-case evaluation. Real- time data acquisition is typically straightforward, while collecting historical data may be more challenging due to variations between machines. However, COPA-DATA uses a modular approach with Smart Object components in its software platform, zenon, which allows for the creation of machine integration objects that can be reused for similar machines, streamlining the integration process. AIL is based on the zenon software platform, enabling seamless integration with other automation platforms, including modular production with MTP, the well- established Werum PAS-X, and the zenon Historian 360 for comprehensive data storage and contextualized analytics. By leveraging the functionalities of zenon, manufacturers can access various modules, such as historian, zenon logic for data aggregation and contextualization, recipe management, alarm and audit trail acquisition, and communication interfaces like Werum PAS-X, SAP, and Aspentech, among others. This integration provides significant benefits for plant operations, as it
reduces the implementation effort by utilising ready-to-use functions within a configurable manufacturing automation software platform.
BRIDGING DATA GAPS
The AIL ensures data integrity compliance across all equipment and machinery, including legacy systems. It serves to bridge the data integrity gap in existing machines by employing an integration strategy tailored to each machine's capabilities. Factors such as the availability of an audit trail, user management capabilities, and the ability to acquire critical process parameters (CPPs) enrich the integration approach. By carefully evaluating these aspects, manufacturers determine the best integration approach to meet data integrity requirements and overcome any existing gaps.
In terms of product development and validation processes, AIL is a configurable software platform compliant with GAMP5 CAT.4 guidelines, minimizing the need for extensive scripting and reducing the overall validation effort. Through the platform's standard features, manufacturers can rely on a widely used product that simplifies product development and validation processes. This streamlined approach enhances efficiency and accelerates time-to- market for new products.
By implementing the AIL, manufacturers gain access to valuable data that can drive improvements in various aspects of manufacturing processes. The acquired data enables manufacturers to consider additional factors such as sustainability, efficiency, and waste management. With the ability to analyse and utilise data, manufacturers can optimise operations, enhance throughput, reduce waste and achieve overall process efficiency. By adopting a vertical data integration approach, the AIL facilitates efficient operations while ensuring compliance with data regulations. With COPA-DATA’s AIL, manufacturers can overcome the complexities associated with legacy machinery and work towards a smarter, more connected plant through data-driven decision-making and streamlined processes.
COPA-DATA
www.copadata.com 51
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93
