MACHINE CONTROL FEATURE
simple question, is this HMI software agnostic? Only by working with software that can communicate with hardware from a wide cross-section of vendors can true agility be offered as standard. It is important to avoid choosing a vendor that will also lock you into their hardware. For OEMs looking to offer tailored solutions to customers, this works against that desired flexibility.
THE MODULAR FACTORY The modular factory is an important initiative for the future of manufacturing, it is wide-reaching and affects the entire manufacturing process – HMIs play a vital role in the concept. There is, however, a set of principles that OEMs need to work towards to provide a solution that supports this initiative. For customers looking at a modular
factory, the starting point will always be how easy it is to integrate. All machines must provide all relevant performance and control data in a format that conforms to industry standards. OEMs can build in this functionality using a real-time namespace. This means all data will be easily accessible, organised and populated by all machine modules. Using a common data model, machines
can publish data to the namespace autonomously, making it easier than ever to add new machines without having to do extensive re-configuration. Taking a food and beverage example,
imagine a company with a line filling bottles. That line could be made of five pieces of equipment all from different machine builders. While this isn’t always the case, it is common in the industry. These modular machine pieces can be joined together to create a single line. An OEM utilising a common namespace with the right software choice, combined with the ability for HMIs to display data coming from each modular section, is imperative to the success of this model. Going one step further, imagine
that same line experienced a huge increase in demand. The plant manager can add a second or third line to cope with increased throughput, safe in the knowledge that the software will communicate regardless of how many OEM machines are used in the line. Those onsite will already have an understanding of the information displayed through the HMI, and production can expand without delay.
Whether a production line is growing
in demand, adapting to a new product or just looking to operate more efficiently, visualising data is important at every stage – from the control room to the plant floor and to mobile for remote workers. OEMs have the opportunity to streamline this with their HMI choice, providing a cutting- edge solution that holds them above the competition in this tough sector. The HMI is (physically) a small part of
Andy Graham, solutions manager, SolutionsPT
a factory operation but is one with a big impact on productivity. As the bridge between operator and asset, human and machine, HMI solutions allow those on the factory floor valuable insight into their machines. The opportunity and responsibility to make this process as simple and effective as possible increasingly lies with the OEM. Offering agnostic software, easing the pressure on the design teams and increasing speed to market are all achievable goals through the careful selection of HMI solutions. For OEMs, this can often be the competitive edge that makes them the supplier of choice.
SolutionsPT
www.solutionspt.com
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