NOW IS THE TIME TO START YOUR IIOT JOURNEY
Greg Hookings, head of business development – IIoT at Stratus Technologies, says enterprises are viewing the opportunity to create more intelligent automation environments by moving towards the ‘Smart Factory’, or IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) as a great way to streamline their factories. Connecting devices throughout the
production process and the supply chain lets manufacturers collect operational data, which, when organised and analysed, grants a new range of powerful capabilities, including real- time process optimisation. But, improving asset performance forces manufacturers to move on from outdated technology, which can raise concerns. Many see the transition to IIoT as painful, as it usually involves incorporating new applications with outdated systems, and that can be a source of anxiety. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Modernising computing platforms is a good
place to start and can ensure that organisations have a simple platform which also offers higher levels of reliability and better manageability. This will create a solid future-ready platform on which to build on your organisation’s IIoT journey. And all journeys start somewhere, right? Many of the issues facing the food &
beverage sector can be tied directly to a company’s level of IIoT adoption. One such issue that remains at the forefront is compliance with the Food Safety and Modernisation Act. According to LNS Research, 60% of food & beverage manufacturers rank this as their key issue along with supply chain issues. In the competitive world of food & beverage production, any change in hygiene standards or safety can cause lasting brand damage, but it doesn’t need to. These issues can be directly addressed by using the data available to manufacturers. This data helps manufacturers address these
issues by automatically meeting the constantly changing regulatory challenges. For example, hazard analysis within food & beverage is currently performed by manually collecting sample lots and sending them to the lab for analysis. What we are likely to see as food & beverage manufacturers advance on the IIoT journey is a more automated, in-line analysis. Samples would be tested at ‘the edge’ on the factory floor in real-time using chemical and spectroscopic analysis, via the IIoT, the data would be made immediately available to centralised quality systems. Few industries are more focused on return
Greg Hookings, head of business development - IIoT at Stratus Technologies
on investment (ROI) than food manufacturing, and this is why we aren’t seeing as much adoption of IIoT as other sectors. So, what is the ROI on the IIoT? The greatest measurable return may be in helping avoid a food quality or safety issue. By helping manufacturers perform real-time quality analysis, the IIoT can protect an enterprise from a recall that could prove catastrophic to brand integrity and reputation. With reported spend on supply chain
operations going down this year, now is exactly the right time to start your IIoT journey. Making compliance issues a thing of the past with regular actionable data coming from the line is what will really set your production facility apart from the competition.
www.stratus.com
ROLLER REPLACEMENT IS NOW A ONE-PERSON JOB
In the past, replacing worn or damaged rollers on a belt conveyor might have involved a two- person team. One to lever the belt off the rollers while the other replaces the damaged roller - not the safest of tasks. Also, there is the matter of lost production while the repair takes place. Now there is a much easier and safer way, thanks to Sparcric G from Brunone. Sparcric G consists of an airbag which is
mounted on a frame the same width as the belt conveyor. Simply locate the frame under the
top belt and inflate the bag using either a manual hand operated pump which is supplied or an optional electric pump. The belt is gently lifted off the roller bed thereby providing easy access to a section of rollers. Once the damaged roller has been replaced, just deflate the bag, and remove it from the roller bed. The entire job can take one person a matter of minutes. The Portable Vacuum Solutions division of
Industrial Blower Services is the UK & Ireland distributor for Brunone.
www.ibsblowers.com
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.aquameter.co
www.aquameter.co.uk
ROBOTS HELP MEET TEST DEMAND
Medtech company Senova relies on Omron’s smart robotics in the production of rapid antibody tests that show immunity within a few minutes. In the fight against the coronavirus, speed and
close co-operation are required. This is why Senova decided to use the robotics expertise of Omron to enhance its production process. In the past few weeks, in conjunction with Omron and Kraus Maschinenbau, Senova has developed and built machines that accelerate and improve the process, enabling more people to be tested more quickly. Senova brought the first rapid Covid-19 antibody
tests to the market in record time. These tests are produced using Omron’s eCobra 600, a medium- sized SCARA robot. This boosted the production volume, so two further eCobra 600 Pros have been integrated into the production line. The cutting and packaging machine was developed and built by Kraus Maschinenbau and is controlled and driven by Omron’s NX controller. The first machine was delivered in mid-May. More lines are planned due to the increase in demand. To meet the high worldwide demand for such
tests, Senova is now producing the kits in large numbers. With the new machine and the Omron robots, 30 to 45 rapid tests can be cut and packaged per minute. Capacity had to be increased rapidly and the addition of extra machines is already planned.
www.omron.com
/ PROCESS&CONTROL
PROCESS & CONTROL | JULY/AUGUST 2020
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