PROCESS AUTOMATION
EXTRACTION IN THE ERA OF DATA-DRIVEN AUTOMATION
Arran Morgan, Product Director at Donaldson BOFA, says extraction technology system data is critical to manufacturing automation in sectors including food & beverage and electronics
A
ccording to a 2024 report from MHI (the U.S.-based material handling, logistics and supply chain association), 29% of manufacturers are using some kind of laser robotics and automation, with 54% planning to adopt it in the next five years. So, 2025 will likely see the march of automation – a trend that reflects advances in cyber-physical technologies that integrate physical processes, such as lasering, with computation and networking capabilities. This ‘Industry 4.0’ revolution enables manufacturers to collect, monitor, analyse and enhance production performance in real-time, offering the potential for meaningful gains in productivity and a reduction in waste.
Avoiding unplanned downtime To optimise the value of this investment, every part of the production process needs to be enabled to share data automatically and remotely. This includes fume and dust extraction, which performs a critical function in multiple processes, by capturing emissions that could potentially be harmful to operatives, and by helping to keep equipment free from dust. As such, a correctly configured and fully functioning industrial extraction system plays a vital role in contributing to effective atmosphere management and product quality, while helping to avoid costly unplanned downtime. Canning lines are a good example. Here, the laser technology used to apply marks or coding to cans is known to generate airborne particles with the potential to be harmful to health. These emissions can also settle on laser lenses, which can over time distort the laser beam and degrade the
14 MARCH 2025 | PROCESS & CONTROL mark being made.
This is why companies invest in fume and dust extraction systems, such as those developed by Donaldson BOFA. So how does fume extraction fit into this new era of data-driven automation?
The innovative Pro OS platform has the potential to deliver data-led productivity gains across a wide range of industrial sectors
“ A few years ago, Donaldson BOFA was the
first in the industry to introduce remote extraction system diagnostics and dynamic control through its Intelligent Operating System (iQ). This provided data log downloads from the physical machine.
” In what is thought to be another industry
‘first’, the company has now developed an operating system capable of delivering a two-way, real-time data stream that satisfies the requirements of a fully automated, end- to-end manufacturing control process.
Two-way data sharing This new solution – Pro OS – combines a range of advanced features into a single, powerful operating system. These include a high-resolution colour touchscreen, 20 onboard language options, continuous system pressure and filter condition monitoring and configurable alarms. Critically, Ethernet (RJ45) connectivity delivers two-way
data sharing production-critical fume extraction information across a local area network, enabling the monitoring and control of single or multiple Donaldson BOFA systems from a single centralised location. This operating system provides end users with automated, real-time visibility of filtration performance and, as such, aligns with the vision for Industry 4.0. With this connectivity, operators will have the ability to view and manipulate system-wide data remotely to drive extraction-focused productivity and reduce waste.
This offers the potential not only to monitor performance more effectively, but also to influence productivity through automated functionality, whether for a single production line or in a multi-process, multi-line environment.
Current offering
Pro OS is currently available on two systems serving laser applications, with further releases due later this year. The AD Oracle Pro OS Connect is a mid-sized system designed for laser coding and marking, selective laser melting and sintering, and laser engraving, cutting, and welding, while the AD 1000 Pro OS Connect is ideal for heavy-duty applications. Both are enabled with two-way, real-time data stream capability.
This innovative platform has the potential to deliver data-led productivity gains across a wide range of industrial sectors which invest in fume extraction, including food and beverage, electronics, medical devices, as well as gifts and merchandise.
Donaldson BOFA
www.donaldsonbofa.com
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