FEATURE Machine Safety
technology for data visibility in place. For example, it might lack a unified integrated data management (IDM) tool or computerised maintenance management system (CMMS), and every team might rely on different platforms.
Lending a helping hand Having sensors to gather information on equipment is the first step to incorporating the predictive technique into a maintenance strategy. Recent machines usually come with different options for real-time data acquisition, but legacy equipment can also be retrofitted with inexpensive add-on sensors. In fact, predictive maintenance can be a vital asset when dealing with ageing equipment, which require careful planning when sourcing obsolete spare parts.
However, the impressive amount of dark data in the industry, coupled with the issue of data silos, shows that gathering data is not enough. To predict equipment failure effectively, manufacturers should implement technologies that facilitate real-time data processing and allow all relevant personnel to access the resulting insights.
To combat issues with sharing data among different departments, businesses should prioritise the merging of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). The separate management of these teams due to different skill sets was once logical, but the increased digitalisation of manufacturing processes, including maintenance, means that it is now necessary to bring these areas together. OT collects raw data from PLCs, sensors and other key equipment, whilst IT gives the data meaning by uncovering relevant patterns. However, both equipment and teams must communicate and collaborate proactively. One of the problems with data from industrial equipment is that the older it gets, the less relevant and accurate it becomes. In this sense, edge computing can be a valuable solution. By analysing data as close as possible to the source, rather than sending it all to the cloud, edge computing minimises latency and supports real-time decision making. Edge computing can also assist with connecting more equipment to the IIoT for cybersecurity. When
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data travels back and forth from the cloud, there is an increased risk of it being compromised. Processing data closer to the source reduces this risk, offering the advantages of increased digitalisation without opening up more potential attack surfaces. This does not mean processing or storing data in the cloud should be avoided at all costs, but simply that the two options can go hand in hand to maximise results.
More effective
Despite the issues with dark data, coupled with the need for a cultural shift in manufacturing plants, predictive and preventive maintenance will always prove more effective than reactive maintenance. The reduced downtime, costs and increased efficiency are what manufacturers need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
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Automation | April 2022
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