FOCUS Operations & efficiency


This article, from SiTime, explores key trends in factory automation and robotics, focusing on precision timing solutions to transform manufacturing across industries


A


utomotive assembly line robotics must install parts within a millimetre of precision, even minor timing errors can lead to


misalignments, defects, costly rework and production delays. Robots in factory settings can endure shock, vibration and temperature  Traditionally, factory automation has relied on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)  “loose”) timing, enabling sequential processes,  Today’s increased automation demands


more precise synchronisation across systems,  achieve faster production speeds with fewer errors, leading to reduced operational costs through energy and material savings. Smart automation improves product quality by enabling real-time defect detection, reducing waste and enhancing customer satisfaction.  and quality control, making defect tracing  These emerging strategies are trending,  robotics: 1. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and Precision-Time Protocol (PTP) (IEEE 1588) enhances coordination between machines and systems Oscillators are typically the preferred solution for timing in robotic systems,  timekeeping is crucial for precise movement. TSN and PTP provide tighter synchronisation,  TSN, developed by the IEEE 802.1 working group, enhances Ethernet with time  low-latency, deterministic networking in industrial applications. PTP, standardised as IEEE 1588, synchronises clocks across networks with sub-microsecond accuracy, ensuring coordinated system operation and   environments.


2. Smart Machine Vision and AI for Defect Detection AI-powered image processing enables real-time defect detection, reducing faulty


32 July/August 2025 | Automation


SYNCHRONISATION BOOSTS EFFICIENCY To thrive in an increasingly digital


industrial landscape, manufacturers must embrace precision timing, AI-driven automation and real-time monitoring


SYNCHRONISATION BOOSTS EFFICIENCY


 identify surface and structural defects for a more thorough inspection. Automated defect sorting systems streamline quality assurance,  Precision timing devices synchronise high-speed cameras and processing systems, ensuring accurate image capture and analysis. This minimises latency, enhances inspection accuracy and optimises automated sorting for  3. Industrial IoT (IIoT) for Real-Time Monitoring


Smart sensors track key parameters like temperature, pressure, and vibration, helping to prevent equipment failures by detecting irregularities early. Edge computing processes data instantly on-site, enabling quick decision-making. Cloud integration allows remote monitoring and provides predictive analytics, enabling proactive maintenance and performance optimisation. Precision timing ensures accurate


synchronisation of IIoT sensors, edge computing and cloud systems, enabling real- time data processing and accurate anomaly detection, enhancing predictive analytics and system reliability.


4. Robotics and Automation for speed and accuracy AI-enhanced robotic arms improve


precision in assembly, welding, and inspection, ensuring higher quality and consistency. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) optimise material transport and minimise errors, improving logistics 


work safely alongside humans, boosting productivity and enabling seamless human- machine collaboration. Precise timing devices synchronise robotic


arms, AGVs and cobots, ensuring seamless coordination, minimising latency, and    advantage in timing to address automation’s emerging trends across the board. Quartz devices are typically larger than their  more susceptible to mechanical g-forces and increasing sensitivity to shock and  in material strength, mass and construction mean that quartz timing devices are more likely to crack or break under shock compared to silicon devices. In addition, quartz-based timing devices are more sensitive to temperature   making them more stable across a wider temperature range.


As automation advances, leveraging  integrating cutting-edge technologies  competitiveness. SiTime’s advanced timing solutions will shape the future of manufacturing.


SiTime www.sitime.com


automationmagazine.co.uk


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