FEATURE u Industry 4.0
by “the rise in data volumes, computational power and connectivity; …analytics and business intelligence capabilities, new forms of human- machine interfaces [including] augmented reality systems; and improvements in … advanced robotics and 3-D printing.” These applications required the support of Industrial Edge data centres, which are IT systems containing integrated racks, power and cooling, and distributed across a number of geographical locations to enable endpoints on the network. When deployed within industrial manufacturing plants or distribution centres, the application is referred to as the “Industrial Edge.” Given the increasing importance of computing in factory and industrial automation environments, it is inevitable that greater numbers of edge computing systems will be installed in these harsh and remote locations. To achieve the shortest possible ROI and gain both the resilience and speed demanded by AI and other Industry 4.0 technologies, manufacturers must properly measure asset performance, identify any problem areas, and make real-time changes that will improve their operations. This is also where on-premises IT becomes critical and is where the majority of the data capture occurs. Industry 4.0 requires that computing systems are tightly integrated into the manufacturing process, but it also means that resilience and high availability become key design concerns for the accompanying edge infrastructure.
ambient environmental conditions are difficult to control. Challenges can include a wide range of temperature or humidity conditions, water hazards, the presence of dust or other contaminants, and the need to protect computer systems from collisions and vibrations, as well as the obvious need for physical security to guard against unauthorised access. As the second largest exporter of medical devices in Europe, the ability to deploy IT safely in sterile environments is also critical.
DEFINING THE INDUSTRIAL EDGE For industrial operators to capture the benefits of increased automation, they cannot rely on cloud-technology alone. McKinsey states Industry 4.0 is a term referring to the increased digitisation of the manufacturing sector, driven
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BUILDING A RESILIENT INDUSTRIAL EDGE Downtime is the curse of any manufacturing operation and any integrated IT systems cannot afford to add to the risk of lost production. A 2016 study by Aberdeen Group, found that 82 per cent of companies had experienced unplanned downtime in the previous three years, which could cost an average of $260,000 (€224,458) per hour! Industrial Edge systems, therefore, must be built to the highest standards of availability, if necessary, to Tier 3, which promises an uptime of 99.98 per cent or an average of 1.58hr of downtime per year. Given the industrialised environments in which
manufacturing operations take place, and the high level of potential contaminants, attention must be paid to the enclosures, which must remain robust to protect the IT. Space is likely to be at a premium too, so care must be taken to ensure that the system can be deployed in spaces that weren’t designed for IT. Ruggedised IT enclosures can provide optimum
performance in harsh environments. Some come in wall-mounted designs to make the best use of space, leaving the factory floor clear for manufacturing equipment. Careful consideration of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) will
also safeguard against disruptions to power, while lithium-Ion (li-ion) batteries can also provide an energy efficient backup source, which frees up physical space because of their small size. Cooling is also essential. In industrial spaces, self-contained air conditioners can be fitted to ruggedised systems to regulate temperature and humidity levels without incurring the risk of environmental contamination.
Today the growth of IT in industrial automation is driving new innovation that allows manufacturers to introduce new services with greater reliability.
SOFTWARE INCREASES UPTIME To ensure greater levels of resilience, software and security are crucial. Fortunately, Ireland is well placed to benefit from expertise in ICT, and according to a University of Cambridge study, “the presence of world-leading software and ICT industries, and favourable enabling contextual factors add to Ireland’s potential to drive the digitalisation of manufacturing forward.” While physical security systems protect against unauthorised access, management software offers advanced protection from cyber-attack. For many operators, the ability to leverage a platform that brings together disparate systems including edge, building control and industrial process offers many benefits, including end-to-end visibility and real-time insight. Open and interoperable software systems can
leverage AI, data analytics and the cloud to enable real-time monitoring. Should downtime occur, a user can quickly dispatch service personnel to respond to any issues. The beauty of such management software is that it can be used by external service partners to provide support where dedicated technical personnel aren’t located on premises. Managed power services such as these thereby provide increased levels of resilience in smart manufacturing. Today the growth of IT in industrial automation is driving new innovation that allows manufacturers to introduce new products and services far faster and with greater reliability. Ireland itself is uniquely positioned to benefit from digital innovation in manufacturing, and as smart manufacturing increases, there is undoubtedly a need for a resilient Industrial Edge.
Schneider Electric
www.se.com Irish Manufacturing January 2022 17
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