INDUSTRY 4.0 / SMART FACTORIES
A
report last year from MHI (the U.S.-based material handling, logistics and supply chain association), stated that 29% of manufacturers are using some kind of laser robotics and automation, with 54% planning to
adopt it in the next five years.
2025 is likely to see continued progress in this march towards automation, reflecting advances in digital 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, by harnessing the power of data.
For automation to be successful, it needs to encompass all the enabling elements that contribute to a production process - and this includes fume and dust extraction. So, to support manufacturers in the drive for enhanced productivity, Donaldson BOFA has developed what is thought to be an industry- first 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. Pro OS combines a range of advanced features into a single, powerful operating system. These include a high-resolution colour touch screen, 20 onboard language options, continuous system pressure monitoring, filter condition information, and multiple configurable alarms.
The result for factories is real-time visibility of fume extraction performance in granular detail. Remote monitoring is facilitated by the Connect streaming module, which can feed real-time information via a local area network to a production dashboard or integrate with a customer cloud-enabled station covering multiple sites.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR INDUSTRY? Investment in portable fume and dust extraction technology helps keep production lines moving and workplace environments safe for people by contributing to effective atmosphere management.
Filtration of particles released in manufacturing processes has a significant role to play in keeping equipment free from dust contamination, thereby helping operators maintain the flow and quality of products. As manufacturing processes become more automated, data for each part of an end-to-end process become ever more valuable in the drive for productivity gains.
Laser technology is a good example. Lasers are critical to multiple processes, whether that’s the labelling and coding of fast-moving consumer goods, marking electronics components, cutting materials for packaging, or providing the energy for powder bed fusion in 3D printing.
For laser lines, Industry 4.0 automation enables the integration of lots of complementary systems to create one holistic solution. This can help boost productivity by bearing down
16 MAY 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
ENABLING INDUSTRY 4.0 FUNCTIONALITY IN FUME AND DUST EXTRACTION
By Arran Morgan, Product and Engineering Director, Donaldson BOFA
on downtime, optimising maintenance through predictive analytics, safeguarding quality and creating the agility to meet changes in demand. Fume extraction technology is an essential element in this architecture.
Now, with Donaldson BOFA’s Industry 4.0 solution, operators can gain access to system-critical extraction data remotely in real time, contributing to visibility of the entire manufacturing process. This offers the potential not only to monitor performance more
effectively but also to enhance productivity through automated functionality. For example, Pro OS also incorporates five configurable relays that can group a number of condition alarms linked to core system components and processes. This allows alerts to be programmed to flag when any thresholds outside normal parameters are exceeded. This could include a warning about a filter nearing saturation, low airflow, or an elevated system operating temperature. Having these alerts both configurable to local manufacturing requirements and visible via two-way data connectivity, removes the need for ‘eyes-on’ physical system monitoring, thereby improving overall efficiency.
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 a range of laser applications, while the AD 1000 Pro OS Connect is ideal for heavy-duty laser applications. Both are enabled with two-way, real-time data stream capability.
Arran Morgan is Product and Engineering Director at Donaldson BOFA, a world leader in portable fume extraction and filtration technology meeting the needs of multiple industry sectors in over 120 countries.
Donaldson BOFA
www.donaldsonbofa.com
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