In today’s smart factories, cyber physical systems monitor physical processes, create a virtual representation of the physical world, and even make decisions. The traditional structure of the automation pyramid and the distinction between information and operations technologies are blurring.
How can a manufacturer ensure its IIoT assembly lines are properly connected? Use control- and field-level automation equipment with interfaces that meet the latest communication standards.
If the factory of the future will run on data, new types of hardware will be needed to collect, route, process and display it. That means more than just new PLCs, but gateways, edge computers, tablets and other hardware.
To get an idea of the importance of sensors to the factory of the future, head to upstate New York to General Electric’s sprawling assembly plant in Schenectady, NY, where the company makes sodium-nickel batteries for cell-phone towers and other applications.
Aegis Software delivers a uniquely adaptive manufacturing execution solution (MES) platform, built on an IIoT backbone, to improve manufacturing speed, control, and visibility across the entire enterprise and throughout the supply chain.
As system designers and integrators navigate through Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), it is clear that they must balance the best solution for the problem and plan for integration with existing infrastructure and processes.
Most manufacturers agree that digital transformation is necessary to remain competitive today and thrive tomorrow. Many large companies have already begun initiatives. But, when asked to quantify the impact of those initiatives on the bottom line, they often come up short.
The rise of many players in manufacturing automation, along with factories' growing adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and automation solutions, present a suitable environment for open-source software.
Milwaukee is home to a variety of leading manufacturers, including A.O. Smith, Briggs & Stratton, GE Healthcare, Harley-Davidson, Johnson Controls, Komatsu Mining, Master Lock, Modine and Rexnord. It's also home to an organization that's at the forefront of Industry 4.0 research.