Data is at the heart of the Industrial Internet or
Things (IIoT) and Smart Manufacturing. By setting up suitable platforms to
By collecting and analyzing data, it is possible to gain in-depth, unique
to gain insights into production processes that can lead to
optimization. The most effective setup combines edge and cloud-based
platforms to get the best of both worlds.
Edge and cloud computing technologies may be considered by some
are seen as competing platforms, in fact they are synergistic: by
to use the strengths of both and through intelligent analysis
distributed correctly, companies can increase productivity and
maximize efficiency and reduce costs.
Machines and automated systems on the factory floor
generate huge amounts of time-critical data. This data must be
are analyzed and processed in "real time", because in the world of
automated production processes is the processing time in seconds,
milliseconds or even microseconds. Edge technology works in real time and can
perform data processing using Advanced Analytics (AA) and
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and can thus enable predictive and preventive modeling
to execute.
By processing this data with edge technology, it is
also possible to reduce the number of data points to be processed
centralized, cloud-based locations, resulting in
significant cost savings.
Edge technology can enable seamless data coordination
between the Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) layer.
Edge technology that follows the guidelines of the Edgecross Consortium1
follows, supports multiple network protocols that allow data to be transferred
collected from production machines regardless of which automation equipment supplier
is used to control them. Thus solving the age-old problem,
somewhat helped by the adoption of open networking technologies, from
communication between different automation platforms.
From the Edge to the Cloud
The key to the success of both edge and
cloud-based platforms is to decide which operational or
business-oriented tasks are best suited for which environments. Such as
previously discussed, it is clear that time-critical operational tasks and
production-based analytics better fit real-time processing capacity
of the edge layer. Business drivers, such as continuous improvement analysis,
full life cost measurement, overall performance analysis,
planning and cost management, while still related to production,
are non-time-critical activities and are better placed at the enterprise level
a centralized or cloud-based environment.
We often hear the term "Digital Twin" when
discussing the IIoT and Smart Manufacturing, so where should this fit into our factory topology?
sit? The digital twin in simple terms is a virtual model
of a process, product or service, which then produces the logical equation and
allows for analysis of 'what we should have' with 'what we actually have'
have'. It could actually be either in the cloud or in edge technology,
but in true process terms the ideal model is often found at the enterprise level
created and becomes the logical equation in edge technology
performed. Another way to think about this is that knowledge in the
cloud is being developed and deployed at the edge.
Therefore, by using the
benefits of both edge and cloud computing technologies, optimal
maintain operational efficiency and increase productivity.
Unlimited possibilities
As it always has, technology evolves, certainly
in this area, at a very fast pace. Innovations such as Virtual Reality (VR),
Augmented Reality (AR), natural language understanding and speech recognition, which
not quickly associated with automation, can easily
migrate to the factory floor for further process intensification.
As these innovative opportunities quickly become practical realities
it is important for manufacturers to find the right partner for
solutions. By choosing future-oriented automation specialists
By selecting, such as Mitsubishi Electric, companies can rely on
high-quality technologies and solutions. In this way it is possible to
take advantage of these new technologies as they become available and to become Smart
Effectively implement manufacturing strategies to improve both operations
stimulate as well as optimize the processes.
1 The Edgecross Consortium is a non-profit organization
with a gathering of the world's leading companies, pushing the boundaries of
Crossing FA and IT and supporting open and free manufacturing innovation
without being dependent on a specific supplier.
