In the field of industrial automation, the incorporation of cloud services has already begun changing the way things work- for instance the architecture of IT structures are being affected as move from a fixed client server architecture to a more distributed architecture with local as well as global intelligence is constituted. This is also impacting machine-to-machine M2M communication while using embedded cloud.
Data and location of intelligence- these paradigms seem to change for the better, as it looks, with the introduction of cloud. Now, the usual questions that arise are the benefits. Why would manufacturers want to involve cloud based embedded systems in their assemblies and processes? It is forecasted by experts that the future of cloud networks and embedded systems will be interlinked in the forthcoming days. There will be a marked rise in efficiency, mobility, business productivity and capability because of cloud computing.
The vital transition is expected to be the jump from the isolated embedded world to the new enterprise with the usage of cloud. This will involve better decision-making and also be cost efficient. Every machine parameter needs to be properly considered, analysed post collection. This will help in taking crucial decisions at the blink of an eye. The entire development process remains unchanged but the actual architecture changes. There are however several important points to remember:.
If a real-time communication stack has a compile-time dependency with the soft PLC and the HMI, then scaling to an intelligent system or cloud architecture will be very difficult. These systems replace the repetitive and mechanical tasks mainly performed by one person and the decisions he or she makes in the manufacturing process. This is done through the use of logical programming commands and powerful machinery.
According to different companies such as Sure Controls and Big Sky Engineering and the Encyclopedia Britannica in its article Advantages and disadvantages of automation , organizations implement a system of these characteristics because of the following advantages they provide:. By means of adaptive control and monitoring in different stages and industrial processes, these systems are useful in eliminating human error and thus improve the quality and homogeneity of the products offered.
The performance is not reduced after several hours of continuous work. Greater consistency. Machines and computers work at a constant and continuous pace. Therefore, automated production processes have a longer duration, stability and solidity when managed with an automation system. You may also be interested in: Advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence.
Implementing a new task in a traditional production chain involves hours or days of user training. On the other hand, with an automated system, reprogramming a robot or machine is a simple and fast process that provides greater flexibility in the production process.
More precise information. Automation of data collection improves accuracy and reduces costs. Such increased accuracy enables company managers to make better decisions. It is safer to use robots on production lines with dangerous working conditions for humans.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in with the aim of improving job safety and protecting employees. Cost reduction. Although the initial investment in industrial automation systems might be rather high, implementing this technology will translate into a reduction of data analytics costs. Furthermore, thanks to this automated data analysis, the risk of machine failure and service interruptions is reduced to a minimum. Recommended reading: The best tips to select your Big Data analytics platform.
Improved working conditions. Workers in a factory where an industrial automation system has been implemented work fewer hours and spend their time on high value-added tasks. Increased added value. Automation systems free employees from having to perform tedious and routine functions. When the action of machines and computers frees employees from performing these functions, they can carry out more value-added tasks in other areas of the company that provide greater benefit.
Improved human capacity. The systems that companies implement to automate their services not only perform the tasks that a human being would do, but they are capable of performing functions that exceed the capabilities of a real person. They are better in size, weight, speed and resistance , among other characteristics.
Companies that choose to start an industrial automation process have different types of automation available depending on the different degrees of adoption, the product range and the volume of production. This refers to an automation process in which the robot or machine has been designed to carry out a specific, highly repetitive task and for a very high production volume. These processes are fixed and cannot undergo any changes , but they are very fast, precise, safe and with high production rates.
The benefits that this type of automation brings to the industry are ideal for processes with a high load volume and low work variability. It was not until relatively recently that this technology began to be fitted for settings of industrial automation. Industrial Ethernet is simply Ethernet for industrial applications. It differs from the technology used in our homes and offices in that the messages communicated between devices use deterministic protocols, promoting the high likelihood of a desired outcome e.
Some of the primary advantages of the system over traditional CAN are:. And, despite the strides Industrial Ethernet has made toward improved speed, a few big concerns remain. For industrial automation, the speeds gained through Ethernet have not transferred into improved efficiency when compared to Classic CAN. The minimum frame size for the communication protocol is 80 bytes, with 46 bytes of data. In a sector that relies on transferring 0—8 bytes, the excessive overhead can actually make data transfers less efficient, even with impressive bit rates.
The security of this system has also been met with scrutiny. This means that automated systems may be vulnerable to cyber attacks.
While connections can be secured with routers, bridges and firewalls, the vulnerability of this system is one that the industrial automation sector has not had to face under Classic CAN. And these safety assurances add to the costs associated with Industrial Ethernet.
However, there are other considerations to make when switching to Ethernet. For one, since CAN has been the standard for industrial automation, those looking to embrace the technology may face substantial costs in retrofitting existing systems.
Secondly, there is the extra expense associated with ensuring the security of this new technology.
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