PAC K AG I N G AU T O M AT I O N
Is the cloud all it’s cracked up to be? Cloud computing is defined as the storage, management and analysis of data saved remotely on a server. Although invaluable in many instances, is it always the best solution for a production or packaging line? Food Review spoke to Victor Marques, country general manager of Omron Industrial Automation to find out.
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dge computing is an alternative system that enables data storage, applications and analysis to be carried out at the edge of a machine. Lines and devices are monitored and real-time sensors and data at the machine level can be processed in microseconds. A machine’s condition can be monitored in real time, but data volume is limited. Data processing at the edge enables an immediate response. Industrial manufacturers need to think carefully before deciding which of these two options will be the most effective. They must consider solutions involving artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Although AI offers some great benefits, care needs to be exercised before incorporating it into industrial applications.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE? Companies often can’t identify the problem they want to solve. The solution is to start collecting and cleaning data before even thinking about introducing AI. You can then obtain information from the data and start visualising it in a smart way. A lot of existing data isn’t suitable for analysis. If you’re thinking about AI, you must think in a broader sense about data science - what and how much data you need. You can apply AI at various levels, depending on the problem you want to solve. When comparing the performance of two factories, gather data and put it into the cloud (inside or outside your enterprise). You can then compare,
analyse and draw conclusions. If you want to compare a large amount of data from 20 factories, this is where AI in the cloud can play a key role. If you need an immediate reaction on a bottling line to avoid downtime, you should consider a solution with AI at the edge.
ACCESS AND MAKE THE BEST USE OF YOUR DATA Machines within a factory are a potential source of valuable data. How can a manufacturing plant make the most effective use of this data, especially when introducing AI to enhance its capabilities? The key questions that need to be addressed are: • Data - Do I have enough? • Infrastructure - How much will the set up cost? • Outcomes - What problem do I need to solve and what increase in efficiency can be achieved using cloud or edge computing? Some manufacturing facilities might decide to send all data to the cloud. Large IT companies are promoting the cloud as a solution to everything. It isn’t a complete panacea however, as it doesn’t show or respond in real time to what is happening in the machines. Omron has been developing tools to help the human brain cope with the challenges of what is happening inside the machines – along with details of downwards analysis and pattern recognition. Edge computing within an industrial manufacturing environment looks at the actual process within the machine. Real-
time data processing at the edge enables an immediate response to an abnormal situation in a process. With AI at the edge, manufacturers can control complexity and security. With edge computing, data and computing resources are located close to the machines. This enables users to gain real-time information about the efficiency of different aspects of their industrial automation system. This means they can access intelligence within the machine, which in turn enables a deep analysis to be carried out. This information is scalable and measurable and enables the factory to achieve a significant increase in its overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Manufacturing companies are starting to recognise that AI can make a major contribution to their profitability by increasing their OEE, leading to greater productivity and lower costs. Omron’s AI Controller has some preprogrammed tools that can help with simple cases of preventative maintenance. Using advanced mathematics, it can detect a problem or a deterioration in a part of the equipment before a machine breaks down. With complicated machines and problems, which involve detailed use of AI, you will need specialists with advanced skills to extract maximum value from this new technology. •
Omron – www.industrial.omron.co.za
May 2019 | Food Review
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