2.5 Retrofitting
Retrofitting is the strategy used to enhance capabilities of machine. By adding sensors, the team can generate insights of a machine or a production process in an indirect manner, improving their initial capabilities.
Jeremy Theocharis
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2.4 Lean Management
Lean Management optimises processes by reducing time spent on non-value-added tasks (unnecessary operations or transport, waiting, overproduction, etc.), causes of poor quality and complications
2.3 Operations Management (MES, ERP, PLM)
As referred in the chapter Automation pyramid, on the layer 3 the software system defined is MES and on layer 4 ERP and PLM. These software systems will be explained in the current section in detail.
2.2.8 Machine certifications
There are several standards of machine certifications. Here we describe the most important ones and how they are differentiated.
2.2.7 Electrical cabinets
Electrical or industrial control panels, electrical cabinets, electrical enclosures or e-racks are boxes where electrical components are stored. These components perform different tasks for monitoring and controlling a machine or a production process.
2.2.6 Fieldbus
PLCs, HMIs and SCADA systems can communicate with each other via fieldbusses.
2.2.5 Human Machine Interface (HMI)
The HMI enables the machine operator to interact with the control loop.
2.2.4 Control loop
Sensor –> PLC –> Actuator –> Sensor is a control loop
2.2.3 Actuators
Actuators transfer the commands of the PLC into the physical world, e.g. through heating/cooling elements or motors.
2.2.2 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
The PLC is the heart of every modern production machine.
2.2.1 Sensors
A sensor is a device that produces an output signal for the purpose of sensing a physical phenomenon.
2.2 Process control
How to control production machines? Programmable Logic Controller, PID controls and more