Device Ecosystem at the Edge – Manufacturing Scenario
much more equipment than the set
shown here.
Let us take an example of a Workflow
Modeler of a Smart Factory solution. It
allows users to incorporate rules like these.
For example, #4 is enforced by adding a relay
in the machine start circuit. This relay is
controlled by HMI based on machine status
and user input. Another example is #5 –
minor stoppages are captured by the Edge
software and sent to the server. The server
analyzes the data stream and raises alerts
based on the rules configured by user.
IIoT HMI
The workflow described in the previous
section requires shop floor users to interact
with the system and provide real-time
inputs. How do they interact with an IIoT
system without affecting their productivity?
Also, how do they get the value from an IIoT
system in real-time when they are working
on the shop floor? IIoT HMI is the solution
and an important part of the Edge
Ecosystem. It will have direct connectivity
(wired or wireless) to the Edge Gateway,
allowing it to provide output, even when the
server link is down. It shows real-time
analytics to users. More importantly, users
provide real-time inputs to the system via
HM (e.g. product change entry, downtime
reasons entry, etc.).
Figure 3: Production Equipment Behavior
the link to the server is down. In addition to
network challenges, the speed of
dissemination of actionable output will
necessitate a local loop, rather than going via
the server. Of course, we will never miss
capturing this and using it for machine
learning and analytics at the server level.
Some of the typical conditions could include
capturing actual production and comparing
expected versus actual production, raising
critical alarms which need instant attention,
trends of parameters, etc.
An important characteristic of HMI is its easy
accessibility to the user on the shop floor. So
a mobile or wearable device is preferable.
Asset Condition Monitoring
Asset condition monitoring and predictive /
prescriptive maintenance are an important
part of IIoT offerings. The condition
monitoring module must have the capability
of handling not only production equipment,
Edge Analytics
The Edge Gateway should be capable of
doing some minimum and essential stream
analytics to ensure value to users even when
IIC Journal of Innovation
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