IIC Journal of Innovation 5th Edition | Page 15

Device Ecosystem at the Edge – Manufacturing Scenario - Asset condition monitoring Edge Workflow

This is an often neglected area . But for continued and sustained usage of the system in the long term , it is absolutely essential that the usage is integrated into shop floor standard operating procedure ( SOP ). For this , a smart manufacturing system has to understand shop floor workflow and sync with it .

This necessitates incorporation of multiple behavior models for the above data model . Each behavior model defines behavior of each device type , their interactions with each other and with people .

The data model may expand due to further specialization within a device type based on its behavior : For example , specialization of Production Devices into bulk production and tool room machines .

Furthermore , a Workflow Modeler is needed to model interactions . This is comprised of a rule engine and a set of predefined or custom actions . The Workflow Modeler will manage production schedule , interlocks to control operations flow and user actions , triggers to initiate systemic and extra-systemic messaging , etc . It allows the IIoT system to take contextual decisions in real-time and exercise a required degree of control over the devices , people and their interactions .

Implementation of the workflow modeler will be done in platform tier ( cloud / onpremises ) or Edge or , most likely , in combination .

Let us look at a specific use case from discrete manufacturing .

Manufacturing Use Case

A factory manufacturing auto components has the following devices ( only devices relevant to our discussion are listed ):

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