Rachael Morling recently had the pleasure of attending a fascinating event in central London in which Design Solutions regular contributor, Turck Banner, took to the stage alongside one of its customers, Accenture UK, to discuss the problems faced by companies entering into the world of digitalisation, and how the latest technologies can help manufacturers gain real benefits from the data they produce
Digitalisation, IT/OT, robotics, automation and sustainability are essential terms when it comes to industry and the ever evolving manufacturing sector. However, all these developments can be a little confusing for companies already facing a wide range of challenges, and help may be needed to get the full potential from the solutions available.
Not only is manufacturing today highly competitive, but companies are facing difficulties ranging from the shortage of skilled labour and huge challenges on margins, to ever increasing costs. Added to this, the technology landscape is evolving at a fast rate. So how can manufacturers take advantage of this? How can they get value from Industry 4.0 and pass it on to customers?
Data & digitalisation
Data is fundamental to the future of digitalisation and AI within manufacturing. Our shop floors are filled with data – and the ability to get hold of this data and then be able to utilise it in an effective manner is essential in industry today.
To get a complete picture of what’s going on within the shop floor, multiple data streams are essential. However, getting data from the machine – or multiple machines – can be a challenge. This is a challenge that can be solved by working with a trusted partner capable of delivering a complete solution.
And this is where Turck Banner comes in. After all, the company is not just a hardware provider, it has the ability to get manufacturers the actionable data they require.
As the company states: Turck Banner is redefining industrial connectivity by delivering comprehensive, end-to-end, turnkey solutions that transform raw shop-floor data into actionable insights for enterprise platforms. From initial design through full implementation, the company provide manufacturers with everything needed to seamlessly bridge the gap between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT).
Accenture, meanwhile, works with companies to transform their operations through the use of digital technologies. Thanks to tools ranging from digital twins, IoT and robotics, through cloud solutions and AI, it can help companies reinvent their processes, helping them step further into the world of digitalisation.
Accenture’s core capabilities include digital engineering, product platform modernisation, connected factories, and intelligent asset management, enabling greater efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and new revenue models such as product-as-a-service.
A one-stop-shop
Turck Banner can be seen as a one-stop-shop for data collection, providing everything from sensors to enterprise dashboards. As a result, it has the ability to design, install and integrate systems that enable customers to unlock the full potential of their data.
Through the use of cloud-connected sensors, edge devices and advanced integration capabilities, Turck Banner ensures critical machine and process data flows effortlessly into enterprise systems such as MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Systems), EAM (Enterprise Asset Management), and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
The company offers a holistic approach that includes:
- Hardware selection: Choosing the optimal devices from its extensive IoT portfolio
- Functional design specification (FDS): Collaborating with customers to define requirements and architecture
- Turnkey deployment: Installing hardware, connectivity, and software for a complete solution
- Data integration: Delivering real-time insights to IT platforms using industry-standard protocols such as REST API, MQTT, OPC UA, and other industrial communication standards.
Getting value from data
Getting data from the shop floor and turning it into something that can be used is essential in today’s manufacturing environment. Working with a company like Turck Banner enables, manufacturers to adopt the right technology, optimise their processes, and head into the world of digitalisation.
Learn more: www.turckbanner.co.uk and www.accenture.com/gb-en
More digitalisation stories can be found here: https://designsolutionsmag.co.uk/category/machine-building-frameworks-safety/
This story first appeared in the Dec/Jan issue of Design Solutions.
