INSPIRATION
Programmable logic controllers (PLC) and human-machine interfaces (HMI) display all the data regarding the machine condition and also enable changes in machine settings.But these units require physical presence to capture the relevant information and make the necessary adjustments. This restricts the visibility of the production unit to the shop floor employees. Industrial internet of things (IIoT) through its interconnected sensors, instruments, and other devices connects the top management to the shopfloor enabling fast decision making. This makes IIoT one of the manufacturing trends that streamlines operations, saving money, and improving safety.In combination with AI technology IIoT also allows companies to build digital twins of their production lines. This gives companies information regarding the shopfloor events and the condition of machines.
Viga Lab (2019, Santiago, Chile) is a Chilean startup developing IIoT platforms that connect companies to their machines. The startup’s solution aids to visualize, analyze and act effectively on the performance of the factory. Viga Lab uses their sensors that are compatible with both digital and analog machines, to monitor if machines are operating and at what capacity. The software provides a web platform, a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), and a mobile application to operate and visualize the connected factory. The solution thus enables managers and engineers to view the factory performance remotely from a computer or a smartphone.
Haris Digital (2018, Zalaszentgrót, Hungary) is a Hungarian startup that develops smart sensing solutions for the real-time monitoring of production equipment. The startup provides wireless sensors that use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol to collect and transmit machine data. The sensors capture the movements and vibrations of machines providing insights into the machine condition. The solution uses this machine data to create a real-time monitoring dashboard that keeps top management up-to-date about the manufacturing process. This visibility on operations optimizes processes by analyzing the data and by giving actionable insights.
