HARTING recently challenged students from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Embedded Intelligence at Loughborough University to investigate practical application solutions where its MICA innovative open platform based ruggedised industrial edge computing device could be applied to the benefit of UK manufacturing. Simple integration within existing established production processes was the target, based on the concept of machine predictive maintenance. The objective was to achieve immediate productivity improvements and return on investment, thus satisfying the increasing trend for Integrated Industry 4.0 implementation on the factory floor.
One such proposal was suggested for volume manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry: in particular, those companies manufacturing tablets using automated presses and punch tools.
Data can be managed and processed through HARTING’s MICA edge computing device, which can automatically alert the machine operator that maintenance is needed to replace a particular die-set before it creates a catastrophic tool failure condition and breakdown in the production line.
