Simply accessing monitoring data online, in real time, can help you address underperforming tools and build new ones when needed.
For energy companies, windmills essentially are remotely controlled nodes on a network that generate data that is then used to drive decisions and optimize results.
Whether the data is downloaded locally or from thousands of miles away, monitoring a mold’s activity helps ensure that regular preventive maintenance is being performed and that production targets are being met.
We have all heard of the Internet of Things and Big Data. Simply stated, the Internet of Things refers to the ability of devices to connect to the Internet. Big Data refers to our ability to collect and analyze the data that is generated by these devices and turn it into actionable data. Actionable data can then be used to drive our decisions and optimize our results.
One example of how the Internet of Things and Big Data have been combined to optimize results is illustrated by General Electric in its endeavor to literally power our economy.
GE has developed a system that is used by wind farms to optimize output. Data from sensors located on each windmill are combined with real-time weather conditions and electrical needs information to determine when and how to run each windmill. Using this system has led to efficiency gains of five percent from existing wind farms. In this scenario, each windmill is a node on the network (the power grid) that generates data that is then used to drive decisions and optimize results.
Other operations also are using the Internet of Things and Big Data to reduce labor costs while making better decisions. For example, when tool cribs are used to replenish cutting tools, someone does a “milk-run” and physically counts the number of end mills, taps or drills that are usually stored in each drawer. New items are then ordered based on the tool crib attendant’s opinion of what should be in inventory. At a minimum, systems like this are costly and highly subjective, and frequently lead to tooling shortages.
In many shops today, however, cutting tools are dispensed from a vending machine. Just like the windmills in the previous example, the vending machine becomes a node on a network that automatically places an order to ensure that the shop always has a sufficient amount of tooling available.
These technologies have been applied towards countless industries; however, there has been limited impact within the world of production.
The article comes from China injection mold manufacturer - Mold Best Assurance Company Limited, website is www.mbamoldanddesign.com
