Hi Rod - Thanks for letting us know about that. One thing that might be useful to know, is that the archive for the Design News Radio Shows is that they are all available for viewing at your convenience on-demand for a full year from the broadcast day. So, you can go back and listen to any segment at your convenience when you have a moment.
Video and computer animations on operator panels is definitely an interesting use of technology to provide training tools for operators. Will be interesting to see how this develops.
In a survey we just completed for the October issue, respondents thought that appealing to younger operators, training issues and the simplicity of multi-touch would be significant benefits going forward. Seems like the challenge is how to adapt the technology for use in the factory is a significant challenge.
@Al: another important area that will impact operator interfaces and HMI is video. I believe we will see more use of video in the future (e.g., for monitoring, live conferencing with an expert.)
@Joyce: Touch screens have been in use on operator panels for quite some time. The iPad interface will need to be "refined" for plants (think of an operator with thick gloves pinching and expanding an image)!
On the manufacturing floor, it will be interesting to see how multi-touch operator interfaces and "digital dashboards" impact the day to day operation of machinery. Seems like a potential major impact that could be nearly universal given the role of HMIs in operations?
@Al: yes, I agree, it will take some time for adoption of cloud in manufacturing apps. Most large companies focused in the IT space (e.g., IBM, Microsoft, HP) are investing heavily in building out the cloud infrastructure
Im sure we'll all get more comfortable with the cloud as we use it more. Definite advantages to the technology but I think it will take time for continuing adoption and moving ahead.
Good question, ROI is key to a manufacturing plant implementing a change. In the case of energy, ROI in dollars is usually easy to construct, in the case of security, it may take a breach to send the wake-up call
The biggest challenges I've experienced are with executives' understanding of the value of change and practitioners' management of change. What factors do you include in ROI and change management?
@Joyce: Difficult to answer how secure manufacturing plants / networks are from external threats since there are no standard practices related to info security in plants today.
@Joyce: Large end users are very interested in energy monitoring and optimization for saving cost and supporting the environment. For e.g., in cement production, approx 20% of the cost is in electrical energy.
I would think that large end users would be an important catalyst for developments on the energy optimization fronts. It seems they have the most to gain, versus machine builders for example, and would be key to moving these developments ahead.
@Al: there is significant reservation today about storing sensitive information in the cloud; however, with greater confidence in cloud security and providers of cloud infrastructure, this concern will be alleviated in the future.
@Joyce. You asked about what is being done on common global stds and regulations. We are working with organizations such as the IEC to develop global standards and regulations. The IEC has done a good job at reaching out to emerging countries to join and help with the development of these standards.
Another question on cloud computing is whether customers are wary of putting information into the cloud? Seems like there must be an overlap with security issues?
One question about cloud computing is whether part of its impact will be the simplicity of collecting large amounts of data, versus other more conventional approached?
I think plug and play will become more important in flexible plants where rapid changeovers are required. Global standards related to Ethernet and associated software will help.
You are welcome, Al. In the discussion today, we only highlighted a subset of the technology landscape impacting manufacturing. There are other areas such as nanotechnology that we did not discuss.
There was a comment about the role of standards. What do you think of the comment that parts of the process ought to be "plug and play"? How far do you think that idea will extend?
Thanks, Sujeet, for a look at important technologies that will impact digital manufacturing going forward: cloud computing, security, mobility and energy optimization strategies.
Thanks Sujeet and Al, very interesting chat. Adding on to CSRivera's comments, a question: What is being done to create common global standards related to manufacturing? Different companies come up with different regulations and that would be a roadblock.
By now everyone understands that not only is change a given, but that it is also vital in our business.
No one said that change would be easy or painless, but with forethought and realistic planning, change can be more manageable.
In my factory, I have dozens of sophisticated systems from multiple vendors. I have seen few cases where our vendors introduced next generation systems with minimal disruptions to our operations (data systems, compatibility, training, etc.). The situation is especially disruptive when changing vendors.
A more perfect factory would be one where vendors and OEMs embraced geater standardization. Such standardization would allow a "plug and play" ability within the factory systems. Computers and the internet are an example of the benefits that derive from standardization.
I know that this is a global vision. I am hoping that a greater global awareness will drive this vision.
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