Look Ahead: Remotely interesting monitoring

One roadblock for parts makers to begin implementing Industrial Internet of Things technology is psychological: Implementation sounds like a big, time-consuming undertaking. It can be, of course. 

But a good way to start might be to take about 20 minutes and fire up Smart Attend, an all-in-one manufacturing-facility communication system from Smart Attend Inc. It collects and organizes data for Pareto analysis, illustrates individual manufacturing-goal parameters and provides remote global access to historical production data, automated resource deployment and up to eight individual line inputs for collecting machine data. 

The Smart Attend all-in-one system allows analysis of a facility’s manufacturing processes
from anywhere. Image courtesy of Smart Attend

Setup begins by connecting a PC to the Smart Attend box. Settings can be configured directly over the computer network via the Smart Attend app. Using plug-and-play functionality, initial configuration can be completed in as little as 20 minutes without any additional resources, such as IT personnel. With Smart Attend integrated directly into an existing programmable logic controller, the Smart Connect voltage harmonizer commonizes input voltage to 24v to ensure flexible integration across a range of platforms.

Capabilities include: instant access to production data through a web app and native iOS/Android app; completely automated resource deployment (notifications are relayed to specified departments, depending on the alarm triggered); configurable flash colors, speed and intervals; and hourly, weekly, monthly and annual historical analysis of machine data.

Development of the system began in 2014, according to Smart Attend’s sales and marketing director, Max Preston. “The biggest challenge was to design a PCB unit that was able to withstand harsh manufacturing environments and successfully communicate data wirelessly through equipment.” 

Overheating was an initial issue, overcome by adding numerous heat sinks, he said.

Another major hurtle was translating binary electrical signals into usable and effective machine analytics. “With simple on/off signals running into the Smart Device, the challenge was to make sense of it all and have the correct algorithms in place to find a pattern in the data coming in,” Preston said. “After months of trial and error, we feel like we have perfected the system.”

For more information about Smart Attend Inc., Aurora, Ontario, visit www.smartattend.com or call (866) 210-9630.