May 2023 Volume 5

AUTOMATION

Making PLC connection and data collection well documented and easy for plant technology professionals is an ongoing endeavor. Sending a few employees to a training class and expecting that is the end of the story can lead to a slow go or even no go into the Industry 4.0 world. This is a living process that will needmeticulous documentation, continual practice, and careful attention. There are unexpected payoffs to developing a good process for understanding PLC technology at the plant level. When technicians become confident in accessing PLCs, machine downtime can be improved by enhanced troubleshooting capabilities and better information exchange with machine OEMs. Simply taking the apprehension away from the person on the floor will go a long way to seeing faster repair times and greater overall uptime. Training is important, but perhaps more important is continued practice and management of the knowledge gained in training. An easy-to-use system to access process documents, software, and hardware is essential to success. Without these systems and processes, the training is all too often over when the training class ends. A good process following training can help a company to realize payback manyfold the initial training investment. Industry 4.0 brings advantages to a high-level management team and offers the ability to analyze production trends in a way never before possible. It is achievable in a factory with mixed automation platforms with the right care and attention. As a Rockwell Automation System Integrator and specialist in integrating equipment from multiple platforms, Forging Equipment Solutions is happy to help your company ride this wave of next generation manufacturing. Michael O'Toole Forging Equipment Solutions Phone: 330-239-2222 Email: mikeo@forgingusa.com

INNOVATIVE FORGING SOLUTIONS. FORGE ALUMINUM PARTS FASTER. Schuler realizes the production of complex aluminum components in a wide variety of line designs. The use of modern press drives such as servo technology and the KERS system from our subsidiary Farina enables high output with maximum energy savings. Several aluminum forging lines with the drive concepts mentioned are currently under construction in Europe. The networking of the production plant enables the forged parts to be traced, increases productivity as well as plant availability. Schuler bundles further solutions for digitization in the press plant in its Digital Suite.

SCHULER INC. 7145 Commerce Blvd. Canton, MI 48187 Phone: +1 (734) 207-7200 info@schulerinc.com

MORE INFORMATION

www.schulergroup.com/ forging

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2023 41