Electricity + Control December 2020

INDUSTRY 4.0 + IIOT

At a glance  Cost-effectiveness and ease of programming make cobots suitable for use in large production facilities as well as smaller labs or multi-labs.  In robotics, artificial intelligence can provide the ability to react appropriately to unforeseen and un-programmed situations.  Edge computing has the the capacity to monitor production performance, inform predictive maintenance strategies, and boost production efficiencies.

the outer zone, a speed reduction function slows the robot down. If that person continues on into the area where there is a danger of direct contact with the robot, the robot stops immediately. Once the area is clear, the robot resumes op- eration quickly and automatically. Mitsubishi Electric offers such a solution in its MELFA SafePlus technology. This limits the speed, range of movement or torque of the robot when safety sensors are activated, allowing operators to work safely, close to a moving robot. Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence is another trend impacting on the pharmaceutical sector. In robotics, artificial intelligence can provide the ability to react appropriately to unforeseen and un-programmed situations. AI technology is available in Mitsubishi Electric’s MELIPC edge computing solution which provides a gateway be- tween the plant floor and higher-level systems as well as offering additional functions for monitoring and analysis of data extracted from the shop floor level. Edge computing With the aim of increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by means of digitalisation, there is a high demand for data mining from production. This is real-time data that needs to be acted on, but it is also often sensitive data which needs to be handled securely. Here, edge computing offers a solution, enabling internal evaluation of sensitive recipe, batch and production data in pharmaceutical manufacturing. OEE is also impacted by the efficiency of the production line itself, which is reliant on the condition and operating profile of devices. Edge computing solutions like the MELIPC provide valuable information on the status of wear parts, for example, that can be extracted to enable predictive maintenance which has significant potential to reduce service costs. There are a number of technologies, already available, that will benefit the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, boosting production capabilities and efficiency and enabling operations such as the efficient production of individual medicines. □

For safety, laser scanners can be used to monitor defined zones around industrial robots, allowing for the robots to work alongside human operators without physical protection barriers.

[Source: Optimal Industrial Automation] [Source: Robotronics AG]

Robots can bring greater reliability, consistency and precision to the pharmaceutical laboratory.

For more information visit: eu3a.mitsubishielectric.com

[All images courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. unless otherwise noted.]

5 Electricity + Control DECEMBER 2020