Practical Applications for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The internet is great. It holds the answer to almost every question ever asked, and offers opportunities never before seen. The internet has become a tool as much as a hammer and screwdriver, and industries are using the internet to open possibilities for better efficiency, more information gathering, and better data management. Industrial manufacturing companies are using the internet to further develop business information, and to use cloud-based applications for better business management. Have you heard of the Industrial Internet of things (IIoT)? If not, we’ll describe what it is and show how the IIoT is being used in everyday industries.

What is the Industrial IoT?

The Industrial Internet of Things (abbreviated IIoT) is a term used to describe how controllers, sensors, and other devices can be connected, integrated, and networked together in an industrial environment. The ability to connect all devices allows for remote monitoring with access to programming, more data collection, exchange of information, and analysis of ongoing metrics from multiple sources.

Industrial Internet of Things can offer more productivity, lower cost, and increased efficiency without the need to sacrifice one metric for another. IIoT offers the ability to implement solutions at a quick pace with a low cost of implementation.

What Practical Applications Does IIoT Offer?

The focus of IIoT isn’t on what it is, but on how it is used. The Industrial Internet of Things is meant to increase productivity, offer more worker safety, reduce operational cost, improve product quality, and reduce human intervention in daily operations. The IIoT uses interconnected data-driven control systems, such as robots, computers, HMIs (human machine interfaces) and PLCs (programmable logic controllers) to monitor and adjust daily operations. The goal is to reduce the necessary human activity to operate the systems at optimum performance, but keep systems low cost, providing maximum effectiveness, and flexible to adjust to current and future needs.

Practical Applications of IIoT in Industrial Environments:

1. Remote Access – Industrial settings of the past required people to physically visit and review each machine to determine if the machine was running, how it was performing, and if any changes needed to be made. The IIoT offers a new ability to remotely access machine performance from anywhere. Current and past data can be viewed and analyzed from anywhere, and machine settings can be adjusted as needed to optimize performance. Access can be provided via protocol, Wi-Fi, 4G or cellular connection, or a simple Ethernet connection.
2. Updating HMI Functionality – Your digital applications get frequent updates for new security protocols, software patches, and performance upgrades. Your HMI interfaces will also need similar upgrades to continue offering maximum and optimized performance. With IIoT being utilized your in-house staff can complete many of the functions remotely, and the manufacturer can also update functionality as needed from afar.  
3. Adopting Predictive Maintenance Practices – Machinery will require maintenance, but often the when is left a mystery. IIoT can offer data collection and analysis to determine when machinery has lost performance and requires service to return the performance. Determining when maintenance should occur is just the start. IIoT can also dispense work orders to personnel, offer required part lists based on the service required, and keep track of inventory to ensure parts are in-stock or need to be ordered. In fact, IIoT can offer integration with parts suppliers to order the parts when needed too.
4. Analyze and Optimize Repetitive Motions – Industrial environments that utilize robots and machinery do so to reduce labor and humans completing repetitive motions. Robots require initial programming for the motions to follow, and log files can be reviewed to offer insights into how the motions can be simplified for better performance. IIoT offers the ability to review information via remote access, review camera recordings and livestreams, and make improvements from anywhere. This can translate into better machine performance, more accuracy from the operation, and better product quality.
5. Increase Product Quality – Product quality can be measured and predicted at any point in the process with the correct input. IIoT can take continue values from raw materials through the end products to manage product quality. IIoT can be used to set limits on measured values to alert personnel to potential problems and offer solutions to prevent production problems from reoccurring.
6. Improve Worker Safety and Security – One great benefit of IIoT is that it can monitor data in real-time. Personnel are constantly on the move, which means they can be in harm’s way without even knowing it. The environment can change for the worse, and they could be in danger. Using IIoT as a monitor, it can alert them in real-time that they need to leave the area. It can also measure and record data in the area for comparison to understand how the environment changed. IIoT can also incorporate wearables in the form of watches, patches, complete suits, etc. that can track the location of employees for security purposes in high confidentiality situations. All information can be stored and analyzed through cloud-based solutions.

Conclusion

Cloud-based controls and monitoring with the Industrial Internet of Things is the next evolution in business solutions. All practical solutions mentioned are just the beginning in the transformation of your business. The question is which of the solutions will best fit your business, and enhance your daily operations? Automation Electric and Controls can help navigate the IIoT options with you to ensure your business runs at optimum performance. AEC is a licensed ETL 508A panel building shop, and our work is defined by quality, safety, security, and flexibility.

We can support your business with enclosures, breakers, motors, wiring, relays, contactors, and cloud-based solutions to monitor your software and hardware. We are locally owned and have operated in the Pacific Northwest since 2003. We have provided custom solutions for companies both local and global. When you’re ready for a new custom designed industrial panel, a custom mobile trailer or container, or the next evolution in cloud-based solutions, give us a call at (360) 428-0201 or email us at sales@automationelectric.com.