Blog

ABCO Automation’s Advanced Remote Monitoring for Modern Manufacturing

Written by Scott Silknitter | Jul 31, 2024 4:55:26 PM

Remote monitoring of manufacturing machinery involves using various technologies to oversee and manage the performance and condition of machinery from a distant location. ABCO Automation’s monitoring system, which comes standard on our MPS family of products such as the MPS Palletizer, can be used in manufacturing across multiple industries. For example:

1. Automotive Manufacturing:
    • Predictive Maintenance: An automotive plant uses predictive maintenance to monitor CNC machines, reducing downtime by 20% and saving millions in annual production costs.
    • Energy Management: Monitoring the energy consumption of welding robots leads to a 15% reduction in energy costs.

2. Food and Beverage Industry:

    • Quality Control: A beverage company uses real-time monitoring to maintain the temperature and pressure of their bottling lines, reducing product defects by 10%.
    • Resource Optimization: Monitoring the use of raw materials helps optimize recipes and reduce waste, saving on material costs.

3. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing:

    • Compliance and Quality: Real-time monitoring ensures that manufacturing conditions comply with strict regulatory standards, reducing the risk of costly compliance issues.
    • Process Optimization: Continuous data analysis helps in fine-tuning production processes, leading to a 12% increase in output efficiency.

Here are just some of the technologies involved in ABCO’s Monitoring system which will be available to all our customers very soon:

1. Sensors: Deployed on machinery to collect data such as temperature, vibration, pressure, and more.

2. IoT Hardware: Internet of Things (IoT) devices transmit the sensor data to a central system.

3. Cloud Computing: Stores and processes data, making it accessible from anywhere.

4. Software Platforms: Specialized platforms analyze the data and provide insights, alerts, and reports.

Benefits

  • Real-time Monitoring: Continuous oversight of machinery health and performance.
  • Predictive Maintenance: Analyzing data trends to predict and prevent failures.
  • Increased Efficiency: Identifying inefficiencies and optimizing machine use.
  • Cost Savings: Reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Remote Monitoring and Maintenance

1. Predictive Maintenance:
    • Data Analysis: Sensors on palletizers collect data on machine performance, helping predict potential failures and schedule maintenance proactively.
    • Condition Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of critical components (e.g., motors, gears) to ensure they are operating within optimal parameters.

2. Real-Time Alerts:

    • Automated Notifications: Alerts are sent to operators or maintenance teams if any issues are detected, allowing for immediate action to prevent downtime.
    • Remote Access: Engineers can access the machine’s data remotely to diagnose problems and provide support without being on-site.

3. Performance Optimization:

    • Efficiency Tracking: Monitoring systems track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cycle time, downtime, and throughput, helping identify areas for improvement.
    • Software Updates: Remote updates to the machine’s software ensure it runs the latest features and optimizations.

4. Reduced Diagnostic Time and Costs:

    • ABCO’s monitoring system allows you to reduce the time needed to diagnose the cause of a fault so it can be fixed
    • ABCO’s monitoring system allows you to reduce the travel costs by a certified technician needed to diagnose the cause of a fault by allowing our team remote access to the machine.

Example Benefits for Beverage Company Using Robotic Palletizers

Company Overview: A leading beverage manufacturer implemented robotic palletizers in its packaging line to handle the increasing demand for its products.

Implementation:

  • Robotic Palletizers: Installed ABB IRB 660 robots for high-speed palletizing.
  • Integration: Seamlessly integrated with existing conveyor systems and wrapping machines.
  • Monitoring: Equipped with advanced sensors and connected to a cloud-based monitoring system for real-time performance tracking.

Results:

  • Increased Throughput: Achieved a 30% increase in palletizing speed, allowing the company to meet growing demand.
  • Reduced Downtime: Predictive maintenance reduced unexpected downtime by 25%, ensuring continuous operation.
  • Enhanced Safety: Improved workplace safety by eliminating manual lifting and stacking tasks.

Over the past five decades ABCO Automation has grown into a trusted partner and advisor to our customers by embracing and harnessing the power of new technologies. If you would like to hear more about our monitoring system, please contact us today.

About ABCO Automation
For five decades, ABCO Automation has earned the trust of our customers as a go-to partner for Custom Automation Solutions, Robotic Automation, Contract Manufacturing, Standard Product Solutions and Engineering Services. An employee owned, North Carolina Based corporation, ABCO is driven by improving the profitability and quality of life for our customers and their teams through innovation and technological advancements. For more information, please contact ABCO Automation at media@goabco.com.