Digital transformation in the food
& beverage industry

Connected Industry

Factory communication infrastructure is the gateway to digital transformation. Connected smart devices open new windows to process visibility. Data and analysis allow better and faster decision making. Transparent connectivity encourages new collaboration.

Connected industry makes all of this possible. It unites business and plant level networks and safely connects people, processes and technology.

Industrial ethernet infrastructure

One of the most widely used communication standards nowadays is Ethernet. With industry 4.0 the aim is to have as much connected equipment as possible thus a robust, resilient and safe network infrastructure is needed.

ECN Automation has developed best practices and knowledge for the engineering design and network projects execution with many application references and success cases.

Network architecture

At ECN Automation the creation of network architecture for industrial environments (OT) is made following design guidelines and implementation for the development of converged plantwide Ethernet in plant architecture (CPwE). This guideline allows us to correctly implement different network topologies with the newest tech, implementation risk is reduced considerably since the different architectures shown in the document have been validated and approved by Rockwell Automation collaborating with Cisco. Following these guidelines we ensure that our industrial network architecture be scalable, solid and safe.

IoT Connectivity

IoT connectivity technology provides the network architecture and communication capabilities that IoT devices require to gather, transport and exchange data through the internet and be monitored and controlled remotely.

IoT connectivity consider different network media technologies necessary and concentrated data from different sources:

• Low power wide area network (LPWAN), e.g. Sigfox, LoRa, NB-IoT
• Cellular tech, including 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G
• Short range wireless tech like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and many others
• Satellite tech like VSAT, BGAN and the latest LPWAN based on satellite

Arquitecture

Connected industry scheme

Cyber security (Firewall, DMZ)

Set of procedures and tools implemented to protect the network and information infrastructure generated and processed through computers, servers, mobile devices, networks and electronic systems.

It is important to consider 4 main points which help guarantee the safety of the information:

What you want to protect:

Software Security:

Threats do not always come through physical means, to guarantee software security, it is important to apply security measures related to these environments, for example, using an antivirus software, set rules to allow or deny access to certain internet websites. One of the main risks found is not having updated equipment.

Virtualization

Reliable solution in which it will be possible to allocate more than one application in the same server, with centralized easy administration of its apps, storage and networks.

Benefits:

• Reduce the number of physical equipment on your racks
• Manage your virtual servers easily
• Reduce time out for equipment maintenance
• Get the benefit of high availability on your equipment

Mobility

Current operations dynamics requires information access anywhere at any time. The capacity of communication networks and cyber security give us a reliable platform to do so.

Applying mobility we can access information in data servers, linked devices, CCTV and other in plant information sources anywhere outside the control room, this lets us visualize the operation, access reports, alarms or process indicators through mobile devices.

Augmented Reality

Our solution combines information for mobile users through an interface that overlays data in real time and virtual objects in machines, control panels or processes; allowing users immediate access to relevant machine and process information.

This technology can be applied to visualize process data in real time, visualize technical sheets / plans, videos as well as procedures to carry out a specific task. Thanks to this technology it is possible to digitize and centralize all the documentation of your process to be able to consult it at any time.

Solution architecture

This solution allows the information from the existing control systems in the plant to be connected to a central station where the augmented reality application is running, a WIFI connection enables the contents so that they can be displayed on mobile devices such as tablets and cell phones.

Create & scale industrial AR

Benefits:

• Empowers the operator with the correct information in real time
• Optimizes the use of assets by having the documentation of assets electronically and organized
• Improves productivity by facilitating informed decision making
• Facilitates the training of new staff by creating procedures for maintenance activities

Manufacturing Execution System, MES

State of the art MES platform that will allow you the control and global information management over all your production plants and perfect data integration with ERP.

The MES system is based on the powerful Mapex Business Platform (MapexBP) that integrates the different solution modules in an easy to use and quick to implement environment where valuable information can be shown to make accurate decisions.

Data gathering for production control

• Productivity of machinery, lines or manual positions
• Prep time, production, shut downs, faults and maintenance
• Most common KPI analysis: OEE, availability, efficiency, effectiveness, quality, etc.

Quality control and traceability

Have the quality control and traceability that provides you with all the necessary tools for the improvement of the quality control department and the plant.

• Periodicity and control types configuration, alarm automatic generation
• Component traceability management, raw materials, batches, semi-finished product with label making
• Connection to different equipment like vision systems, scales, vernier caliper, etc
• Raw material reception control
• Advanced information analysis (SPC)
• APPCC management
• Documentation management to eliminate the use of paper
• Non-conformity management
• Guarantee maximum product quality

Where can I apply the MES system in my plant?

MES Systems (Manufacturing Execution System)