Production System Control Device Configuration via Network Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Production systems, particularly printing systems, face challenges due to the short generation cycles of standard computers, leading to high downtime costs and significant adaptation efforts when new computer generations are introduced, as well as storage and inventory management issues for manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A method to configure a control device for production systems by scanning components, creating a network map, and configuring the control device automatically based on this map, allowing for integration of third-party monitoring software and automatic adaptation to new computer generations without manual adaptation of control software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If standard computers with short generation cycles are used, then computing power and cost-effectiveness are improved, but adaptation effort and downtime increase when new generations are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a control device with generic control software and separate interface adapters for each machine component. This segmentation allows the core control software to remain unchanged while only the peripheral interface adapters need adaptation when computer generations change, significantly reducing overall adaptation effort.
Solution Approach 2:
Interface adapters serve as intermediary components between the control device and machine components. These adapters handle all communication and control signals, allowing the main control software to remain generic and unchanged. When computer generations change, only the interface adapters require modification, not the entire control system.
2Power
If standard computers with short generation cycles are used, then computing power and cost-effectiveness are improved, but system downtime and operational disruption increase during transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The interface adapters are designed with forward compatibility in mind, allowing them to be updated or replaced before actual computer generation changes occur. The generic control software structure enables quick reconfiguration, minimizing the window of system downtime during transitions between computer generations.
3Reliability
If control software is specifically adapted for each production system configuration, then operational reliability is improved, but configuration time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control software is designed as a universal, generic platform that can manage multiple different production system configurations without requiring custom adaptation. The software works with various machine components through standardized interface adapters, eliminating the need for configuration-specific software versions while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating different control software for each configuration, the system uses parameter changes within the generic control software to adapt to different machine setups. Configuration parameters can be adjusted to match specific production systems while the core software architecture remains unchanged, reducing configuration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method to configure a controller for a production system including multiple components that respectively including a client computer connected via data connections with a main computer, the components connected to the data network are scanned to obtain scanned information. A network map is created using the scanned information. The network map can include the main computer, the data connections and the components. The controller can be configured according to specifications of the created network map. Monitoring routines that are specific to the respective components can be executed. Upon the scanning of the components, operating system functions at the client computers are exclusively called so that software modules specifically for the scanning must not be present at the client computers.