Edge Configuration for Manufacturing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies in manufacturing domains face challenges with SaaS solutions due to network stability issues and real-time constraints, requiring a stable and highly available computing environment, which is not reliably provided by cloud-based systems. Additionally, configuring edge components for diverse manufacturing systems is complex, especially with different layouts, operational requirements, and software compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A modeling language is developed to allow users to configure edge systems specifically for manufacturing systems, enabling the generation of customer-specific deployments and automatic software configuration, which includes features for modeling machines, software requirements, and operational constraints, allowing edge systems to interact with manufacturing systems in real-time while communicating with remote computing environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If SaaS solutions are used for manufacturing systems, then outsourcing of computing infrastructure management is achieved, but network stability and real-time performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into edge computing components deployed locally at customer premises and remote cloud components. The edge components handle real-time manufacturing operations locally, while the cloud handles non-critical tasks, thus maintaining ease of outsourcing while ensuring real-time performance through local processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If edge components are configured for diverse manufacturing systems, then customization for different layouts and requirements is achieved, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A universal configuration language is designed that can model diverse manufacturing systems through a common set of constructs (machines, software, layouts, constraints). This universal approach enables customization for different customer requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized modeling patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration system allows customization through parameter changes in the modeling language rather than structural changes. Customers can modify system behavior by changing parameters such as machine layouts, software versions, and operational constraints within the same modeling framework, simplifying the configuration process.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method receiving a specification of a manufacturing system that is generated using a modeling language. The modeling language allows a layout of machines to be specified. Available software systems from a software provider are retrieved and the specification is analyzed to determine applicable software systems for the manufacturing system. The method generates a configuration based on the analysis of the layout of the machines for the manufacturing system. The configuration specifies instances of software systems to be installed on the machines and an edge system between the manufacturing system and a remote computing environment. The instances of the software systems are deployed on the edge system and the machines and the edge system orchestrates operations on the machines operating in the manufacturing system in real-time. Also, the edge system communicates with the remote computing environment for non-real time operations on the set of machines.