Factory Automation and The Smart Factory- The Opportunity
- Factory automation is the connecting up of factory equipment to improve the efficiency and reliability of process control systems.
- This is leading to the development of the Smart Factory that can be monitored in real-time and quickly reconfigured to meet the changing production requirements.
- The Factory Automation and Industrial Controls market was valued at USD 190.83 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 315.29 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 9% over the forecast period 2020 – 2025*
- It is also expected that the necessity for social-distancing and other health controls in the workplace caused by the Covid-19 pandemic will speed up the requirement for automation in global factories.
Uses of PoE in the Smart Factory
Factory equipment that can be connected by Ethernet (and therefore powered by POE) includes:
–Inspection cameras
–Measurement systems and sensors
–Barcode readers
–Data collection computers
–Industrial PCs
–Robots
–Routers
–Displays and monitors
Benefits of Choosing PoE
- Benefits of POE when applied to a Factory Automation System.
Ease of installation – Equipment can be installed anywhere in a factory using one low voltage data cable.
Safety – High voltage mains sockets and cables are no longer required. All cables and connections are ‘safe to touch’.
Flexibility – Equipment can easily be moved around the factory floor by re-routing a single CAT5 data cable. Expensive electricians are not needed.
Size and cost reduction – Bulky mains power supplies or AC/DC converters not required.
Benefits of Silvertel’s POE modules as opposed to a discrete integrated circuit (IC) solutions:
–Speed of development – Instruments using POE can be developed much more quickly if a Silvertel off the shelf module is used
–Small size – Allowing tiny cameras and instruments to be fitted inside compact process equipment
–Interoperability – Meets all international IEEE standards. Therefore can be connected to POE equipment from any other manufacturer.
-Factories are noisy electrical environments – Silvertel modules meet all relevant EMC standards
Case Study:
The Omron V330 barcode reader measures just 63x40x24mm and is used within Smart Factories. It uses Silvertels Ag9905LP which is the smallest POE solution in the world.
https://automation.omron.com/en/us/products/family/V330
Silvertel PoE in the Smart Factory – TESLA
- Oring are a Taiwanese company that use the Silvertel Ag5100 and Ag9712-FL. They are used by Tesla for factory monitoring and data collection. https://www.oringnet.com/en-global/application/detail/138
- Oring chose Silvertel because they needed a quick solution that is as small as possible due to space limits
Silvertel PoE in the Smart Factory – Patlite
- Patlite are a Japanese company that use Silvertels Ag9924MT in an intelligent factory signalling system. The equipment is enabling Smart Factories and is part of the IIoT (industrial internet of things) environment. https://www.patlite.com/product/detail0000000651.html
Product focus
Ag9900 Series | Ag9700 Series | Ag5800 | Ag5300 |
The Smallest PoE PD Solution in the World • Miniaturised POE PD module: | • Cost optimised IEEE802.3af POE • SIL package: SIL-56mm(L)x18mm(W)x14mm(H) • Industrial temperature option (FL) • Class programming option • Overload & short-circuit protection • Over-temperature protection option • 3V, 5V, 12V & 24V versions • Isolated DC/DC converter • Low cost & simple integration | Smallest 85W ‘bt’ solution in the world • DIL – 70mm(L) x 35mm(W) x 17mm(H) • Power received on all 4 pairs – Type 4, Class 8 • Overload, thermal & short-circuit protection • Very low power standby mode • Wide input voltage range (37-57V) • 12V or 24 V output • 89% efficient isolated DC/DC converter • Minimal low cost external components required • Simple integration | • Smallest ‘at’ solution in the world • SIL – 57mm(L)x18mm(W)x14mm(H) • 5V, 12V & 24V output options • Adjustable output voltage • Input voltage range 37V to 57V • Overload, thermal and short-circuit protection • Isolated high efficiency DC/DC converter • Minimal low cost external components required • Low cost & simple integration |