Industrial computing for industry 4.0

The Industry 4.0 Summit is the UK’s first dedicated conference and exhibition for the IIoT and attracts 3,000 visitors from a range of sectors. The event will help factory owners, plant managers and manufacturing heads learn how digitalisation can improve plant operations, productivity and efficiency.

Distec will be exhibiting Siemens industrial PCs and switches at the show. The Siemens industrial PCs offer high performance and fast system reactions, meaning they can deal with complex processes and high runtime.

The Siemens industrial PC range also includes panel computers, which can be used as HMIs, giving plant managers increased monitoring and control over the production lines in their plant.

“By using panel computers as HMIs, companies have increased flexibility in their plant monitoring rather than using SCADA software,” explained Adrian Swindells, a director of Distec. “The panel computers can connect with PROFIBUS interfaces to work with existing devices in the factory. These interactive HMIs then give plant managers the chance to monitor the efficiency of the production line.”

Following a recent survey where more than 50 per cent of manufacturers considered themselves unprepared for industry 4.0, the event offers training, advice and networking opportunities. Visitors can view presentations from 40 leading experts on industry 4.0 in action, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and smart manufacturing to improve their knowledge of the leading industrial trends.

“Industry 4.0 is revolutionising the way that plants operate and it is essential that plant managers are up to date,” continued Swindells. “A key part of successfully making the transition is to ensure that reliable systems are in place to accurately monitor networks and process efficiency.

The industrial PCs that we supply can undertake control, visualisation or communication tasks or data acquisition and management, allowing plant managers to have better control over production lines.

“However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing an industrial PC. To take advantage of the benefits of digitalisation, plant managers must consult with experts in industrial PCs to find the right hardware for them.

"For example, industries with round-the-clock production require high performance PCs that can run consistently for extensive periods, while food production engineers require devices that can be washed down safely. The industry 4.0 summit is the ideal opportunity for plant managers from all industries to consult with us to specify the right device.”