IEN: How can this sector meet rising demand for greater automation and flexibility?
Walsh: We''re seeing an increased need to sequence product flow to meet JIT production scheduling. The conveyor systems and controls we design must be able to deliver the components to the assembly line in a specific job sequence, and track the product through the entire system. Multiple and/or redundant bar code scanners or RF readers are often installed throughout the system to allow this type of tracking.
IEN: What innovations are in store for users of equipment, systems, components, materials, and software?
Walsh: TKF manufactures a gear-belt live roller conveyor called PosiGrip, which utilizes motorized rollers for accumulating and routing product. This conveyor is known as "smart conveyor" because of the flexibility it affords the user. Through control cards which function as mini PLCs, the control of the conveyor is mounted directly to the conveyor. The control cards have and will continue to develop, to allow the conveyors to be networked. Control of the conveyor system can then be handled through a PC, as opposed to PLC in a control panel. This could easily allow for an effective interface with warehouse management systems.
IEN: What advances do you see in plant floor connectivity? Web services? Remote material handling?
Walsh: With PC-based control systems, the Internet can be utilized to allow remote access to control of the conveyor system. This obviously reduces costs, and speeds response time to problems, since a technician now does not have to be on site to "see" what is happening.
IEN: Where are other R & D hot spots?
Walsh: It appears that "smart conveyor" logic is being extended to fit more and more material handling applications. Initially, this type of conveyor control was limited to light duty "O" ring-driven conveyors. TKF, with its gear-belt driven concept, has expanded this capability to the medium-duty market. Several companies, including TKF, are working to bring this technology to the heavy-duty handling sector of the market.
IEN: Will wireless become more prevalent?
Walsh: As the technology improves, and becomes more reliable, we see wireless becoming more and more prevalent.
IEN: How can downtime issues be resolved? Through RCM, web-based monitoring, embedded maintenance? Other solutions?
Walsh: Obviously, downtime is and always has been a major issue. With the increased ability to monitor a customer''s system through the Internet, problems can be clearly identified, and then appropriately addressed much more quickly. Many times a downtime situation could be avoided or shortened if the problem-related information was simply available. This is especially true with automated systems or off-shift operations. Better and faster solutions will come with better and more readily available problem identification.