IEN: What issues are facing today''s implementation of e-manufacturing?
Lueders: We believe that the key issues include:
- migration from existing systems to technologies that enable more automation and improved measurement of manufacturing parameters;
- infrastructure;
- skills and training;
- weak economy, low capacity utilization inhibit investment.
IEN: What advances do you see in software? Computing and networking devices? What has been the focus of your company''s R & D?
Lueders: Our company has been focusing on developing products and services that provide easily implemented improvements in measurement with low infrastructure investment using RF telemetry. By packaging measurement sensors with battery powered 900 MHz transceivers and multipoint (up to 250 sensors) base radios, we also have produced digital output streams that are compatible with existing control systems.
IEN: Has manufacturing really harnessed the power of wireless technology or has it only scratched the surface? What about the web?
Lueders: The implementation of this technology is still in the early stages. As components improve in capability and costs decline, wireless measurement and control will be more broadly adopted.
IEN: Have wireless and web-enabled systems been a hard sell to certain sectors? If so, why the reluctance?
Lueders: The major concerns about implementing wireless systems have been:
- Reliability -- robust components, FHSS communications, and error-checking techniques have addressed the reliability concerns experienced with early generation industrial wireless devices.
- Security -- data coding and encryption now provide high degree of security.
- Field Power -- low power consumption, long life (typical 5 year), battery powered field instruments provide an ideal mix of fast implementation, reduced infrastructure requirements, and low maintenance. Field instruments also become readily portable for diagnostic purposes or multi-use, optimizing benefits for invested capital.