The Internet of Things in the manufacturing and distribution sectors
We've touched on how the Internet of things has been developed over the years on top of existing technology already integrated into retail and distribution outlets.Here we look at the example we have already discussed in more detail, namely the manufacturing and distribution sectors. Impulse has over 18 years experience in providing products to the manufacturing and distribution markets, and continue to develop new solutions for our customers in this and all industrial vertical markets.
Below is a concept of an intelligent distribution system. We explain in more detail the types of products used in this example, all of which are available through Impulse.
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| Layout of an intelligent distribution system |
Products used in the intelligent distribution system:
Delivery truck
TREK-550
Used for monitoring vehicle information (engine status, MPG, speed and duration). It can also be used as a location tracking device and a data logger. Communicates with ECU via Canbus / OBD-II.
ADAM-4118
Thermocouple module to monitor cargo temperatures at multiple locations in trailer. Transmits data back to TREK-550 via Modbus RS-485.
Delivery bay
ARK-1120
Low powered device with multiple I/O ports, used to connect to RFID sensors and communicate with central stock database.
EKI-2525
Standard 5 port unmanaged Ethernet switch to communicate RFID scan data back to central database.
ADAM-6160
Ethernet based relay output module to roll delivery bay doors up and down remotely. System based in control room.
Forklift truck
TREK-743
Wireless in-vehicle panel PC can connect to RFID sensor and match pallet ID with stock location. System can tell driver which location to put the pallet and also give him/her a list of jobs etc.
Cold / warm storage area
ADAM-6018
Module to interface with temperature sensors and transmit data back to control room. Digital output channels are available on this module if the control centre wants to adjust room temperatures. Module connected to centralised control system in control room via Ethernet.
FPM-3151G
Wide temperature panel PC used for localised database access. Manual stock movements etc.
EKI-2525I
Wide temperature Ethernet switch to connect ADAM module and FPM panel to central control system.
Rack control system
SYS-4U
Multiple pre-configured rack-mount systems (SYS-4U4000-7A01 etc) used for the following:
- Stock software interface server
- Database storage server
- Automation server (connected to ADAM modules and other sensors)
EKI-7656C
16 TX Port + 2 Gigabit Combo Wide Temp Managed Redundant Ethernet Switch. Used to manage data between various parts of warehouse and the servers. Use features such as failover redundancy and bandwidth QoS.
Control room
EKI-4524I
24 TX Port Unmanaged Ethernet Switch to connect various ADAM-6000 sensors throughout warehouse to SCADA system.
ARK-1122
Embedded PC used to interface with various ADAM modules. Utilising WebAccess software to create SCADA control interface. ADAM modules control and monitor different parts of warehouse including:
Cold / warm storage area
Delivery bay roller door
Outside gate access
HVAC system
Other / Misc
MARS-3070
Tablet PC used by warehouse staff for manual stock checks and remote access to stock database. Tablet communicates with control system via WiFi.
EKI-6351
IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi Mesh Access Point/station – used to create mesh wireless network throughout the warehouse for forklift and other wireless devices.
Summary
The transition to Intelligent Systems and the Internet of Things has been going on for many years in the industrial and retail markets. Industry and commerce has been built over the last couple of decades on a foundation of networked devices, designed to communicate with each other in order to provide more efficient working processes.
It is plain to see that the step from one of these existing networked systems to what we coin as the Internet of Things is not a huge leap, more of an expansion of existing technologies and an understanding of how truly flexible your systems can be when adopting this concept. The efficiency of your working processes can be greatly increased with the simplest of product applications, essentially giving your business an extra pair of hands to help monitor non-computing objects provide alerts without you having to lift a finger.
Our highly qualified technical sales team and engineers at Impulse can help you with the design, development and deployment of your intelligent systems, whether it be expanding your existing system, or designing a completely new one from the ground up.
If you would like more information, please feel free to call us on +44(0)1782 337 800.
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