Designing standard components with digital integration in mind

From norelem, sensor technology, quality technical support, and a handbook that is also a guide to innovation.

Some standard components can be designed to integrate better with digital processes than others, but the ideal components to facilitate digital integration are those that enable positioning, displacement, and measurement.

One example is the norelem position indicator with electronic IO link interface, typically used to verify format adjustments so as to reduce setup time and increase the efficiency of an automated machine. These components integrate well with intelligent technology systems because they use a standardized communication interface, one of norelem’s manufacturing strengths. They are also very versatile and can be used in different types of applications, such as in a milling machine or in the packaging industry. In this regard, other standard norelem components that integrate well with digital processes are stepper motors (with integrated positioning control and programmable via software, designed for use in areas where something needs to move without human intervention), safety switches (including hinge switches) and spring-loaded pressors with status sensors. For the latter, an electrical control signal can be sent via the built-in limit switch, enabling simple mechanical processes to be checked and workpieces used to be precisely positioned.

Future-proof industrial manufacturing

The manufacturing sector must be able to adapt to a wide variety of working conditions, including remote control of lines where production maintenance is difficult to manage. In most cases, it is carried out from a visual inspection, which is impossible to do if production is located elsewhere, and it is precisely the lack of a remote maintenance procedure that can generate serious problems in production due to unexpected failures or component wear and tear.

To address this need, norelem provides standard components integrated with digital processes to handle remote diagnostics and maintenance. For example, adding sensors to equipment to detect physical parameters, such as vibration and heat, makes it possible to reduce plant visits, including eliminating the need for lengthy diagnostic tests. The availability of timely data also makes it possible to order standard components and proceed quickly to repair.