Fujitsu has launched the ‘VisuaLine’, an IoT solution that visualises the operational status of the manufacturing process based on log data of operating results collected from a factory’s equipment. Sales of this solution commenced in Japan from December 5.
The solution collects log data from the manufacturing equipment used in the production process, and visualises the operational status for each individual product in a variety of formats, such as graphs. By comparing these graphs on a daily basis, users can, at a glance, see portions of the process that are taking more time than usual, enabling them to quickly discover anomalies that would not otherwise be discovered unless they caused the equipment to set off an alarm or cease operation.
With this solution, users can discern problems based on the log data, such as if equipment is failing or deteriorating, allowing them to use the information to discover new places to improve the manufacturing facilities or to establish policies.
Features of VisuaLine
1. Provides visualisations in which anyone can determine anomalies at a glance
This system uses log data for all of the manufacturing equipment involved in the production process for an individual product, and visualises this data in a graph that displays process time as a waveform. This makes it possible to grasp the operational status at a glance, such as steps in the process that are taking longer than usual, or steps that have from the start of operations chronically taken more time, so that anyone can easily discover anomalous parts of the process.
2. Field trial-proven video links, estimated vs. actual visualisation and equipment visualisation
By linking information from graphs to cameras installed in a manufacturing facility, and then clicking on points in the graph the user would like to see, such as anomalies, it is possible to check video of that point in time, such as what happened at that location or what countermeasures were taken. In addition, this system enables users to search for places to improve based on where they fell short of goals, through a comparative visualisation function that compares scheduled process goals and actual results.
3. Easy to implement IoT initiatives in manufacturing facilities
This solution utilizes performance data from existing equipment as is, so IoT-based improvement of manufacturing facilities can be started immediately. With the ability to have small starts that keep initial investments in check, deployment from a single line can be rolled out and expanded to other factories.
Image Credit: Fujitsu