Simplifying Robust Process Manufacturing Networks
In today’s food and beverage processing environment robust and reliable end-to-end network physical layer infrastructure is required from the enterprise to the edge. This is essential in order to maximise the understanding and benefit of increased data flows and optimise the processes, increase safety and provide increasingly more management information.
As more industrial operations are linked to corporate networks, connectivity is pushed to devices that increase the number of network access points. Factories need solutions that manage and strengthen the facility infrastructure by implementing lockout/tagout products and tools to protect employees and infrastructure from hazards created by energised systems.
Implementing optimised industrial communication and linkage from enterprise throughout the plant floor enhances network uptime, allows segregated networks, manages network security, provides network asset visualisation and proactively reports network information.
Food and beverage applications require reliable network infrastructure for end point devices and network connections. Structured cabling with fibre or copper is fed into zone enclosures which are engineered to accommodate the correct connection. The zone enclosure provides downlinks to control panels, OEM skids and end devices. A consistent network infrastructure that distributes Ethernet beyond the control room and across the plant floor improves Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), increases network visibility and resiliency. Active and passive equipment architecture provides localised network traffic and reduces network redundancy and cost.
Connecting systems across the plant floor results in consistent Ethernet node growth and utilising best practice guidelines you can deploy Ethernet networks in a control panel environment. This results in higher performance, less susceptibility to EMI noise and enhanced network security, together with space optimisation. Additional benefits include noise mitigation and increased safety. Data access ports also prevent unintentional control panel disruption by unauthorised personnel. Standard network cable is not designed to be near high voltages. However, in industrial environments cables in control panels or near manufacturing machines are often in close contact. Panduit offers 600V rated solutions to ensure the integrity of your network from high voltage interference.
Implementing the appropriate cabling infrastructure from control panel to machine addresses effective cable routing, strain relief and environmental protection, which helps maximise plant uptime and ensures extended reliability.
Industrial reference drawings are the concepts that provide control and network services for mixed environment Operational Technology and Information Technology. For more information visit https://bit.ly/39AjtCk
More information on food and drink processing networking infrastructure solutions is available at www.panduit.com or contact Panduit on 02086017319
