Jargon Buster - Industry 4 & Digital Manufacturing

There's lots of acronyms in the world of Digital Manufacturing. We've taken some time to list them and give a brief summary:

General Industry 4.0 and Digital Manufacturing Acronyms:

• IoT (Internet of Things): Network of connected devices that communicate data.
• IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things): IoT applied in industrial settings for automation and data collection.
• AI (Artificial Intelligence): Simulation of human intelligence in machines.
• ML (Machine Learning): Subset of AI that enables systems to learn and improve from experience.
• CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems): Integration of computational algorithms with physical systems.
• AR (Augmented Reality): Technology that overlays digital information on the real world.
• VR (Virtual Reality): Immersive simulation of a computer-generated environment.
• PLM (Product Lifecycle Management): Management of a product’s lifecycle from inception to disposal.
• MES (Manufacturing Execution System): Software for managing and monitoring production processes.
• SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition): Control system for gathering and analyzing real-time data.
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): Software for business process management across departments.
• HMI (Human-Machine Interface): Interface allowing interaction between human operators and machines.
• DCS (Distributed Control System): System that distributes control elements throughout a process.
• QMS (Quality Management System): Formalized system documenting processes and procedures for quality assurance.
• WMS (Warehouse Management System): Software that optimizes warehouse operations.
• TMS (Transportation Management System): Platform that helps manage the logistics of transporting goods.
• BOM (Bill of Materials): Comprehensive list of raw materials and components needed for manufacturing.
• KPI (Key Performance Indicator): Metrics that measure performance towards goals.
• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness): Metric to measure the efficiency of production equipment.
• RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification): Technology using radio waves for identification and tracking.

ISA-95 Hierarchy Acronyms:

• PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): Industrial computer that controls machinery operations.
• RTU (Remote Terminal Unit): Device for interfacing with sensors and connecting to control systems.
• CNC (Computer Numerical Control): Automation of machine tools via pre-programmed software.

Automation and Robotics:

• AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot): Robot capable of independent navigation.
• PAC (Programmable Automation Controller): Hybrid controller providing the functions of PLC and PC.
• AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle): Vehicle that follows a path or pre-set route.
• RMS (Reconfigurable Manufacturing System): Flexible manufacturing system that can be quickly adapted to new products.
• HSC (High-Speed Cutting): Machining process that uses high spindle speeds for faster material removal.
• BMS (Building Management System): System for controlling and monitoring building facilities.

Connectivity and Data Management:

• 5G (Fifth Generation Mobile Network): High-speed wireless technology for better connectivity and data transfer.
• M2M (Machine-to-Machine Communication): Direct communication between devices without human input.
• OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture): Standard for secure industrial communication.
• API (Application Programming Interface): Set of rules enabling communication between software applications.
• IoE (Internet of Everything): Concept of connecting people, processes, data, and things for improved outcomes.
• CSV (Comma-Separated Values): Simple file format for data storage with fields separated by commas.
• SQL (Structured Query Language): Programming language for managing and querying data in relational databases.

Cybersecurity and Safety:

• ICS-CERT (Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team): Organization providing incident response and security for industrial control systems.
• IDS (Intrusion Detection System): Monitors for unauthorized access to a system.
• IPS (Intrusion Prevention System): System that monitors network traffic and prevents identified threats.
• MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication): Security system requiring multiple verification methods.
• TLS (Transport Layer Security): Protocol ensuring privacy between communicating computer applications.

Advanced Analytics and Data:

• BI (Business Intelligence): Technologies and strategies for analyzing business data.
• AI/ML Ops (AI and Machine Learning Operations): Practice of managing and automating AI/ML lifecycle processes.
• ETL (Extract, Transform, Load): Process for extracting, transforming, and loading data into a data warehouse.
• EDA (Exploratory Data Analysis): Approach to analyzing data sets to summarize their main characteristics.

Business and Financial Acronyms:

• TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): Full cost of owning an asset over its lifecycle.
• ROI (Return on Investment): Measure of the profitability of an investment.
• CAPEX (Capital Expenditures): Funds used to acquire or upgrade physical assets.
• OPEX (Operational Expenditures): Ongoing costs for running a business or system.

Standards and Compliance:

• ISO 9001: Standard for quality management systems.
• ISO 14001: Standard for effective environmental management systems.
• ISO/IEC 27001: International standard for information security management systems.
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): EU regulation for data privacy and protection.
• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points): System for ensuring food safety by managing hazards.

Why Reinvent the Wheel? Lessons for Kiwi Manufacturers on Technology Adoption.

7th November 2024

Picture this: a state-of-the-art, fully automated factory that practically runs itself, controlled by AI so advanced it feels like it's about to take over your job. It’s futuristic, shiny, and, let’s face it, a little terrifying. Now, back to reality. You’re the manager of a New Zealand manufacturing business. The actual day-to-day isn’t full of robots with British accents but involves machines that occasionally clank, processes that still need a watchful eye, and data that sometimes gets logged by hand.

What’s the moral of this leap from sci-fi to shop floor? Not every manufacturer needs to aim for the bleeding edge of technology to thrive. Let’s break it down.

1. The Grass Isn’t Always Greener (It’s Just More Expensive)

Jumping into cutting-edge tech sounds cool—until you see the price tag. Advanced AI systems, IoT solutions so new they’re still in beta, and machines that need engineers with PhDs to operate don’t come cheap. And don’t even get me started on maintenance costs. Bleeding-edge tech can feel like being invited to the most exclusive club in town, only to realize the drinks cost more than your house.

New Zealand manufacturers, especially the small and medium ones, don’t need to chase after the shiny, flashy options. Proven technologies that have been around the block a few times can provide massive value without breaking the budget. They’re supported by robust ecosystems, meaning local engineers and technicians already know how to work with them, and spare parts don’t need to be shipped from a top-secret lab in Silicon Valley.

2. Proven Technologies: The True Workhorses

Let’s talk practical. Proven technologies are like that reliable old ute that might not look fancy, but never lets you down. Automated data collection systems for your shop floor? Check. Tried-and-true ERP solutions that integrate with your existing processes? Check. These aren’t technologies that need a tech conference to understand—they’re solutions that have been applied, tested, and adjusted across countless industries.

Take, for example, data collection from shop floor machines. Instead of waiting for a machine-learning wizard to create an algorithm that can predict the future (and maybe pick the winning lotto numbers), there are solid, affordable systems available now. These systems can connect to your legacy equipment, pull real-time data, and push it to dashboards your team can actually understand. You don’t need to decipher new tech lingo or have your staff scratching their heads during training. They’re built for people who run factories, not computer science labs.

3. Implementation: A Smooth Drive, Not an Off-Road Adventure

When you implement proven technology, you’re stepping onto a well-paved road. The processes for adoption and training are clearly defined. Need to train your staff? No problem—there’s already a manual, a video series, and probably a local consultant who can explain it to you over a cup of coffee. This isn’t the case with bleeding-edge tech, where the manual might not even exist yet and training could involve a four-hour webinar with an overly enthusiastic developer.

Proven tech also offers reliability in scaling. As your business grows, your investment remains relevant and adaptive. Your shop floor systems can be expanded, your ERP modules can be updated, and your automation doesn’t become obsolete when the next big buzzword hits.

4. Keeping it Kiwi: Smart, Not Flashy

New Zealand’s manufacturing landscape isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about resilience, adaptability, and smart decisions. The stories of success don’t come from businesses that spent their entire budget on tech that might work but from those that invested in what they knew would work. Sure, innovation is important, but it doesn’t always mean chasing the latest trend. Often, it means looking at what’s already working for others, tweaking it to fit your needs, and hitting the ground running.

Adopting proven technologies is like bringing the best bits of rugby to your factory. It’s strategic, well-practiced, and effective. You don’t need to invent a new sport; you just need to play a smart game. So, before you find yourself seduced by the lure of tech that promises the moon (but might deliver headaches instead), remember: the most valuable tools are often the ones that are already in your toolbox. Final Thought: Be Savvy, Not Showy

If there’s one takeaway, let it be this: Don’t let the cutting edge cut into your bottom line. Proven technology is the friend that shows up with practical help, not grand promises. So, keep it real, keep it smart, and keep your shop floor humming along with tech that’s tested and true.

Author: Frank Phillips - Director