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32 MMS August 2017 mmsonline.com DECIDING FACTORS A Focus on Data-Driven Manufacturing CO NTR I BUTO R M A X PR E S TO N , S m a r t At t e n d (s m a r t a t t e n d .c o m) Shedding Light on Data-Driven Manufacturing D ata-driven manufacturing depends on shops being able to collect the data they need to m a ke g o o d d e c i s i o n s a b o u t m a n u f a c tu r i n g processes. Right now, a lot of attention is devoted to collecting this data from connected devices via a computer network, usually one that uses internet technology to make accessibility to the data almost unlimited. When data is turned into a c t i o n a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n, p e o p l e (a s w e l l a s machine s) c a n re spond to situations before workflow is disrupted, a process creates scrap or a danger arises. This is a cornerstone of con- cepts such as Industr y 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). However, critical information about machines on the shop floor can be collected and conveyed by other means that may be simpler, faster and often more effective for achieving certain results. This is the idea behind the Smart Attend "smart light tower." This device not only provides the expected color-coded light display, but also provides audible indicators such as buzzers, chimes and voice messages. More important, the light tower is also wired to a companion Smart Device that communicates production data wire- lessly to a machine-monitoring application running on a cloud-based server. This application enables authorized shop personnel to open a dashboard on a smartphone, tablet or networked PC. Two principles about Industry 4.0/IIoT imple- mentation are at work here. One is the importance of keeping things simple. The other is the impor- tance of keeping things clear. A light tower with digital functionality supports both principles. Let's look at simplicity first. The Smart Attend is wired to a machine's existing 24-volt electrical lines on the I/O board and uses the sensors already on the machine. Because hookup is designed to be simple, the system can be installed on critical accessories or auxiliary equipment in addition to CNC machines. For example, a light tower on a shop's central air compressor can detect if line pressure drops too low and issue the appropriate alert. Legacy machines or older equipment with- out electronic control systems can also be equipped with a light tower and communication box. Installation requires no software interface or communication protocol to link to the Smar t Device's network portal, which feeds the shop's unique account that is set up on the server. When Smart Attend includes a light tower with digital capability for visual and audible signaling on the shop floor, as well as a com- munication device for data col- lection and reporting to enable remote production monitoring.