In the chemical industry, a production line is a complex system that requires precise control and monitoring. One of the key components in this process is a programmable logic controller (PLC), a digital computer used to automate industrial processes. The edge gateway plays a vital role in collecting data from the PLC, analyzing the data, and performing necessary calculations.
What is an Edge gateway?
Edge gateways serve as a crucial bridge between edge devices and cloud computing. They not only collect data but also perform initial analyses locally. This proximity to data sources significantly reduces latency and enhances response times.
1. Edge computing gateway focuses on data acquisition and protocol conversion. It supports 4G/Ethernet/WIFI tri-network communication, covering most network types.
2. Moreover, the edge gateway also has rich interfaces such as RS485/RS232/DI/DO/CAN, which is convenient for interfacing with devices.
3. In chemical systems, it is often necessary to use devices from different manufacturers, and these devices often need to use different protocols. Edge gateway supports with a variety of mainstream PLC brands, a variety of IoT protocols, industrial protocols, thus solving the problem of device docking.
4. Not only that, users can also use the edge computing gateway for data format customization and logic customization. Meet the needs of personalized use scenarios.
Data Collection
The edge gateway collects data from the PLC in real time. PLC controls various aspects of the production line such as temperature, pressure, flow, etc. They continuously generate data about these parameters, which is then collected by edge gateways. Industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, Profibus or Ethernet/IP facilitate this data collection.
Data Analysis and Calculation
After collecting the data, the edge gateway performs real-time analysis. This involves processing raw data to extract meaningful information. For example, it can calculate averages, detect anomalies, or identify trends. Edge gateways can also perform more complex calculations based on the requirements of the production line.
In the chemical industry, these calculations often involve chemical reaction rates, percent yields, or process efficiencies. The results of these calculations can be used to adjust production lines in real time, ensuring optimal performance and quality control.
Automatically Reconnects
In factories, sometimes the network signal is poor, which can easily cause the loss of collected data. Using an edge computing gateway can solve this problem. It adopts Buffer Queue and Influxdb technology to ensure data storage. Moreover, the gateway can support automatic reconnection of 4G/Ethernet/WiFi and intelligent switching of backups, so that the device is always online!
Remote Management
With the IOTRouter’s remote management software, it can realize the remote configuration, remote debuggingremote diagnosis, remote update program and other func-tions of the field equipment. In addition to remote maintenance in the office, engineers can commission and remotely monitor equipment at home or even outdoors. This not only makes it easier for engineers to operate and maintain, but also reduces the cost of traveling.
Benefits in the Chemical Industry
There are several advantages to using edge gateways in chemical industry production lines. It enables real-time monitoring and can significantly improve the efficiency and safety of the production process. By analyzing and computing data at the edge, the need for data transmission is reduced, thereby saving bandwidth and reducing latency. Additionally, it enables predictive maintenance by identifying potential issues before they become serious, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Conclusion
In short, the edge gateway, as a key component of the chemical production line, realizes real-time data collection, analysis and calculation. Doing so helps optimize production processes, improve product quality, and improve operational efficiency. As technology continues to advance, the role of edge computing in industrial automation will become even more important.
