The Role Of iDataOps in Smart Machine Maintenance

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Introduction to iDataOps

iDataOps is Rawcubes' Industrial Data Operations platform that can automatically monitor and manage all devices connected to the software. iDataOps uses advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to analyze data generated by production-level equipment. By monitoring equipment behavior and performance metrics, such as temperature, vibration, and power consumption, the tool can identify patterns that may indicate an impending failure or issue. Based on these patterns, iDataOps can then send alerts to notify maintenance teams when equipment may need servicing or parts replacement. This allows maintenance teams to address issues proactively, reducing the likelihood of unexpected downtime and avoiding costly repairs or replacements. The monitoring process requires minimal human intervention.

The platform is built on top of DataBlaze, Rawcubes' industrial data management software, and is designed to "listen" to all onboarded production equipment. It monitors equipment behavior, utilization, power consumption, and data generated at the equipment level.

Why Do We Need iDataOps?

iDataOps is essential for reducing production downtime and ensuring a smooth production flow. Unexpected maintenance or repair activities can bring the entire production process to a halt, resulting in significant financial losses. By predicting equipment failures and maintenance needs before they occur, the tool helps prevent unscheduled downtime and allows maintenance teams to plan and schedule maintenance activities in advance, resulting in increased productivity and reduced costs. Here are some examples to help you get a better idea:

  1. Wear and tear

    Industrial equipment, due to friction, corrosion, fatigue, or age, can get exposed to natural wear and tear, resulting in its breakdown. By monitoring equipment performance and analyzing data, the tool can identify when components are approaching their end-of-life, allowing for proactive replacement before they fail and cause unexpected downtime.

  2. Lubrication failure

    Machinery needs lubrication to reduce friction between moving parts, which ‌reduces wear and tear and prolongs the lifespan of the equipment. Insufficient lubrication can cause the metal surfaces rub against each other, causing heat and damage. This may result in equipment failure over time. The tool can use predictive maintenance to monitor lubricant levels, sending an alert every time the lubricant levels fall below the set threshold.

  3. Vibration-related failure

    Excessive vibration can cause equipment to wear out and fail prematurely. The tool used predictive maintenance to monitor equipment vibration levels and identify when vibration patterns deviate from normal, allowing for early detection of potential failures and timely corrective action.

Key Components of the iDataOps Platform

Here are some key components of the platform:

Organization Workbench

This section is for onboarding organizations, which can be original equipment manufacturing companies (OEMs) that produce machinery and equipment. For example, if a client manufactures conveyor belts, their organization would be added under this section.

Customer Workbench

This section is where users can add information about the customers to whom products are being sold. For instance, if the organization included in the Organization Workbench is selling its conveyor belts to companies A and B, users will include A and B in the Customer Workbench.

Machine Onboarding Workbench

The Machine Onboarding Workbench is a vital section of the iDataOps platform, providing users with a comprehensive overview of the production-level data. For instance, let's say the organization has sold 10 conveyor belts to Company A. In this section, users can record whether all 10 belts were sold as standard pieces or if some of them were customized versions based on A's requirements. This data is essential for keeping track of the different versions of the products sold and for identifying any patterns or trends that may emerge over time. The process is also known as the asset onboarding process, since all assets sold to the organization are onboarded and tracked in this section.

Besides the above mentioned features, the iDataOps platform also allows users to tweak certain configurations. These are listed as catalogs:

  • Product catalog: The Products Workbench contains information about all the products an organization deals with. For each item, the bill of materials (BOM) is listed, which describes the different components that make up the product. There are other details provided, such as the warranty period and specifications of the components.

  • Service management catalog: This section contains information about past sales activities. Users can record all the services they have provided and all the activities they have undertaken at an organizational level.

What Makes iDataOps so Useful?

The iDataOps platform's key attraction is its ability to provide real-time insights at the machine level of production equipment. To prevent production-level downtime, the platform "listens" to the equipment in real-time at an individual level, displaying the company's OEE metrics that show machinery’s availability, performance, and quality. Users can select the observation timeframe, whether daily, weekly, monthly, etc., and monitor each machine individually by selecting the machines of interest. This provides users with valuable insights into the performance of specific devices. If a user notices a fault in the production process, they can immediately raise a ticket on the platform and assign a priority level. This, coupled with the service management history, provides useful information for running diagnostics.

The platform fetches data directly from connected devices and monitors connectivity configurations, using a data mapper to map entities. The platform has several proprietary standard data models and ML-based predictive maintenance models that run on the data to provide real-time insights. This ensures complete coverage of end-to-end operations at the machine level.

What Skills Do Users Need To Use iDataOps?

The iDataOps platform has been designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, requiring only basic computer skills for effective use. This makes it easy for anyone with some knowledge of computers to onboard a device and start monitoring it. Our platform provides significant value to operation personnel, as it streamlines the process of monitoring equipment and provides real-time insights for improved decision-making.

To gain a deeper understanding of iDataOps, you can explore the additional blogs on our website, which provide valuable insights into how our platform empowers companies to make the most of their data. At Rawcubes, we assist with digitizing manufacturing processes via our intelligent data management and machine monitoring solution, ensuring you are prepared for Industry 4.0. Get in touch with us to schedule a demo today!