Consumer demands and market requirements are evolving fast, and so is the competition. This forces industries to establish robust connectivity within their systems. A strong, reliable network connectivity ensures seamless communications, cost-efficiency, and better performance.
Connectivity is the foundation of the modern Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). It has evolved significantly over the past few years and now plays an integral role in many industries.
Unfortunately, many small and large firms face significant connectivity challenges. But with connected devices, they can overcome many of these problems.
Industrial connectivity is the need of the hour. Let’s review how industries can achieve it more effectively.
An Overview of Industrial Connectivity
Since the 1980s, industrial connectivity has evolved with the changing market demands. From discrete wires to the Fieldbus, we learned a new concept of interacting with field devices through a controller.
By the 1990s, Ethernet replaced the Fieldbus. It became so widely accepted that most industries adopted it in the early 2000s. Almost all industries now have network connections, including Ethernet, wireless devices, and Fieldbus, as part of the digital transformation.
On the production floor, many industries use wireless communication networks to monitor the machinery and equipment in real time. Some also use sensor-driven industrial networks. This decreases downtime costs, improves a machine’s lifetime, and improves throughput.
Today, the world is moving toward a fourth industrial revolution called Industry 4.0. This revolution uses highly-advanced computing and communications technology. It includes leveraging machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), real-time data analytics, and virtual reality to monitor equipment and productivity.
Advanced computing and communication technologies help industries:
- Access accurate data in real-time
- Gather data-driven insights
- Localize supply chains
- Decentralize production departments
- Establish flexible systems
- Reduce production and delivery time
- Manage costs and tackle obstructions
To achieve all these benefits, industries rely on a robust connectivity network that perfectly integrates with their existing system.
Common Connectivity Challenges
Modern industrial connectivity demands security, reliability, and efficiency. As a result, industries must know how to transform data into actionable insights for better decisions.
But there is a problem. Industrial connectivity requires companies to connect technologies and industrial assets. Unfortunately, new firms struggle in this regard, leading to a few connectivity challenges. Below are the two most common ones:
Connection Cost
Developing or buying connectivity devices, communication boards, and protocols is expensive. Also, industrial machinery or devices weren’t initially built for connectivity. So manufacturers use different standards to make them compatible. As a result, the requirement for each machinery can differ from others.
Developing a driver for every machinery or device is also costly and time-consuming. Plus, it requires an experienced engineer with a heavy pay rate. Therefore, many industries struggle to bear the cost of connection.
Communication Interfaces
Many companies try to leverage industrial data without ensuring a connection between the traditional, legacy equipment with the assets. That’s primarily because they don't focus on enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Instead, their priority is improving end-consumer outcomes with modern technologies. And if it’s saving them production time and costs, then it’s well and good. Unfortunately, this approach doesn’t help a company reduce downtime and improve productivity.
Thus, establishing a reliable communication interface between legacy and modern technological systems is challenging for most industries.
Connectivity Devices for Industrial Environments
Industrial environments fluctuate with the nature of the industry. Some have naturally favorable conditions for network connectivity integrations. At the same time, others pose a great challenge to engineers when it comes to implementation.
Engineers use connected devices that provide strong signals and power for different industrial applications to establish a flawless network system. Some of these devices are:
Circular Connectors
A circular connector is ideal for harsh environments because of its flexibility and versatility. It is a circular interface with an inbuilt cylindrical contact housing. These connectors are primarily used in industries to strengthen signal, data, and power connections. They are also crucial in the military and manufacturing industries.
Circular connectors are famous for their ease of connectivity and robust mechanical performance. Depending on the industrial requirements, these connectors come in many sizes and contact layouts.
Rectangular Connectors
A rectangular connector works in power, signal, and data transmission, even in extreme conditions. It is ideal for optimizing signals in applications with constrained internal space. These connectors are now used in robotics, machine design, and industrial automation systems.
Rectangular connectors are easy to handle and have a flexible design that works with almost every system. Modern rectangular connectors enable user configuration and carry a multitude of signals.
Terminal Blocks
A terminal block connects two or more wires in the safest way possible. It is also called a terminal block connector. uses a conducting strip and a clamping element to secure wires with each other. This allows users to connect a wire from a single source to several outgoing wires. These blocks also have multiple terminals and insulated frames.
Terminal blocks ensure safe and reliable connections in industries, especially in confined areas. Many companies also connect terminal blocks with field signal lines for a safe and robust connection.
Cellular Routers
Compared to traditional wired cables, a cellular router leverages wireless cellular networks. These devices send communication signals between connected machines, devices, cloud services, and applications.
Industries can use cellular routers as their primary connectivity option or as a backup for wired connections. These routers come with varying signal and price ranges, depending on the environment you want them to work in.
Invest in an Industrial Networking Solution for Seamless Connectivity
Industries require a robust connectivity system to reduce their downtime and lost productivity. It involves reliable industrial devices, assets, robust remote management, and real-time monitoring.
Companies may struggle to provide services per demand without a failure-proof connectivity system. Industrial connectivity helps companies access real-time data and transform them into actionable insights.
Investing in an industrial networking solution like Novotech ensures seamless industrial remote connectivity. The platform has provided custom solutions to governmental, small, and large companies. These custom solutions helped them adapt to the industrial revolution.
From tracking and monitoring the transportation of goods to improving services, Novotech knows it all. So connect with us today to harness the power of remote industrial connectivity!