Decentralised drive technology with integrated safety is the future

By OEM Update Editorial June 9, 2021 4:14 pm IST

Companies must continuously adapt to new and uncertain market conditions and prepared for uncertainties.

P L Muthusekkar, Managing Director, NORD DriveSystems Pvt. Ltd., share his views on the impacts and advancements of latest technologies in drives and motors. He further suggests to have integrated safety systems to preserve the technologies in future.

How do you evaluate the demand for automation, AI and robotics in the drives and motors sector?

The term automation – Industry 4.0 includes the intelligent interlinking of digital data and processes with the physical world, i.e., with humans, machines, and smart objects. This global networking and interaction are also known as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).  Demand of automation is rising in multiple industries, the new norms such as social distancing and shortage of workers, less touch points, expected to bring new technological changes along with automation. Along with Industry 4.0 The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) focuses on internet usage in industrial processes and procedures. IIoT aims at increasing the operational efficiency, reducing costs, and speeding up processes. Sensors and sensor data playing a central role provide the basis for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. When it comes to predictive maintenance – the objective is to maintain machines and plants proactively, to reduce downtimes and to increase the efficiency of the entire plant.

How is automation, AI and ML bridging the technological gap in Indian industries?

The aim of automation (Industry 4.0) is a flexible, modular, and self-organising production which coordinates its processes decentral and autonomously. So, industry 4.0 technologies making factories smarter. In this process of implementing Industry 4.0 created a need to have a workforce that has a specific set of skills. To bridge this technological gap industries should focus more on – on the job training to upskill the existing and new employees. Technological gap is reducing right from the awareness, usage of the technologies, pilot plants, investments in right direction, considering future etc.

What are the challenges for the SME and MSME sector in adopting factory automation, digitisation and robotics for efficient manufacturing?

Major challenges faced by SME and MSME’s are –

Cash Flow – Payment delays, Selling on cost etc…. / Outdated Technology – Lack of capital / Lack of Infrastructure – Skilled Manpower. major barriers in adopting automation, continuing with their old business practices and technologies. Usually one-man decisions, no broad consensus, where and how to start etc. are the main challenges for SME+MSME

What measures being taken by NORD to ensure safe and security of drives, motors and the machine handlers?

Highest performance with safety. The NORD SK TU4-PNS PROFIsafe module meets the most stringent safety requirements and ensures a secure communication in PROFINET environments.

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS supplies all frequency inverters with integrated STO (Safe Torque Off) and SS1 (Safe Stop 1). The drive specialist provides fail-safe communication and safe movement functions according to IEC 61800-5 with the NORD SK TU4-PNS PROFIsafe module. In combination with a safety PLC, the drive electronics reliably communicate over the existing PROFINET via PROFIsafe.

The module monitors the safe compliance with the limit values and provides safe inputs and outputs. If a limit value is exceeded or undershot, the bus interface switches to a safe state. The voltage is disconnected from all outputs, input information is reset and transmitted to the higher-level fail-safe controller. This is essential for the use of the PROFIsafe module.

The PROFIsafe module NORD SK TU4-PNS supports the safety functions SLS (Safety Limited Speed), SSR (Safe Speed Range) and SSM (Safe Speed Monitor). With the PROFISAFE module with decentralised FI, customers can implement their drive solutions with integrated safety functions from the NORD modular drive systems.

What kind of trainings does NORD provide to its technical staff and process handlers in the facility?

We at Nord have implemented few programs successfully. One of the initiatives to highlight is Gear Guru Campaign designed to improve the product awareness, basic technical knowledge and know-how for our customers and Chanel partners which would help them in better product selection and customisation. We are also taking efforts for skill enhancement of our employees by arranging technical and soft skill trainings. This pandemic has helped in one way for lot of online sessions. Over 1000 such meetings and trainings have been conducted in last 1 year both internally and externally.

How has NORD planned to leverage the pandemic situation and regain the market’s confidence?

All industries have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, with varying degrees of severity. Some have stronger defences, while others will struggle to return to a constantly shifting “normal. “Consumer demand patterns are shifting, global supply chains are disrupted and remain under pressure, and different regions, markets and governments are responding uniquely to the COVID-19 crisis. Companies must continuously adapt to new and uncertain market conditions and prepared for uncertainties.

We are focused more on communication, trainings, use of online tools, Digital Marketing, conducting Surveys. Of one all care of our employees, customers, supply chain and kept the industry moving particularly essential support to Pharma, Diary, Food and Beverage, Vaccine Producers etc.

Travel restrictions and restricted customer visits are biggest challenges we face being an Engineering Industry. But thanks to the digital era that our sales team could have daily conversation with our customers via VCs etc.