Page 89 - ENGINEERING REVIEW APRIL 2022 DIGITAL MAGAZINE
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TECH INNOVATION
                                                                      #SOM TECHNOLOGY



           Implementing Industrie 4.0 business   pallet or vehicle, the material handling   the machine can be monitored and
           models through SOM technology      solution can then be programmed to   controlled in different ways. An example
           SOMs are board-level circuits that   exhibit certain functions. The SOM-  is the maintenance of fluid flow rates in
           integrate a system function in a single   embedded equipment can thus be   lathes. In the end, product quality will be
           module. When embedded in devices or   plugged into an interconnected network   increased and production resources will
           equipment, the equipment is integrated   of shop-floor devices that drives   be better managed.
           with the functions built into the SOM.   automation. This example highlights
           In component manufacturing facilities,   how SOM technologies can be used   Implementing SOM technologies in
           SOM technologies can be integrated   to implement data-driven inventory   manufactured components
           into devices such as material handling   optimization models in component-  Smart products have gathered immense
           equipment and assembly tools.      manufacturing shop floors.         momentum in recent times. For
             Once the SOM is embedded, the      In this situation, the benefits of   example, the smart-home market alone
           equipment integrates the specific   embedding SOM technologies in     is expected to reach $151 billion by
           function that was programmed into   component manufacturing equipment   2024. The smart-home market consists
           the module. This function could be   include:                         of smart lighting, HVAC systems, home
           increased speed, communication                                        appliances, and even doorbells. Many of
           features, data acquisition, or timing   Automating shop floor processes –   these products are part of the innovative
           capabilities. The typical SOM      Equipment in an interconnected system   solutions produced by component
           used in Industrie 4.0 consists of   or network can communicate with   manufacturers. These innovative
           a microcontroller, memory blocks,   the central relationship management   strides have been made possible by the
           industry-standard communication    platform. This creates the opportunity   integration of embedded devices and
           protocols, and power management    to automate equipment performance on   SOM technology in traditional products.
           components.                        the shop floor.                      For component manufacturers
             Embedding SOM technology                                            who intend to develop tools, sensors,
           solutions in a piece of equipment such   Machine monitoring and control – In   actuators, and other electrical
           as a material handling device gives   this scenario, an SOM embedded into   components used in manufacturing
           the equipment the ability to collect   machines will serve as a programmable   facilities, embracing SOM technology
           or produce data. For example, if the   logic controller that can communicate   is a way to get started. If successfully
           nanoSOM nS02 is embedded into a cart,   at the I/O level. Within this context,   done, these products can be integrated





































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