The Functions of Computers in Manufacturing and My Personal Experience With Them.
I have worked in the manufacturing industry for 18 years. For ten years, I compression molded fiber-reinforced thermoset polymers (fiberglass matting and thick liquid resin mixed with colors and other chemicals, then pressed them into shapes at high temps to cause the liquid resin to cure and harden). Then I switched to the CNC industry, where I found automation and was fascinated by the potential of some of the devices. Many of the devices that make automation possible are unique and have unique types of Operating Systems and IDEs that make implementation difficulty range from easy to moderate. We rely on Microsoft Windows-based products for PCs with a more common OS. A prominent program that we use on PC is called Plex. Plex allows information to be transferred around at all the computer stations, both plant-wide and from locations outside the plant. However, access from outside the plant is only granted to superior positions in management. The data can include dimensions of routine quality checks, work instructions, part drawings, and equipment status (in production, setup, down for maintenance, etc.).
The Importance of Computer Literacy in the Work Environment
Between CNC, robotics, and Windows OS, production employees must be computer literate at a basic to moderate level. With the ability to adapt to current technology, our employees would be more efficient in operating their machines and devices. Without this knowledge, they are restricted to labor jobs.
The Impact of Computers' Evolution Predicted for the Next Ten Years
As machine tools and automation advance, the ability to operate automated equipment becomes more in demand. My current location has implemented over fifty robots in the last ten years. This has increased production, quality, and safety. This has also nearly tripled the required workforce, raising the demand for workers with basic computer literacy. Automation is not going away; it will only be engineered more. The need to understand computing and even some basic programming is growing, and the skills are highly beneficial in manufacturing and all sectors.
An Interview With an Network Engineer
I was excited and decided to interview David, the Network Administrator/Technician/Engineer at my company, to get insight into the relationship between networking and manufacturing. Here is a summary of what we talked about:
Security is the biggest thing all the time. Visitors want access to the network. We, therefore, have to set up vendor networking. Vendors need internet access to complete tasks while visiting the company’s plants, such as accessing information for presentations. Another thing is that people from inside the company want to collect data from machines on site, so the challenge would be to get those things on the network but protect them from the internet (to which vendors have access). So, we use air gapping, a machine with two ethernet cards that separate the devices on the network and the world. This is a hardware firewall. Air gapping is our ultimate security. Many of the Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs are perceived as susceptible to hacking, and people can use the information to harm the company.
In support of what David taught me about "as people and companies use computers for more personal and business activities, the impact of security breaches increases, as does the lure of breaching security. An individual may suffer tremendous trouble, stress, and financial loss if a personal computer or company account is compromised" (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019, Section 8.1, Para. 4).
References
Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2019). Computing technology for all. zyBooks.
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