M2M Newsroom

M2M communication, automating the quality management system

A quality management system relies on efficient collection of data for analysis, intervention and continuous improvement. Manufacturers are utilising M2M technology to exchange and gather quality data in real time between sensors in the production line and control units.

Automation

Using M2M communication to support production line automation enables manufacturers to acquire and use data more effectively as part of a quality management system. The trend is likely to grow as the systems become more intelligent in gathering data from the sensors and using the data to create reports and other content automatically.

Standards bodies, such as the OPC Foundation, are working to develop open standards so that M2M communication can support automated data exchange between devices and quality control applications from different suppliers, making continuous real-time communication a real possibility.

Open standards

The adoption of open standards in a quality management system will mean that data collected by M2M technology can integrate with other data sources such as a quality database for analysis and reporting. M2M’s two-way communication capability enables a free flow of quality management data between compatible hardware and software to create a plant floor communication network.

Software vendors are increasingly adopting OPC standards, making quality management system software compatible with the M2M devices already embedded in production line equipment and systems.

Wireless

The deployment of wireless M2M communication and embedded systems on the production line is extending the reach of M2M-based quality management. This is important for the manufacturing sector as the recent economic downturn and the trend to lean manufacturing operations has put cost reduction through automation high on the agenda.

Adding more intelligence to an M2M-based quality management system will enable manufacturers to decentralise quality control and allow production systems to make intervention decisions locally and automatically communicate critical quality data.