DECEMBER 20238MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSIN MY OPINIONWhether your factory is already on the digital transformation journey and Industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions or just beginning the process, increased productivity, reduced waste, improved worker safety and more sustainable operations are common expectations. Factories often first look toimprove their primary customer value streams or core processes and certainlythis is a logicalstarting pointbut a factory's digital strategy should not end here as many opportunities exist within supporting activities that can have significant impacts on improved production and overall operations. One such opportunityis factory indoor air quality and the industrial air filtration systems responsible for creating and maintaining this air.Air quality may not be anobvious next step for IIoT investments but creating and maintaining a clean working environment through smarter operation of dust, mist or fume collection equipment will directly impact critical areas including employee health and safety, reduced energy consumption and sustainability. Furthermore, factories rarely possess the in-house expertise to fully understand these systems or the available resources to properly maintain these solutions let alone optimize their performance. IIoT presents the opportunity for industry expertise to be built directly into the solution and allow factories to take control of their air.Let's review how the IIoT supported filtration systems will improve factory operations.WORKER SAFETY. Compliance with applicable exposure limits and safety standards is an important component of any factory safety plan. IIoT brings the ability to ensure that the filtration system is functioning properly and protecting workers. Direct measurements near workers breathing zones, ambient dust concentration or opacitylevelscan each be used to activate control systems or alert workers of problemsto minimize the hazard exposure. Additionally, IIoT can be used to measure and track worker's use of contaminant control devices in order toencourage adoption for even the most stubborn employees.The filter's effectiveness and efficiency can be monitored through regular emission monitoring and ensure that the factory remains within their permits or that recirculated air remains safe. Filtration systems not only protect workers from airborne contaminate, theyalso protect facilities from fire and explosion hazards due to combustible dust. In 2018 alone there were over 250 reported factory fires or explosions related to combustible dust that resulted in over 100 injuries and17 fatalities making compliance with global standards such as NFPA or ATEX a critical part of the safety plan. However, the complexity and constantly changing standards also presents challenges for companies to keep up. IIoT can help ensure that standards are being met during everyday operation through algorithms developed by industry experts. Ensuring that safety devices are active and properly maintained prior to allowing a process initiationor that enough airflow exists to sufficiently transport dust through the duct system to avoid dust accumulation within ducts and associated increased fire risk.Beyond just standard compliance, awareness of personal safety and working conditions is greater than it has ever been. Given the competitive job market and broader work-By Travis Haynam, VP Segments, NedermanA SMARTER APPROACH TO FACTORY AIRTravis Haynam
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