One of the primary considerations in integrating machines with SAP Digital Manufacturing is determining which data needs to be integrated and where it will be utilized. It is not necessary to integrate all of the data tags that the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) of a machine provides. Instead, it depends on your use case and your business requirements. Based on that, select the relevant data tags for your integration scenario and focus on your use case.
Another critical aspect to evaluate is the scalability of the solution. As operations expand, the integration must be able to handle the rollout of more machines of the same type, additional plants, and increased production volume. This requires a modular setup that allows for easy replication and seamless integration of new elements. This training provides advice on how to scale up machine integration with SAP Digital Manufacturing. Consider flexible indicators and asset templates. To further enhance the modularity and flexibility of the integration, separate the individual components into dedicated processes that can be triggered independently. This separation allows for more granular control and easier troubleshooting if issues arise.
Simplicity and ease-of-maintenance are equally important for long-term success. A user-friendly production process design with naming standards facilitates easy interaction with the system, while comprehensive documentation aids in maintenance and expansion efforts. Simplicity leads to robustness, which is a fundamental requirement for any integrated solution. The less dependencies you have, the more robust your solution will be. By ensuring simplicity, the solution will also be easy to understand, maintain, and expand.
When implementing SAP Digital Manufacturing with machine integration, it is crucial to take into account the machine cycle time and its impact on the system. Longer cycle times tend to be less prone to errors in network and data retrieval interfaces.
To minimize potential issues, avoid back-and-forth communication as much as possible. Instead, send all necessary data for execution upfront and in bulk. This approach helps in streamlining the process and reduces the likelihood of errors. Additionally, refrain from performing validation checks during the work-in-progress (WIP) execution phase. Ideally, machine integration should operate asynchronously and independently of feedback from any partner system. This independence enhances the overall efficiency and reliability of the integration process.
When it comes to data persistence, avoid storing data in SAP Digital Manufacturing. If data needs to persist, such as Shop Floor Control (SFC) information, it is more effective store it at the PLC or OPC UA server level. This approach not only simplifies the integration, but also improves its robustness.