NPI, Technology, and Application of PLCs - Essay Example

NPI, Technology and Application of PLCs NPI, Technology and Application of PLCs New Product Introduction (NPI) is a process that involves joint products that are new in the market; these products come as a result of an idea from different people, which stages an aspect of mass production due to the emerged final quality artifact. NPI originates from customers’ and clients’ suggestions after a certain corporation realizes that there are customers in need of a given product, thus, creating the demand facet. NPI can also be triggered by technological changes within a given area and competitions from other investors dealing with the same products. When a given company realizes that their products are comprehending competitions from other emerging opponents, the entire corporation within an institution raises awareness of its members and departments which may be out of the business cycle, unites them together and decides to provide another product that goes parallel with what they are doing for the purpose of harmonizing the company reputation. However, new product introduction is a process that needs time management; thus, while the entire team realizes competition, they work promptly to avoid resilience in marketing with an aim of producing a synchronized, qualified and timely fashionable product (Bernstein, 2001). The Role of Computer Aided Engineering in NPI Computer aided engineering in regard to its design, analysis and manufacture creates competence when included in the new product introduction process. As we consider technology globally, many companies worldwide use specialized computer aided software that helps various investors and entrepreneurs to scrutinize the growth of their business, manipulates customers’ feedback and competition within a given region; hence, the essence of effectiveness and time is addressed when technology is instituted within this process (Bernstein, 2001). Computer aided engineering is a process that encompasses the design work of given special software by specific manufacturers with an aim of creating substantial programs that can solve a given problem that people are facing globally. A manufacturer includes, at times, a single company or a group of companies that comes up with a given idea arising from their research, thus, creating software that can be run in a computer based operating system, and this program should meet both their design policies and computer requirements (Russell, 1985). Computer aided engineering professionals are capable of creating sensitive programs using special software. This software is designed in a special manner that can make various analyses within the shortest time possible; hence, certain corporations work hand in hand with computer engineers so that information regarding marketing of their products is monitored closely to curtail challenges that emerge in the global market, within the shortest time possible, thus, providing the best possible solution (Morley, 2008). However, when computer aided engineering is involved in any activity that encompasses new product introduction (NPI), effectiveness in the business is realized. In addition, time management is of high consideration since all the required information is handled with the help of computer programs that are sensible and provide solutions promptly. Meanwhile, when a new product is being introduced into the market, computer engineers are more useful since many end users are unable to grasp all that is behind the new system that has been deployed; thus, the engineer gets these opportunities to educate the end user on how the new system operates and works (Kandray, 2010). Features of the NPI Process An NPI consists of various ideas that are gathered from clients, customers and market analysis. These ideas are kept together and solved with a group of corporate employees either from the same company or from different companies and departments. Then the final product is delivered within the shortest possible time. This final product is expected to be parallel with what the company is dealing with in regard to meeting customer’s expectations. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is an automated digital computer that most of the time is used to control electromechanical machinery mainly employed in various factories for processing services. PLC digital computer is considered as one of the advanced digital machines as compared to general purpose machines since the logic controller is composed of various input and output arrays which, in turn, have been extended with temperature measuring gauges and characterized by less electrical noise enabling the controller to withstand mechanical impacts and vibrations of the entire machine (Michael, 1989). A PLC consists of backup batteries that store special programs in most of manufacturing machines which control the whole process during the manufacturing time. It is one of the machines that manufacture substantial products as per the input condition; thus, the input condition is directly equal to the output product, terming a PLC as a real time system. However, PLC controller nowadays relies on computer programs to accomplish given tasks as a final product. A computer works as an agent to provide a given condition and a PLC takes that condition into consideration to produce the final product (Laughton & Warne, 2003). PLC Main Features A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) digital machine is a flimsy mechanism that needs a lot of concern; thus, the mechanism is expected to be free from moisture, dust, heat and cold and be shielded from severe environment. The logic controller has sensors and actuators that are significant during processing; hence, no alteration on system setting should be expected for it to operate well. The actuators of PLC are of more use since they operate pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, electric motors and relays solenoids that complete the whole system functioning of a PLC mechanism (Parr, 1999). Applications of a PLC in Industry A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) has been more useful for many industries that deal with motion control, positioning control and torque control. Many manufacturing industries believe that and they have ascertained that when a PLC is integrated within a motion control unit, the logic acts as an instructor to a given machine during its movement. On the other hand, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) works as a remote terminal unit in many devices. Finally, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) works as a safety-critical application, especially in the many industries that use dangerous mechanisms (Considine, 1999). Relay-ladder diagram +----------+ -----[ ]--------------------+ Lamp A +---- Button A +----------+ +---------+ -----[ ]--------------------+ Lamp B +---- Button B +---------+ Interior Counter +----------------+ --------------------+ A + B +----------- + Coil Energized + +----------------+ From the above relay-ladder diagram, I realized that this is an automated logic circuit that works as a PLC; hence, it features all the characteristics that PLC has. From the observation, button 1 and 2 act as automatic logic switches that control the whole system digitally. When lamp 1 and motor 1 timer reach zero, the coil is energized automatically. Conclusion In conclusion, the New Product Introduction (NPI) process involves joint products that are new in the market, and these products emerge as a result of an idea from different people, which, in turn, stages an aspect of mass production due to the emerged final quality artifact. When technology is considered in NPI, effectiveness within the progression is realized; thus, the involvement of computer aided engineering becomes important. However, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which is an automated digital computer, acts as an output that processes ideas fed by computer aided programs, hence, producing real time final product on time (Michael, 1989). References Bernstein, J. (2001). Engineering new product success: The new product introduction at Emerson Electric. Los Angeles, California: Oslo Press. Considine, M. (1999). Process/industrial instruments and controls handbook (5th ed.). New York: Industrial Press Inc. Kandray, D. (2010). Programmable automation technologies, United Kingdom: Industrial Press. Laughton, M., & Warne, D. (2003). Programmable controller. USA: Newness Publishers. Morley, M. (2008). Manufacturing automation. USA: Oxford University Publishers. Michael, J. (1989). Real-time control and communications. USA: JTE Press. Parr, A. (1999). Industrial control handbook. New York: Industrial Press Inc. Russell, H. (1985). Designing programmable controller application programs using more than one designer. New York: Enslow Publishers. Read More