While industry continues to minimize cost and maximize productivity, green initiatives and carbon footprints are top of mind for production lines everywhere. To improve energy consumption in manufacturing, the ROI of moisture measurements should be top of mind too.

By deploying moisture sensing and control, manufacturing can reduce the amount of fuel used for dryers, burners, and other production processes that rely on energy to operate. From raw materials to drying control to QC and shipping, moisture sensors can save energy and reduce emissions throughout.

Moisture sensing and environmental impact

No matter your industry, manufacturing and production facilities have a common need to measure and control moisture on their lines. Without moisture sensing: energy, water, even product is wasted, and that makes meeting carbon compliance targets impossible.

By utilizing advanced moisture sensing tools, like the Finna Sensors OMNIR, manufacturers can calibrate for parameters that assist operators in achieving their product quality targets, reducing their energy waste, and improving their VOC emissions.

How moisture sensors improve carbon footprints

Advanced moisture sensing and control systems utilize real-time moisture data from continuous measurement points across the production line — before, during and/or after.

Depending on product type and its points of moisture measurement, production lines can use their moisture data to reduce energy reliance. By monitoring raw material moisture, active drying times, temperature fluctuations, and other production line processes, operators have the tools to review production, identify issues, and improve energy outcomes with time and quality analysis.

Why moisture sensors are a cost-effective tool for sustainability

If your manufacturing processes consume energy of any kind, you can quickly benefit from the impact of advanced moisture sensor data and control. Here are some of the payback points clients have seen:

• Improved energy yields
• Reduced energy use
• Optimized drying times
• Improved product quality
• Reduced waste outputs
• Reduced production downtime

The next step: reduce your carbon footprint

Every manufacturing line in every industry is sharing a similar need to reduce their carbon footprint. Many of these productions are finding the tools they need in moisture sensors and control systems.

Easily installed on most production lines, moisture sensors are assisting operators with achieving green initiatives and helping to improve fuel efficiency, reduce waste, and achieve regulation restraints.

Contact us for more information about reducing your carbon footprint with advanced moisture sensors and controls that provide a quick return on investment.

The post How Moisture Sensors Improve Sustainability Initiatives appeared first on Finna Sensors.

Stop by our booth (#2335) to see a demonstration of the latest on-line NIR moisture measurement system designed for powder and bulk solids. With thousands of installations worldwide, our moisture products have been used for processing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, minerals, food, paper, wood and tobacco products. Our systems are effective on all types of conveying: conveyors, screw conveyors, pneumatic, drop shoot, or vibratory. Whether measuring powder, granules, chips, pellets or flakes, our moisture analyzers are non-destructive and do not make contact with the product.

Ideal for powder and bulk solids, our state-of-the-art, real-time moisture meters provide substantial benefits:

• Improve quality control by meeting industry standards
• Increase production by improving product flow
• Eliminate product over-drying
• Limits energy consumption with automated control capabilities
• Reduce the number of rejected products, reworks, and scraps

Learn more about our Powder and Bulk Solid Moisture Measurement products:

OMNIR: In-Line Moisture Sensor – Coming from OMNI, meaning “all” and NIR, meaning “near infrared,” the OMNIR is an intelligent all-sensing solution that was created to thrive in a networked world with built-in Internet of Things (IOT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) features. It leverages the latest electronics and software to offer a ground-breaking solution for manufacturers. It is an ideal product for continuous, non-destructive moisture and coat weight measurement on moving webs as well as both flat belt and screw conveyors.

MCPC Lab Moisture Analyzer – Windows compatible, menu-driven system that provides fast, accurate moisture content measurement. The intuitive features simplify the MCPC system proficiency training and the ready-access Help menu provides concise, easy to understand information.

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The IP rating

IP is a value that rates your production hardware for resistance to dust and moisture. For instance, the IP rating on the in-line OMNIR moisture sensor from Finna Sensors is IP69K. That rating breaks down like this:

• IP: ingress protection
• 6: highest level of resistance to solids foreign objects (i.e. dust-tight). Complete protection.
• 9k: highest level of resistance to water (washdowns). Protected against close range, high pressure/temperature spray
  • Notes: The main differences between IP69 and IP69K are the following:
    • The distance for the test nozzle for the IPX9 test is 175 mm, +/- 25mm; IPx9K test is 100 to 150mm
    • For IPX9 test, impact of water is measured in force. For, IPx9K test water impact is measured in pressure.

Combined into an IP rating, the OMNIR sensor’s IP69K status provides reliability for your production line in regards to dust ingress and from high temperature pressure spray.

The IP69K rating also ensures the OMNIR sensor is graded for food preparation facilities, where hygiene and durability combine.

OMNIR is the only in-line NIR sensor that offers its IP69K-rated sensor as a standard feature

Resilience of hardware on the production line is a key metric for success – if your hardware doesn’t work, then it doesn’t provide value. Each production environment benefits from meeting the highest durability standards it can. That’s why our engineering team drove to get our our sensor enclosure certified at the highest possible rating.

But not all of our competitors’ near infrared moisture sensors are rated at this same standard. Most are either IP65 or IP67.

That means you could be buying a moisture sensor that still lacks resistance to high pressure/temperature spray (IP65), or that has only a water immersion rating—no spray (IP67). Both IP65 and IP67 introduce clear durability limitations, and potential maintenance costs, that are nearly eliminated by the more robust IP69K rating. The competitors that do offer a IP69K option can charge up to thousands extra for this feature. Not us – every OMNIR we send out comes standard with a IP69K rating – at no additional cost to our customers.

IEC Standards

IP ratings are set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), who set and monitor global standard for ratings of electrical hardware resistance to solid and liquid particles.

It’s notable that the organization has certified very few moisture meters to the same IP standards now used by Finna Sensors. That’s likely because meeting the global IP standards requires a lengthy and expensive process of testing, oversight, and reporting.

Finna Sensors’ moisture sensors were vigorously subjected to harsh IEC tests that delivered exposure to the toughest environments found on production lines across multiple industries.

The final 13-page results report, provided by the IEC, details the entire process and its granular findings: Finna Sensors’ moisture meters are performing to the highest standards, in this case it’s IP69K.

More to come

Achieving the highest IP rating for its moisture sensor hardware is yet another advancement from Finna Sensors. The company’s dedicated drive to develop innovative hardware and software solutions around moisture content sensing and real-time control is improving production lines globally.

Finna Sensors can help your production line improve too. The right IP rating matters, so talk to us about our extensive line of moisture sensors for use in the hundreds of applications our sensor will work for.

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To help meet that need, we offer Dynalyse’s Densigrader: Dynamic Weight Sorter. It works year-round (even on frozen lumber) to improve production speeds, increase quality outputs and helps you find new market opportunities. Densigrader can even save your budget on the back-end with its limited annual system maintenance and reliable up-time capacity.

It is all in the details, so here are the top five ways that Densigrader: Dynamic Weight Sorter from Finna Sensors will save your budget, and improve your output, no matter the market conditions:

1. All-Season Grading
Our Densigrader lumber sorting technology maintains and reports ongoing consistent weight and/or density readings, and sorting results, through all seasons and lumber conditions: dry, wet or frozen.

2. Cost Saving
By reducing the standard deviation in average moisture content, Densigrader sorts a more uniform product going into kilns, which delivers a more valuable product after drying:

• Unit costs are lowered with a reduction in the volume of wet boards and over-dried boards; more boards meet the target range, leading to higher profits.
• Drying costs are reduced with Densigrader’s optimized schedules and the resulting increase in kiln production times and outputs.
• Maintenance is minimized thanks to Densigrader up-time reliability that reduces cost on the back-end. This is a striking contrast to other systems that can chemically identify species, but require expensive annual maintenance budgets to remain viable.

3. Increase Production
Densigrader integrates directly into your mill production line and helps reduce common bottlenecks to kilns by up to 10%. With its compact installation footprint, it even works in mills with older, smaller or cramped saw lines.

4. Higher Quality Product
Densigrader technology delivers a 5% increase to production outputs by reducing the standard deviation of average moisture content and increasing the number of dried boards that fall within your target range. By reducing the volume of wet boards and over-dried boards, higher profit margins are created for your mill’s product.

5. New Market Opportunity
Finding new markets means building sales growth for your mill’s product and Densigrader can help. By improving the quality and accuracy of board output, and providing a more uniform end-product after drying, Densigrader can help you meet the more stringent technical specifications of new markets. This allows for the diversification of your mill’s lumber product to new markets with fresh opportunities.

We’d love to talk about your mill’s technology needs. Contact us today to learn even more about the features of our powerful Densigrader: Dynamic Weight Sorter. Please reach out on our contact page.

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“Initially Aqua Measure was a small company by design,” LC said. “After being acquired by Finna Sensors, the growth has absolutely exploded.”

Over the years, LC has made a lasting impact on his co-workers. Roberta Castillo, Office Manager for the California office, has been working alongside LC for 15 years.

“When I started, LC was the person that trained me in purchasing and helped me succeed in my role,” she said. “He has always been so supportive and willing to dig in and help no matter where the help was needed. Over the years we have become such good friends and I will always treasure that. It will be really hard for me to see him go but I am so happy for him and wish him the best.”

We are excited to announce that Joe Longoria will be collaborating with LC to step in as Production Manager. Joe has been part of the sensor industry from 1984-2012 working for a company that manufactured instrumentation and sensors for the fluid measurement industry. Over the years, Joe has worn many hats that have led him to his current role at Finna Sensors.

“I see a lot of opportunities here and I am looking forward to getting back into the sensor industry, he said. “Everyone has made me feel welcomed so far and I am excited to be here.”

In his new role, Joe will oversee the manufacturing processes, direct day-to-day operations, and increased production while maintaining current quality standards. LC is also excited about the direction the company is headed.

“The people and company have a really bright future,” LC said. “The marketing and engineering are outstanding, and competitors are going to need to catch up. I have really enjoyed working here for the past 17 years and I wish Finna Sensors the best.”

During his retirement, LC plans to spend most of his time with his 2 grandsons. He also plans to travel with his wife to visit family in Las Vegas and Maryland. We wish LC and his family well and thank him for his commitment and dedication to Finna Sensors for the past 17 years.

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Reducing downtime is a key consideration in production profitability. But how is that done? At Finna Sensors, we’ve found success for mills by developing a customized parts and service plan that fits each site’s specific needs.

No matter the site, the lumber mill environment can be rough on different hardware and components. Over time, the environment can cause components and equipment to degrade or fail. When this happens, the production line goes down and opportunity costs are lost.

With a customized parts and service plan, mills have the option to achieve better system value with a proactive approach to ensuring up-time.

Proactive Maintenance

Production lines lose thousands of dollars per hour in opportunity costs when they go down. That financial loss is where a customized and proactive maintenance plan can save money by improving system value, reducing unscheduled downtime and extending the life of the system itself.

Since all mill sites are different, the opportunity to customize the service package to fit the mill’s needs is a key component of a successful parts and service relationship.

At Finna Sensors, we work with clients to find and address their site-specific needs. We offer customized service visits, spare parts kits, and our online Knowledge Base that provides easy access to detailed product information, specifications and product videos. We also provide ongoing operator training.

Operator Training

With advancements in technology and a natural turnover in staffing, operator training and re-training is an important consideration in a parts and service plan. In every industry, operators benefit from training—and that improves the production’s bottom line.

Lumber mills can consider combining service and training; consider a half day to service your hardware and ensure your systems are running well, and a half day to train operators. This scenario, or one that fits your mill’s needs better, can maximize value and save time for both the mill and the service provider. From the mill’s perspective, no matter the equipment, additional training for operators can be the difference between unintended errors and a smooth, profitable outcome.

Spare Parts

No one wants to shut down production over a cable or a connector that has been damaged by the harsh lumber mill environment. A simple spare parts kit can ensure downtime is minimized significantly.

Just like proactive maintenance and operator training, spare parts kits are customized to meet the needs of each specific mill site. The spare parts kept onsite allow a skilled operator to quickly address the part issue. Downtime in this scenario is minimized because there are no parts to order, and no delivery delays. The production line is quickly back up and running.

Service Options

No matter who your supplier is, make sure you’ve got options. Your supplier should offer parts and service plans, but also be available if you need them outside of any approved plan.

At Finna Sensors, we offer tech support to our clients when it’s needed. With skilled techs located across the United States and Canada, Finna Sensors is ready to respond to your needs. Our customers can reach us online or by phone to start a support ticket and find the help they need.

Along with our tech visits to mill sites, we also offer remote support to our clients. Our Finna Sensors techs are diligent in ensuring the validity, security and safety of all remote connections and commands.

The Knowledge Base

Since Finna Sensors began disrupting the lumber moisture sensor business, we’ve also developed a Knowledge Base, a free, searchable library of information, specifications, pictures and videos of our technology. Here operators can identify parts, review documentation, even watch a video that can help solve problems and find solutions that work.

Convenience and Value

In a mill environment, all suppliers should be providing production operators with convenience and value. It’s the goal to provide both that drives Finna Sensors to ensure our clients can reach tech help in multiple ways.

Talk to us today and discover the convenience and value found in a considered and deliberate parts and service plan. It’s a relationship designed to bring you the most value from every Finna Sensors system.

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Technology continues to transform lumber manufacturing with a focus on process improvement – saving time, enhancing quality, and increasing profit.

With ProTrac Kiln Performance Software from Finna Sensors, lumber producers can now maximize profitability using the industry’s smartest software solution that helps track and control moisture content — and product quality — from sawmill to planer.

ProTrac and Finna Sensors can help you:

• Collect end-to-end moisture data
• Improve grade recovery
• Increase mill profitability
• Identify process issue in real-time
• Enhance process control
• Improve process performance

Using ProTrac Data Analysis Software

ProTrac connects one or more advanced Finna Sensors devices to help mill operators quickly identify what’s going right or what’s going wrong, up-stream in the drying process through the planer. It’s smart software that provides the industry’s most advanced run reports for process control and quality analysis.

With the control of ProTrac, mills can now review moisture at a given point in the drying process and look upstream, based on historical data collected, to find places for improvements in achieving standard deviation expectations in moisture content. That translates to less waste and better grade recovery.

Using ProTrac data-driven reports, mills have accurate and necessary information to achieve accountability and consistency across the entire production line. Now the guesswork is out of the equation, and operators have the data-driven confidence to make lower risk changes in the process that achieve more desired outcomes.

ProTrac for detailed issue management

Moisture content affects cost and profit in many ways. Ensuring increased profitability in modern lumber operations is best driven by tracking and understanding moisture content from end-to-end of production.

If lumber is too wet, or too dry, when it reaches the planer, ProTrac’s deep and detailed reporting, can help operators analyze the root cause of these process issues. Based on ProTrac’s robust data captured in the planer by Finna Sensors’ Transverse Moisture Planer System, ProTrac lets operators dig into the critical problems and quickly find solutions that work.
ProTrac reports can even help operators identify mechanical issues and problems like poor air flow, fan issues, and stuck valves.

ProTrac Integrations

Mills that maximize the value of ProTrac are achieving next level integration, data mapping, analysis, and process improvements. A key feature includes utilizing the power of package tracking through bar code generation, application, and scanning.

Bar code integration enables continuous real time tracking from the sawmill to planer. This ensures operators drill down into the most robust package data to solve issues at the individual board level.

ProTrac also collects inputs from other Finna Sensors hardware integrations, including both KilnScout-Wireless (for continuous) and KilnScout-Wired (for batch) in-kiln moisture systems, to automatically populate ProTrac in real time.

With this added information-rich data from additional points in the manufacturing process, operators can easily run reports that help them find specific and detailed solutions to their wet/dry concerns — from seasonality to package spacing to charge cycle times — to the entirely unexpected.

Is ProTrac right for you?

If you’re drying lumber in today’s market with Finna Sensors systems, it’s an easy answer — ProTrac is right for your operation. These data-driven decision options can drive your profitability higher.

With its suite of smart software features, ProTrac benefits your operation with enhanced performance and improved efficiency. Data reports can help you find savings on throughput, fuel costs, start up times, waste, grade recovery, and more.

In successful lumber productions, ProTrac Data Analysis Software is designed to meet the increasing demands on mill operators, and easily integrates with existing Finna Sensors moisture devices.

Together, these products deliver the information you need to make better process decisions, dramatically reduce operator feedback time, improve drying times, support increased grade recovery, and work quickly to improve your profitability.

The post ProTrac software delivers quick payback for lumber mills appeared first on Finna Sensors.

• Measure moisture or coat weight
• Reduce lay flat and edge curl concerns
• Decrease start-up times
• Eliminate lab tests and product destruction
• Control production costs

What’s Near Infrared (NIR)?

NIR stands for “near infrared,” a scientifically accurate and operator-safe spectroscopic reading of wavelengths. The OMNIR sensor has the most advanced NIR data gathering and analytics on the market, providing real-time collection and analysis of moisture and coat weight.

Specified product data is collected by shining a non-invasive light on the material substrate. The OMNIR sensor, calibrated for that specific material, interprets the returning light energy using an advanced photo detector, intuitive smart software and automation options.

Using Scanframe:Web-Profiling System

What you can’t see and measure, you can’t adjust or control in production. The Scanframe allows operators in manufacturing, such as paper products and food and drug packaging, to automate and move the non-contact, non-invasive OMNIR sensor to a preprogrammed or manually input pattern across up to 20 feet. Rather than just a fixed point, this lets operators see more of the line and allows for time-saving adjustments to control needs and output. Through sensor readings, software generates powerful analytics to help guide manufacturing to find new efficiencies and cost savings in their moisture-sensitive and coat weight applications.

Scanframe is a mechanical scanning innovation designed to traverse the intelligent OMNIR sensor. Powered by a motor and gear system, the OMNIR smoothly glides across a robust aluminum  I-beam (stainless steel option also available), positioning the OMNIR sensor either manually or to programmed measurement location points, for a non-contacting, continuous measure and output of robust moisture or coat weight data.

Controlled through a PLC computer, Scanframe easily integrates OMNIR sensor data in real time and delivers combined output of both sensor position and measurement value. Smart software visualizes results to help identify areas for improvement across a sheeted web. Scanframe includes its own control panel, smart software, and a motorized guidance system to position the OMNIR sensor and collect data as the sensor scans. It can be programmed to move at variable speeds and allows for adaptable motion patterns.

Scanframe Use-Cases

There are several instances where customers ask to capture a broad range of coat weight or moisture readings taken from across the web. Some webs will be applying a curtain coat to cover an entire sheet. While others will divide the profile of the moisture or coat weight readout into different zones across the web. This can be done across clear films too.

Scanframe changes the game for these operations with enhanced collection of OMNIR sensor data. The new information is used to control the cost of:

• Start-up time
• Lab time
• Waste and scrap

The more complex the manufacturing, the more power Scanframe gives the OMNIR sensor. Powerful new efficiencies can be realized in complex manufacturing processes that require multiple stages of coating at many different points.

A use-case example is the automated production of stickers. A sticker can be made with silicone coated paper and an adhesive that gets laminated to a base paper. The final sticker has a print on it, and when you peel the sticker off, the printed coating transfers or releases from that silicone base and that’s what sticks. Get the moisture or coat weights wrong and the product won’t stick, or maybe won’t release at all.

In a multi-stage case like this, the process operator might want to measure the moisture of the base paper or depth of coating on the silicone liner before laminating. They might also want to look at re-moisturizing to ensure the sheet is laying completely flat, or the manufacturer might look to ensure their coatings are evenly applied. No matter the pain point, Scanframe and OMNIR deliver the robust data that these complex production processes require. Together with Finna Sensors’ smart software, the work to find efficiencies and savings across the line, and to help operators produce the best possible product at the best possible cost.

Is Scanframe right for you?

If controlling your production costs, reducing waste, increasing production output, saving time and optimizing product quality is important to you, Scanframe:Web-Profiling System is a smart scanning solution. Scanframe is ideally suited for both narrow and wide webs measuring and optimizing cross directional moisture addition via steam, spray, or reverse-roll water addition by reintroducing moisture back into the sheet or weight of coatings for the measurement of coating deposition thickness, whether it be water-based, UV adhesive or hotmelt.

Scanframe is also designed with a dedicated maintenance “park” position that allows the sensor to be easily positioned off-sheet for roll changes on the line, web breaks, OMNIR calibration or maintenance. With Internet of Things (IOT) in mind, Scanframe and OMNIR are both designed to be connected for diagnostics and software upgrades through a simple internet connection.

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These smart software solutions are enabled through the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The IIoT lets connected machines communicate. And in some cases, when predictive automation or other data-driven triggers are in use, those machines can even make their own decisions.

Consider a production line that automatically shuts down if ideal moisture content parameters are not being met. This data-driven, automated shutdown can alert operators to the production issue and potentially save money on productivity and unwanted capital expense.

Data strategies are your future

No matter how smart your software is, you need a strategy for collecting the right data at the right time. The right data will effectively actuate the software and deliver better results from smart feature integrations like artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analysis through data mining and modelling.

The better your data, the better your outcomes. But data can also overwhelm your automation if you don’t create a strategy to collect, analyze and share it at the right time.

“Too often, a company invests in technology like AI and then searches their operations for a problem to solve,” says Scott Schneider, VP of Engineering for Finna Sensors. “What we’re saying to our customers is, tell us your challenges and we will work to serve up the right data to help you solve those problems.”

Clearly, it’s no longer enough to have the right tools; today you need a strategy to help achieve the most benefit from your investment in smart solutions. But the right strategy can be hard to discern.

That’s why we partner with our customers to effectively implement our sensor hardware and software, and to identify the robust data points that will improve the process issues encountered. We help you wrangle the right data into the right automated inputs for your improved productivity.

How to build your Industry 4.0 data management strategy

If you do it yourself, your data management strategy needs to consider your production pain points and look for solutions to overcome them. You should create a process or model to achieve repeatable outcomes.

Ask questions about your data like:

• Why are you collecting this data?
• Which data will you collect?
• When will you collect your data?
• What data parameters will you use?
• Where will you collect your data?
• How will you analyze it?
• How will you share it across all key functional domains?

The answers to these questions will help to inform your individual process or model for collecting and using data effectively.

Data management concerns

But be careful in your assessment of these questions and with your answers. Data strategies can very often be data-heavy; they have too much info in them.

The key factor to achieving the best results from smart software features is to determine which data to collect and which data to send. Too much data is as detrimental to business as too little. This means data overload is a common problem that can create clutter and reduce the effectiveness of many Industry 4.0 systems.

Avoiding this clutter is one reason Finna Sensors works upfront to determine which issues our customers need to solve.

“We work with our customers to identify their problems,” continues Schneider. “Instead of having our customers invest in technology and analytics that look for problems to fix, we first identify the business pain points, and then we determine which data is required to answer them. It ensures the data collected is the data that’s needed—and the data that’s used. No more data overload.”

Data and technology solutions

At Finna Sensors we thrive on finding smart industry solutions. Good data is clearly a key requirement, but we go well beyond the data collected:

• Our sensor hardware uses only the very latest technology so it’s fast, repeatable and robust.
• Our software-driven sensors allow the hardware to receive simple software upgrades that can prevent ongoing expensive hardware upgrades.
• We also enable out-of-the-box communication – all Finna Sensors systems come ready to network. Why? Because we know our sensors will be connected to other systems, so our software and hardware solutions are designed to make connections, fast and simple. That’s easy on you.
• And of course, we know that our sensors must maintain connectivity to remain cutting-edge and valuable. That’s why we stay on top of the trends to make sure our sensors are able to gather the right data to make Industry 4.0 work hard for you.

Learn More about Industry 4.0 Manufacturing

Read about how a proper combination of hardware and software can enhance your Industry 4.0 manufacturing strategy.

The post Industry 4.0 and IIoT Data Management appeared first on Finna Sensors.

True pioneering in the manufacturing industry starts with data and application-adaptive software that allows enterprises to see “inside” their process, find solutions and be more agile. Unfortunately, much of the focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) today lies with hardware alone. A hardware-only approach can be an expensive investment that dates quickly, and it has innate limitations; i.e., you don’t get alerts that the process isn’t working. You simply get alerts that the hardware isn’t working.

“Manufacturing is fast becoming a tech-forward industry,” explains Patrick Youssi, President of Finna Sensors. “IoT and AI will continue to take over. That’s just the way it is.” Industry 4.0 is here and it’s no longer a matter of if an enterprise will adapt, but where an enterprise chooses to improve and invest that will determine their success.

Innovation for Industry 4.0 Manufacturing and Beyond

Unless AI and IoT investments also offer innovation, updates, and real-time solutions, cost savings and increased production are merely temporary. That’s why manufacturing enterprises should consider investing in and selecting software upgrades that can adapt and improve as Industry 4.0 advances.

At Finna Sensors, we believe that keeping up with the speed of manufacturing shouldn’t end with just adapting – it requires disrupting “normal” thinking, if you want to thrive. By combining the right hardware with the right software, manufacturing enterprises can embrace more rapid change and create even more efficient processes that allow them to evolve, compete and win. We are focused on providing manufacturers with a competitive advantage for the next 10 years, not the next 10 months. This extends the life of the customers’ investments and encapsulates our dedication to keeping up with the speed of manufacturing.

Finna Sensors’ latest sensors not only accurately measure moisture or other constituents, but also pass along key sensor-health information. Sensors will actively monitor multiple points internally (OMNIR: Near Infrared Sensor currently has 19) to confirm their readings are accurate while performing diagnostics to report maintenance needs now or in the future. All of this is the kind of upstream data that is demanded of enterprises who want to meet (and stay ahead of) Industry 4.0 standards.

Using Data to Improve Processes & Push Up-time

Data — a true cornerstone of Industry 4.0 — highlights the different elements of your process and gives your engineers and personnel real-time insights into the quality, output, and speed of your process. That’s why we have made the strategic decision to make all our latest sensors IoT-compatible, therefore creating solutions that let enterprises know what readings mean for their processes and output.

The goal of any sensor or IoT software investment is to make your current equipment, hardware, and process engineering more efficient — based on data.

“Let’s just say someone may be using their dryers at a higher temperature than needed to ensure that the product is absolutely dry,” explains Youssi. “Naturally, this can cause over-drying. Sensors on the incoming product (before the dryer) and outgoing product (after the dryer) can show whether they need to raise or lower the temperature to get their product at the ideal moisture content. These sensors save the enterprise money because they are operating the dryer at peak efficiency, therefore limiting their fuel usage and virtually eliminating material damages.”

Taking it a step further, that data, over time, can be used to optimize conditions in the dryer, reducing product waste.

This is what’s possible with the right software with application-specific data collection capabilities. With OMNIR and other products, Finna Sensors has created all-sensing solutions that deliver accurate data instantaneously and non-destructively.

Smart Solutions

OMNIR and other sensors are sort of like the vehicle for forward-thinking IoT; it’s not just about cost-cutting anymore. Our sensors self-diagnose to eliminate the need for personnel response, self-calibrate for more accurate data readings and alerts, support alarms and notifications for immediate resolution, and enable remote, cloud-based monitoring to ensure up-time and quick responses. But most importantly, Finna Sensors’ products offer real-time feedback and updates from customers. OMNIR and other Finna Sensors’ products aren’t “stationary”: updates are frequent and immediate, as compared to years for many competitors (or, in some cases, non-existent).

“We focus innovation and specific solutions through our software, not just a generic reading or common problem,” Youssi shares. All of this results in a proactive, ever-advancing solution that keeps companies ahead of the curve — and makes an IoT infrastructure worth the investment.

Driven by People

As a team, Finna Sensors has a desire to stay fresh. Keep improving. Adapt. We’re not happy with the status quo. We hire the best software and data analytics experts to drive innovation.

What does all of this mean for customers? Finna Sensors is focused on creating better products for manufacturers and adapting real-time solutions based on clients’ actual needs.

“A lot of companies focus on the hardware,” Youssi says, “but we focus on the people. We create things that help our customers, and we think about how our sensing solutions are used by people to solve problems.” As such, the people we add to our team are chosen based on how they approach solutions with their unique expertise and their desire to innovate — not just maintain.

Companies are spending billions on upgrades, but we want to make sure that our customers’ investments help them make more money, improve processes and increase quality.

“It’s not just a black box,” explains Youssi. “We want our customers to utilize our solutions to realize outsized gains.”

Are You Ready to Get Ahead?

If you want to keep up with the speed of manufacturing and prepare for changes to come, it starts by looking at where you make investments and updates in your business. You need tools, equipment, hardware, and software that are adaptable — because Industry 4.0 is here and it is constantly evolving.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to continuously evolve business through smart innovation,” Youssi says.

Learn More about Industry 4.0 Data Management

Read about how proper data management can enhance your Industry 4.0 manufacturing strategy.

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