Manufacturing automation protocol

A group of computers can become networked once intercomputer communication is established. Prior to the 1980s, all system suppHers used proprietary protocols to network their systems. The recent introduction of standardized protocols is based on the ISO-OSI seven-layer model. The manufacturing automation protocol (MAP), which adopted the ISO-OSI standards as its basis, specifies a broadband backbone local area network (LAN). Originally intended for discrete component systems, MAP has evolved to address the integration of DCSs used in process control as well. TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) has been adopted for communication between nodes that have different operating systems. 

Connectivity is the ability of machines from different functions in an enterprise to connect to each other, even though they might look quite different internally. This problem has been the focus of numerous efforts, beginning with Manufacturing Automation Protocol/ Technical Office Protocol... 

A recent data communications protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks (BACnet), ASHRAE Standard 135-1995, is an important step to ensure that controllers made by different manufacturers can communicate with each other in a simple way, avoiding the expense of additional interface hardware and communication software. 

There are many instruments designed for either enzyme assays or substrate assays using enzymes. Information on the analytical capabilities of these instruments will be supplied by the manufacturers. This will often include protocols for specified assays using kits of commercially available pre-prepared reagents. These may be in liquid or dry form and may, for substrate assays, include immobilized enzymes. The facility to be able to develop additional automated methods on a particular instrument will depend upon its design and some instruments are dedicated solely to specified analyses. 

Standardized staining protocols require standardized reagents to ensure reproducible results. Manufacturers of automated immunostaining instruments may supply proprietary buffers and wash solutions for their instrument, but the properties of these should be within the range of parameters that are used in manual staining. (The primary additives to manufacturer-supplied reagents are surfactants.)... 

Implementing this level of automation intelligence has been the most difficult to realize within manufacturing industries. That is, while automation controls integration of simple univariate instruments (e.g., a hlter photometer) is seamless, it is much more problematic for multivariate or spectral instruments. This is due to the tower of babble problem with various process spectroscopic instraments across process instrument manufactures. That is, the communications protocols, wavelength units and hie formats are far from standardized across spectral instruments, even within a particular class of techniques such as vibrational spectroscopy. Several information technology (IT) and automation companies have recently attempted to develop commercialized solutions to address this complex problem, but the effectiveness of these solutions has yet to be determined and reported. 

System installation in a permanent location may require a sample conditioning system featuring some degree of automation, such as automatic cleaning (the system illustrated above features such a system) and outlier sample collection and the need to interface to an existing control system process computer. The latter may require that the system operates with a standardized communications protocol, such as Modbus, for the chemical industry. Certain specialized industries use different protocols, such as the semiconductor industry, which uses SECS and SEC-11 protocols. A standardized approach designated the Universal Fieldbus is another method/protocol for process analyzers which is being supported by certain hardware manufacturers. 

The test procedures described above (see Basic Protocols 1 and 2) have recently been simplified by utilizing advanced techniques such as ultrasonic and infrared spectroscopy. The purchase of one of these advanced analytical instruments is recommended for emulsion manufacturers that frequently conduct emulsion stability tests and require automated analysis of a large number of samples. 

When computers or automated data processing systems are used as part of production or the quality system, the manufacturer shall validate computer software for its intended use according to an established protocol. All software changes shall be validated before approval and issuance. These validation activities and results shall be documented. 

A complaints management module allows the processing of complaints that are caused by internal, external, or manufacturer reasons. Such systems control all steps involved in management of electronic complaints the compilation of addresses of all participants, detailed descriptions of the defects, communication of actions, recording protocols, and setting deadlines. The system provides an automated controlling... 

Closed automated systems designed for particular tests in an instrument have been developed. They are closed systems because the reagents and IA protocols were controlled by the manufacturer. Examples are the Roche Cobas FARA II , DuPont ACA , and Miles Immuno 1 analyzers. The reagents are expensive, and in many cases the applications are fixed and may not be adaptable for PK and PD study purposes. 

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