Sharapolas

And that is correct. We are indeed not running kubernetes because it is not supported on our hardware and some assumptions were limiting. So we have a new system, but having kubernetes as our ideal.

Hub and spoke is the underlying architecture of the net, but we are achieving mesh like functionality having hub as our central router. The wording might be a bit confusing.

From what you've said semi-automation is even more crucial as the more checks and automations you have the lower the bar of entry for the people on the shop. What a company pays is up to them, but having more options is always for the better.

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion so fast.

Having hired subcontractors from offshore I can tell that there is always a background difference that decrease the value.

Covid has shown that a lot of office work can be done remotely, but that does not mean that all the businesses suddenly will go away offshore. It just becomes a perk of the job.

And, thus, we're close to having machine operators working from their beds :)

Indeed, as you noticed the networking setup is primitive, but for the time being it works for us. Currently, the hub is chosen to be as reliable as possible and nodes at the end of the spokes are prepared for hub down (ie. they stop safely ).

Kubernetes is more than just Docker containers. Having managed small computing clusters for a decade using custom scripts I find that the value of K8s is how easy it is to manage highly complex applications over an array of loosely connected computing nodes. So in my view k8s includes networking, orchestration and principles of how everything should be done and managed to achieve redundancy, performance and stability.

Containers are just a convenience for simple deployment on asymmetric nodes and is only part of K8s.

Very well said. It is also one of those win-win situations where the business can be more efficient and people have wider opportunities.

Being software developers by nature and having got ourselves into CNC we feel exactly the same. It is crazy to us how easy it is to make a dumb and costly mistake.

So we are tackling it one little thing at a time to make operators life slightly less stressful.

We're always open for a discussion so feel free to reach out ( the contacts are on the site of the blog )

With IIOT (industry internet of things) that definitely seems like a possible reality. However, as long as Skynet is controlled by ex-factory workers it will be a promotion for everyone.

Our first steps towards safe and remote machine operation