Production Traceability System
A part or batch receives an identity on the line, and the process steps that matter are stored against that identity.
- Problem
- When a quality question comes back, the plant cannot show which batch, machine, and inspection result belonged to the part. Paper notes and PLC memory do not answer that reliably.
- Solution
- The station reads or prints a barcode or QR identity and writes a record as the part passes. The record includes the model, the time, the machine, and the checks that ran. Later, that identity can be looked up.
- Hardware
- A barcode or QR reader or a printer already suited to the label, the station PLC, and a PC that owns the database. A camera is used when the code must also be verified as an inspection, as on the machine vision systems.
- Software
- Custom traceability software in C# / .NET or Python, with SQLite or SQL. Labels and lookup screens follow the plant’s batch rules. The software can also feed a simple production report.
- Communication protocol
- The scanner or printer uses its serial, USB, or Ethernet interface. The PLC link is Ethernet, serial, or Modbus, consistent with PLC programming on that machine.
- Data collected
- Identity code, model, timestamp, station, pass/fail or measurement results, and alarm events that the quality plan says must travel with the part.
- Result
- A stored identity can be opened and the recorded steps shown. This page does not name the customer or quote audit outcomes.
Traceability is one use of the logging stack in Industrial IoT. It is not a separate copy of the data-logging project: the difference is that every record is keyed to a part or batch code.