Helping Durplastics using Raspberry Pi's
Situation
Durplastics was using expensive and high-maintenance industrial computers to control machines and manage stock. These systems were over-engineered for their needs, leading to high costs and frequent downtime due to hardware failures and complicated repairs.
Task
The task was to find a more cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-maintain solution that could perform the same functions of machine control and stock management, without the complexities and expenses associated with the existing setup.
Action
@fervagar and I proposed replacing the industrial computers with Raspberry Pi devices, which are significantly cheaper and simpler to manage. We developed a base image with all the necessary software, applications, and configurations pre-installed, making it easy to deploy and replace devices as needed. This setup allowed for quick replacements. If a device failed, a new Raspberry Pi could be set up in minutes by loading the base image, minimizing downtime.
Result
Switching to Raspberry Pi reduced hardware costs by over 80% and decreased maintenance time by 60%. The system became more reliable, and the ease of replacement meant that production could continue with minimal disruption. This solution streamlined operations, reduced overall costs, and made it easier to scale and maintain the system.