我们生活在一个物质世界中，我是一个数字女孩。意思是，我在网上大部分购物。而且我并不孤单。
According to普华永道的2016年美国零售总量调查，在线购物是零售革命的中心，主要是由移动设备和购物者在购买过程中对即时信息的需求的普遍驱动。虽然消费者仍然主要喜欢在一家砖和砂浆商店购物，但千禧一代（和我）在网上购物的舒适度越来越大。
结果，围绕影响消费者包装商品（CPG）公司的数字破坏正在浮出水面。但是，重点是提供可搜索的内容并精通社交媒体。一切都与营销有关。那制造业呢？
This topic came up during a recent conversation I had with Doug Burns, director of sales and marketing atLenze Americas，运动控制系统的提供商。根据伯恩斯的说法，为了应对新的购买行为，制造商需要更灵活的设备来容纳不同的产品和包装。还需要实时输入来提供有关正常运行时间，停机时间，预测维护和操作员警报的生产数据和分析的反馈。
Robots, Burns said, are key to obtaining the new levels of flexibility CPG manufacturers will require. But the current set up needs to change to make an impact. Specifically, while SCARA robots are commonly used in the packaging industry, they often operate as standalone units. The robot of the future needs to be tightly integrated with machine control.
With this in mind, about a year ago Lenze expanded its FAST application software with a robot programming module so that it handles control and motion functions holistically, making it easier to integrate kinematics into the overall automation system. The use of standardized, reusable software modules simplifies configuration of robotic movements and integration with machine control functions. This allows machine builders to focus on increasing machine performance, added functionality, and equipment energy efficiency.
实际上，能源效率类别是CPG公司优先考虑的另一个领域。做到这一点的一种方法是通过将自动化从中央机柜中取出并将其定位到机器上的位置来分散控制。
Decentralized control allows a drive package to be part of an enclosure or mounted directly on the equipment, which puts the power at the motor shaft. This provides numerous advantages, including smaller cabinet size, reduced heating within the cabinet, lower requirements for wiring, and faster commissioning.
According to Burns, decentralized motion control can reduce, and even eliminate, the load on the machine control system. Inverter drives are capable of taking over decentralized control responsibilities. An I/O system can be incorporated into the system to evaluate the control signals. An end-to-end network can be established using EtherCAT or CANopen, with access via a scalable visualization concept.
伯恩斯说：“这一切都取决于机器的灵活性，获取信息和可持续性，也就是说，拥有较少能量和减少浪费的系统。”
Overall, the message is that consumer buying behavior impacts manufacturing practices. While I’m shopping the Internet, CPG companies are reconfiguring in the background to make sure they will be profitable regardless if I buy my stuff in the store or online.
