What is machine data analytics?
Machine data analytics means collecting data straight from your machine’s controller, such as counts, speeds, stops, faults and alarms, and turning it into reports anyone on site can read. It is a practical first step into Industry 4.0: no clipboards, no end-of-shift spreadsheets, just an accurate record of what your line actually did.
For small and mid-size manufacturers, the value is simple. You find out where production time is really being lost, and you fix that first.
Free setup and one year included with new machines
Every new Centreline machine currently comes with free data setup and one year of access to the Astara production analytics platform. We connect the machine, map its signals and alarms, and hand over working dashboards at commissioning, so you have data from the first day of production.
After the first year you can continue with Astara directly. The offer is confirmed in your quote.
What you can see
OEE and line performance
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) combines availability, performance and quality into one figure. See it live for each machine and shift, and see which of the three is holding your line back.
Downtime and stop reasons
Every stop is recorded with its time, duration and cause. A downtime breakdown shows which few causes account for most of your lost time, so improvement work goes where it pays back.
Alarm history
A searchable history of every alarm: when it happened, how often, how long it lasted and what was running at the time. Repeating alarms that operators have learned to reset and ignore become visible, often pointing to a worn part or a setting that needs attention.
Output and speed
Counts, rates and rejects by hour, shift, product and day, compared with target. See the effect of changeovers, product mixes and staffing on output.
Preventive and predictive maintenance
Most breakdowns give warning first. Analytics helps your maintenance team act on that warning.
- Preventive maintenance by actual use. Schedule servicing on running hours and cycle counts instead of the calendar, so parts are changed when they need it, not too early or too late.
- Early warning signs. Rising alarm frequency, longer cycle times or more frequent minor stops often show wear before a failure. Spot the trend and plan the repair for a scheduled stop.
- Better spare parts planning. Knowing which parts wear, and how fast, means the right spare parts are on the shelf before you need them.
- Faster fault finding. When a fault does happen, the alarm history shows what led up to it, so your team, or ours, gets to the cause faster.
Common questions
What is Industry 4.0 in manufacturing?
Industry 4.0 describes connected production: machines that share data so people can make faster, better decisions. In practice, for most sites, it starts with collecting live machine data, measuring OEE and downtime, and using that to improve output and maintenance.
What is a good OEE score?
It depends on the process, but many lines run between 40% and 60% when first measured. World class is often quoted at around 85%. The first measurement matters less than the trend: once you can see your losses, you can reduce them.
What is the difference between preventive and predictive maintenance?
Preventive maintenance is planned in advance, on a schedule or on running hours. Predictive maintenance uses machine data, such as alarm trends, cycle times and counts, to spot signs of wear and act before a failure. Machine data makes both more accurate.
Do operators need to enter anything?
No. Counts, stops and alarms come directly from the machine’s controller. Operators can optionally add a reason for a stop where the machine cannot tell on its own.
Can analytics be added to an older machine, or a machine from another supplier?
Often, yes. It depends on the controller and what data it exposes. Contact us with the machine details and we will check.
Is my production data secure?
Data travels encrypted from the machine to the platform, and the connection is outbound only. You decide who on your team can see it.
Support from the people who built the machine
Analytics shows you what is happening. When you need help acting on it, our engineers can connect to the machine through our secure remote access service, or visit under a support and maintenance agreement.
To include data analytics with a new machine, or add it to an existing one, get in touch.