Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration
Downstream machine
Also known as: following machine, downstream station
German: Nachgelagerte Maschine
In production lines, a downstream machine is a machine that comes after a given machine in the direction of material flow and receives its output, directly or through a buffer.
- System integration
In one sentence
A downstream machine comes after a given machine in the material flow and receives its output, directly or via a buffer.
Example
For the filler, the capper is the next downstream machine; for the capper, the labeler is.
How it applies
- Engineering: The interface to the downstream machine usually includes a ready signal, product handover and, where needed, product data such as batch or quality status. Define it together with the supplier of the neighboring machine.
- Safety: When machines are combined into a line, hazards can arise at the handover between them. The responsibility for the assembly of machinery, including these interfaces, must be clear.
- Documentation: Use consistent machine names and flow directions in layouts, interface documents and manuals. “Upstream” and “downstream” refer to material flow, not to the position in the building or the control hierarchy.
Downstream machine vs. subordinate controller
A downstream machine is defined by material flow. A subordinate controller is defined by the control hierarchy. The downstream machine is a peer of the upstream machine, not controlled by it.